Any one working with Texas Roadhouse Grill???

Let me know if you have experience or useful info before I enter some discussions to trial for their family night. PM (private message) me. I would like to get this gig.... but not sure how they work their entertainment budget/compensation. Many thanks!!!

Actually, I'm calling a lady at my local Texas Roadhouse tomorrow! She had expressed interest in me doing balloons at their kids night, but I'm going to ask her if she'd let me face paint as well. I'll let you know how it goes.

I think initially she just wanted to offer me free food and working for tips, but I think I'll ask for at least a small amount of compensation. After all, I really don't want the food and it won't pay for my supplies!

WyndyO wrote:Let me know if you have experience or useful info before I enter some discussions to trial for their family night. PM (private message) me. I would like to get this gig.... but not sure how they work their entertainment budget/compensation. Many thanks!!!

I ate at the Texas Roadhouse last night (Metina and I finished up early at her gig). I have friends trying to get in, we always twist up something for them when we come in, and last night was no exception. I even made an engagement ring and got a guy to get on his knees to his wife and ask her to marry him again. The info that we got is that you really have to work both ends, you need to contact the higher ups via the Web site and keep working with the General Managers at the store....That's the advice that we're getting. So far we've got the GM to see how much fun it is to have us there, and he's interested, so now to get some approval from the top.

My only real advise when you talk to them is to let them know that what ever you agree on to start will/or can be renegotiated in 3 or 6 months, If it gets really busy, you will be working harder and using a lot more product.....So it only makes sense that your rates would go up then.

A mix of Balloons and Face Painting is an excellent idea. Balloons are big and showy, and Face Painting is loved by most.

Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

Jenny

You can do a combination of gift cards for food and pay, but make sure that at least half of it is cash. You can always use the gift cards as a give away to "come see you at work" but you should be paid for the job for sure.

Sorry I never got back to you! I've been trying to get a hold of the Texas Roadhouse lady who contacted me, but there hasn't been any response. Ah well, there are other restaurants. I hope you get a better response!

Thanks for the encouragement!!! I was trying to do research and contact someone who has a business that does a lot of Texas Roadhouse in her business. She told me the budget is small but can be negotiated and they typically are open to adding in some food vouchers! In this economy taking the fam for a steak or chicken tender dinner would be awesome OR save and give as a gift! I will let you know how my inquiry goes!

These guys blow me away with the "I have no budget" speech. It is a load of crap in my mind. I had my local Chic Fil e call and want to do family nights and she was going on and on about how busy there were and how much business I could get ect...

I stuck to my guns and told them the best I could offer for a one-night deal is my private party rate, but I would discount them down to $60 per hour if they could agree to a 5 week engagement.

Called me back and said they just didn't have it and they have even had to cut back on employee hours. PLEASE, they just wanted it for free and that is what all of these people are doing.

PLEASE remember gang, these are EXPERIENCED business owners. IF they couldn't negotiate A LOT of somethings for nothings, they wouldn't own a franchise in some of these large resturants.

They are not doing you any favors. Yes you might get a gig or two, but how hard are you really working and spending, when maybe another marketing tactic may work just as well, with alot less effort.

Think these things through. Wyndy and others, how much of your time have you already spent chasing these guys down. Every time you reach out shows our desperation(I don't mean that negatively, just that we are not playing hard to get).

I felt so empowered turning away Chic Fil. I clearly told her that when people are coming through the door for FREE and I am there, this is the mentalily they leave with. Face painting should be FREE. They won't tip me and they aren't going to want to pay for it. (I know this for a fact) And this is not the message I want to convey.

Another painter I know in another town is doing Chic Fil for $40 an hour and is absolutely miserable doing so. So just think it all through to figure out if it is truley worth it!

-Metina