Family Fun Nights - At Restaurants

OK, I'm praying I have Zaxby's... when I gave them the contract they thought it was $60 total, not $60/hr... even though I said $120!?! I'm not sure if it's a misunderstanding or scamming? $60 for 2 hrs seems kindof low.... Advice please?

Hi,i do restraunts and ive had good sucess but i trade my service for gift certificates to eatand normaly because u r advertising with them it will b lower

Ask them if they can give you the other $60 in gift certificates to the restaurant.

I've never even heard of Zaxby's. I thought she was talking about a local restaurant! lol Either way it's awesome but I think that's funny.

I think "family" and "kids" nights are largely based on the management and not the chain. I know ones that have them in my city don't have them the next city over where it is a different general manager.

Misunderstanding.... I typoed the contract & wrote $160 instead of $120. All fixed & good in the world of Family Fun Nights!

Hi Susan, Do you have your phone number or website on those signs that are set up between restaurant gigs? It might lead to someone else calling you for another event.
Danica

chicneek wrote:Hi Susan, Do you have your phone number or website on those signs that are set up between restaurant gigs? It might lead to someone else calling you for another event.
Danica

I wish, but want to keep the lettering large enuf to be seen at speed on the busy hiway.
(sign photos on page two:) My cards are at the register with all info.
Susan

Psalmbook wrote:OK, I'm praying I have Zaxby's... when I gave them the contract they thought it was $60 total, not $60/hr... even though I said $120!?! I'm not sure if it's a misunderstanding or scamming? $60 for 2 hrs seems kindof low.... Advice please?

Linda,
I charged $125 for two hours over a year ago at Fuddruckers and it took just over a year to get a well-deserved raise to $150. I was told receintly by Arla (who has three restaurant gigs) to start low at an introductory price for six weeks, then raise it to what I am comfortable with charging a year from now. The invoice I give Uno is $130 for two hours as the introductory price, which will be $180 after the first six weeks. I charge $100 - 120. an hour at a party here in Northern Va.

That's why I invested around ten bucks a sign (photos on page 2) to advertise my services, which will make a difference wiether the restaurant will continue my services after the first six weeks. I am aiming for getting a customer following before then.
Susan

I made my signs at vistaprint, but have to wait to buy them. I spent my supply budget at Metina's shop just before I got the call from Zaxby's.

I made my signs as vista print but I also made collage posters at the photo center online at Walmart.com

They are only around $8 and are 11x16. If the restaurant will allow those to go up indoors, it might help drum up their normal business from other nights to show on that one.

I finally got around to doing this yesterday with my apprentice, Rudi. We went to a skating rink, a bowling alley, and 4 restaurants. We printed up a flier with samples of our work and this letter:

Face painting is becoming a top form of entertainment and can be a great way to get customers in your doors on your slowest night! Simply advertise that you’ll be offering “free” face painting with the purchase of a meal and families will pour in!

Consider these benefits to you and your restaurant:

*Increased customers on your typically slowest night.
*Repeat business from customers who have an enjoyable experience.
*A fun and exciting family atmosphere which creates happy customers who return weekly!

I propose a weekly Family Fun Night with a Savannah’s Smiles artist offering face painting at your restaurant. It can take up to a month for customers to become familiar with the concept, so during the trial period, we would be willing to accept gift certificates from your restaurant as payment until you determined the Fun Nights are profitable for you. At the end of the trial period, we could meet again to assess the situation and see if it’s something you’d like to continue.

If this sounds like something you would consider, please give me a call at 601-798-7960.

All of our face paints and glitters are high quality and FDA compliant for cosmetic use.  We have high standards of hygiene and safety for your peace of mind.

Thank you so much,
Dawn Vaughan
Savannah’s Smiles Face Painting
www.vhdesign.com/facepainting.htm


Here are our results:

The first place we went was to the bowling alley. The manager was very excited by the proposition (we had painted there several times at birthday parties in the past so he knew our work) and asked if we would be willing to have it as an 'add-on' to birthday parties booked at the bowling alley. At this time he has up to 4 birthday parties a day booked on Saturdays. He's going to call all of those already booked and see if they'd like to add it on to their package, then call us and see if we're available on those dates and times. He's also going to add it for future bookings.

Next, we went to Pizza Hut but the manager wasn't in. We left the flier and told them we'd call next time and set up an appointment.

Next, we went to a small cafe that has an open mic night on Friday nights. We figured if they did that, they might be willing to have a Family Night. The owner was very nice and when she saw our work (we had taken a printed photo book with us) she got very excited. She said at this time they were only open at night on the weekends and they were already very busy on those nights, but they were thinking of staying open for dinner during the week and this would be perfect for one of those nights. She said that as soon as they set up the schedule for opening at night she would give me a call.

Next, we drove out to the skating rink and then to a coffeehouse, but the managers weren't in at either place so we left the flier.

Lastly, we went to the New Orleans Seafood company restaurant which is literally within walking distance of my house. They've only been open for about a month and are only open on Thurs-Fr-Sat but are very busy. The owner was in and he was very excited when he saw the book and said that no, a Family Night wouldn't work there since they're only open on the weekends and already very busy, but they still hadn't had their Grand Opening party and would we be willing to work for that? Of course we would!

So, all in all, I'd say it was a very good day We're going to do it again every couple of weeks and get to 3 or 4 restaurants/businesses. We're doing it mainly to get the word out and make these businesses aware of us. Who knows when they might need us for a special event? We tried to make that the focal point of our conversation... that even if you didn't want us every week, we are available for any special event you might have in the future, and the same deal would apply.

BTW, be careful on putting up road signs outside your restaurants. One that I worked for said yes(or the manager said yes) & corporate saw it & tossed it

I have been painting at rudys drive in the past 2 summers. fromr june to the middle of sept.. every tuesday.they have a car cruse night.. even some thursday when they have motorcycle night... I have just spoken to another restaurant here and start painting there every other tuesday during the winter months here is wisconsin...Im looking forward to the new people i will be painting...
wish me luck

YEAH!!

Just an update on my restraunt gigs..Fazolis from Sept to May,,every tuesdays..the food and the tips are great..second year going strong..during the summer they change nights to monday to accomidate my other restraunt that I paint at during the summer..Rudys Drive In..they car hops on roller skates...I paint every tuesday from june till sept...and every 2nd, 3rd and every 4th thrusday night for motorcycle nite..tueday is cruise night for cars..going on the 4th summer this year..great place to paint and meet new people and see great cars and motorcyles..my restraunt gigs have been very good as far as free advertisement and great tips along with pay and good food...