Free seems to be the new discount
I first noticed it a few months ago. More and more restaurants—especially the chains—offering special deals. Two-for-one offers, $5 off coupons and then we hit the jackpot—free.
In the last few weeks, Kentucky Fried Chicken handed out their new grilled chicken, Arby’s invited everyone to stop in for sandwiches, Sonic offered floats, Wal-Mart made ice cream available—all for free. Online I saw an ad for a free milkshake from participating Wendy’s restaurants in Miami. Even giants like candymaker Mars are getting with the program. A bona fide chocoholic, I recently received a coupon for a free Mars candy by mail after registering online in their free candy promotion.
Even local entrepreneurs have gotten on the bandwagon. Not long ago a car detail shop near my office in Decatur put out signs in front of the business promoting free car washes.
Giving something away for free at a time when folks are inclined to clutch their cash a little tighter makes good sense. If done right, it gives the business exposure to new customers as well as bringing back others who may not have stopped by in a while. These potential customers may be persuaded by the product or service to return as paying customers.
I have to admit that I hadn’t been in a Ruby Tuesdays restaurant in years, but when their buy one entrée/get one free coupons appeared in the Sunday newspaper in the spring, I made a beeline to the eatery. Since then my daughter and I have eaten there several times, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the updated décor and new menu items. When the coupons stop, I’ll likely keep going now that I’ve become a fan of the restaurants.
Getting something for nothing is a sign of the times and hopefully before too long, the economy will improve and the proliferation of freebies will slow down and eventually cease. I would much prefer to see more of us with money in our pockets to buy a meal rather than a pocketful of coupons.
Until then, I’ll continue to clip the special offers and show up on the special free days.
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