Denny's Serve Millions in Free Food, Should Other Food Chains Follow the Trend?
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2009
by Ronyae
Writings by Ronyae
At first many thought it could be a hoax, "Who'd give away a whole meal for free?" Well, Denny's did just that and became the destination for billions of Americans on Tuesday, February 3.
It all came during the Superbowl. Denny's produced several ads to be aired during the event, telling Americans that their famed Grand Slam breakfast consisting of pancakes, two eggs, bacon and sausage would be given to 'dine-in only' patrons for 'free'.
Reports show that the website for Denny's had more than a million hits, "There were approximately 40 million hits on Denny's website since the Super Bowl giveaway spot aired on Sunday night..." stated Nelson Marchiolo, Denny's CEO in a press release for the free-food event. And this was said to be the stats by the end of the day on February 3rd. But the proof was in the lines wrapped around Denny's all over America, a little before 6AM through 2PM that day.
This was taken from my vehicle at the Telegraph and 12 Mile Rd. Denny's in Detroit, MI.
Of course, me being one that hates lines and waiting for that matter, just decided on using the experience for freelance purposes; another reason I wanted to make myself believe that I was passing up on 'free' food was the fact that there were more people out there who really could use a free meal (homeless) other than myself....who was I kidding? There were more people in lines for free food than anything else all around the country. And speaking of waiting....some people were in line for free food for more than an hour. I'd figure that if they were a little hungry when they got in line, they were sure enough starving by the time they received their 'free' food.
Denny's promoted this event with hopes to reacquaint Americans on their [Denny's] great 'breakfast' meal deals, including the famed Grand Slam Breakfast meal. I wonder if it worked? Well, it may have worked for the consumers or it may have not, but it definitely put a bit of fire under other restaurants.
Amid the recession, Americans are spending less, causing a fall in the market for breakfast meals. Hence, you will find more and more value breakfast meals in restaurants around the country. You have already seen the deals at McDonalds, Burger King, and soon the Starbucks Company will join in on the deals; Starbucks has been reported to having a 'breakfast pairing' included in their menus soon. Be sure to keep an eye out for it!
With this 'budget-seeking' attitude Americans have taken on, do you feel that more and more restaurants will follow the 'attractive prices' and 'free food' deals?
It all came during the Superbowl. Denny's produced several ads to be aired during the event, telling Americans that their famed Grand Slam breakfast consisting of pancakes, two eggs, bacon and sausage would be given to 'dine-in only' patrons for 'free'.
This was taken from my vehicle at the Telegraph and 12 Mile Rd. Denny's in Detroit, MI. Of course, me being one that hates lines and waiting for that matter, just decided on using the experience for freelance purposes; another reason I wanted to make myself believe that I was passing up on 'free' food was the fact that there were more people out there who really could use a free meal (homeless) other than myself....who was I kidding? There were more people in lines for free food than anything else all around the country. And speaking of waiting....some people were in line for free food for more than an hour. I'd figure that if they were a little hungry when they got in line, they were sure enough starving by the time they received their 'free' food.
Denny's promoted this event with hopes to reacquaint Americans on their [Denny's] great 'breakfast' meal deals, including the famed Grand Slam Breakfast meal. I wonder if it worked? Well, it may have worked for the consumers or it may have not, but it definitely put a bit of fire under other restaurants.
Amid the recession, Americans are spending less, causing a fall in the market for breakfast meals. Hence, you will find more and more value breakfast meals in restaurants around the country. You have already seen the deals at McDonalds, Burger King, and soon the Starbucks Company will join in on the deals; Starbucks has been reported to having a 'breakfast pairing' included in their menus soon. Be sure to keep an eye out for it!
With this 'budget-seeking' attitude Americans have taken on, do you feel that more and more restaurants will follow the 'attractive prices' and 'free food' deals?
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Thanks for sharing! I am sure many appreciated the free meal, what an awesome thing to do. No matter their motive, I am sure people had a meal that day, the otherwise wouldn't have. I really need to get out more, I didn't hear anything about this. :-)Teresa,Thanks for reading; You must not be a fan of football....Well, look at me pointing fingers, LOL. I have absolutely NO ROOM 2 talk! Thanks for stopping by.
One correction; I doubt there website had one BILLION hits in a day, maybe a million, not a billion.I do NOT agree with what Denny did. They should of gave out meals to the homeless and those living in poverty. The event could of lasted over a week if it was limited to those people.Most people can afford food; they don't need it for free.Some people have trouble affording food, they NEED it for free.Gregory,Thanks for the correction. My sources actually stated: "There were approximately 40 million hits on Denny’s website since the Super Bowl giveaway spot aired on Sunday night..."Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.No problem.Do you agree that the food should of been given out to those in NEED of it? Than they could of done that for over a week and actually contributed to the community by helping the homeless and poverty stricken people?Gregory,But of course I agree! And on both points made. But that's too much like 'right' for these franchises...
Ronyae, Absolutely! I am sure of it...when competition puts out something for free, the others will follow....it reminds me of when I was a teenager, (many moons ago), that we literally had gas wars. At that time, I was paying a quarter a gallon. Well, the gas wars began, and before you know it, in some parts of the country, gas prices plummeted to 19 cents a gallon, and by the time it was all said and done, they were giving away Blue Chip stamps and S&H Green stamps that you could stick in a book, and when you collected so many of the full books, you could redeem them for free gifts. Also they used to give away free glasses, cups, and even dishes that you could collect.....do I think other food chains will follow, absolutely!!! Great article, well written and wonderfully informative, Good Job!!!! Your friend in pen.......GaryGary,The stories of those gas wars are continuing! And I definitely remember those stamp books...I better stop before I show my age for sure! LOL.Gary, thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
I had no idea about this give-away until it was history. I did watch the game, but played with my new BlackBerry during the commercials! Nicely done, an excellent piece!Ken,Alright, now. You and Obama must be making some special plans to get us out of this rut! GO KEN! We Americans need all the help we can get.Thanks for reading and sharing your comment...tell Barack hello :)
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