I have been going to breakfast here twice a month for the last 8 years or so... as a member of a small Club, we would always have between 20-60 people in attendance. One main reason we go there is that it is convenient, and the staff member that takes care of our group is terrific!
This past Sunday, two of our members that typically come only for coffee as they are on a very specific diet... they were told they had to order some food to stay... in other words.. a 'cover charge' to just be there. Never mind that they ordered coffee that is just barely drinkable IMHO for $1.99. (Cost to restaurant maybe $.08 per cup) That's more than Starbucks gets for a coffee!
They ordered a salad to go.. that was about $3.50 which got them out of hot water... so to speak.
The staff members that I asked about it could only shrug and say... "We don't make the rules". My guess is that our Club spends in excess of $1100 per month in the restaurant. So... the short-sided thinking on their part should cost them the business in most situations. In this case.. probably not... It will however cost them my business, no matter what the circumstance is.
Bill K.