The Veto Vote
Both houses of congress can spend months deliberating a bill on the most important issues our country faces. It takes tons of research, thousands of man hours and many committee meetings to get a bill through both the Senate and House. However, one of the smallest words in the English language takes about one second to stop the bill from becoming law. That word is “NO” and it can come from the President when he refuses to sign legislation when it reaches his desk.
When a group gets together to make a dinner choice for the evening, generally there is discussion, negotiation and lobbying for the restaurant of choice. Each of the participants makes their case. There is a little give and take until the final consensus is reached. Then there is one voice from the group that uses their veto power – “sorry, but I am allergic to seafood” or “I am on a diet and their menu doesn’t have anything non-fattening” or “we just want a sandwich, not a big meal”. The process begins again!
Restaurateurs need to remember the power of “NO”. Every menu design has to eliminate as many veto votes as possible. Of course, you cannot be all things to satisfy all people, but you can highlight your flexibility and creativity from existing menu items. Fish and chicken can easily be broiled or poached. Gourmet sandwiches can be offered from most ingredients. Adding light meat or seafood items to basic salads is a common way to eliminate that two letter word.
Even ethnic and theme restaurants need some variation to satisfy that one person who doesn’t like Chinese, or pasta, or Thai, or Mediterranean, or whatever the group initially decides. Even quick service restaurants have learned. Hamburger chains always have chicken and/or fish. Even Chick-fil-a, the chicken chain, offers bacon and sausage at breakfast and fruit salads at lunch for the alternative taste or health conscious person.
A few words or a couple of menu items can eliminate that most powerful word in group dining – “NO”.
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