Help! What do you think of my concept?

[DayTrader]

What do you think of this idea?

With a lot of competition in the market, I believe one has to offer a unique concept in order to compete with the others. With a lot of restaurants offering steak, I thought of something unique, but would require more service and hard work on my part. What do you think of customers choosing the flavors for their steaks? They have the choice whether they want it hot and spicy, sweet or garlicky. This way, individual cravings may be satisfied.

[Stone]

I think this is a great idea DayTrader, anyway you can stand out from teh croud it is good, this could be a great USP

[JKansas]

I like it as an idea. Hu Hot and Ghengis Grill let you get very involved with your food prep. My questions for you is as a resturanteur, can it work for you? I don't know the innards of cooking steak, just eating it! Is the sauce added anytime, or does it need to marinade? If it needs to marinade then you will have to have each cut of meat (if you offer more than one) marinating in each flavor and enough to not run out too early. Can you schedule around this to prevent waste? Would you have to change sides to compliment those different flavors or do you already offer their complments?

I think it's an interesting idea in what to me has been a fairly traditional type of food. Make the flavors unique enough and I think you will definitely have people coming back to try each one!

[DayTrader]

JKansas, the different sauces will be available for choosing. The flavors are added in the cooking, so no time will be wasted for marinating. It will satisfy different taste buds. There wouldn't be any wastage on the sauces because it will be made only after it is ordered. If the customer wants extra spicy, we will add more spice.

[JKansas]

I wasn't trying to be patronizing if that's how I came off! I really don't know the restaurant side of steak! That sounds great then on your side. The biggest part of the implementation is goign to be the marketing materials. I would consider the cost or feasability of having a sampler of the sauces and let a table sample the sauce before they choose. It's easier to taste then explain and it might convince someone thinking of going with a cheaper item to go for the steak. Just some thouhts, otherwise it's great that you're thinking of ways to set yoru business apart.

[Southern_Lenders]

I like the idea but it might be too easy for competitors to copy ? Is this a white tablecloth type restaurant or a family joint? I had an idea for something similar if you want to PM me. Or I can share it with everyone, it dont matter .

[littledragon]

Great idea, many other similar such eateries have the same basic concept (nandos etc) and seem to do well so best of luck with it all. Made me hungry now! LOL

[DayTrader]

We have special ingredients for our sauces. That is our secret that I think is not easy to copy.

[Dada]

I love steak and like trying it with different sauces..etc so steaks with different flavours sounds like a great idea, garlicky. maybe bbq flavour, sounds like a good idea

[goldie]

The different tastes are different products! You don't ask the customer which taste they want, because you're limiting the product line to one. You list the different steaks as different products with a differing price for each.

[DayTrader]

The different tastes are different products! You don't ask the customer which taste they want, because you're limiting the product line to one. You list the different steaks as different products with a differing price for each.

We added this concept because we want to satisfy our customers craving. I don't think it is limiting because, there are a lot spices available. Today, they may crave for something spicy and the next day sweet and tangy. It's their call.

[PressEgg]

Just a thought about how you can offer this to your customers - and make it really easy for them to recognize that by coming to your restaurant - they are getting a huge "benefit" by choosing your steak house over another. Use a "Build Your Steak" notepad that can be sitting on every table - as a separate ordering device - apart from your menu. Some mexican restaurants use this for build your own burrito, etc. Use check boxes - Step One - Pick your Steak, Step Two - Size of Steak, Three - Add Flavors & Extras (cheese, mushrooms, etc), Four - Top if Off (provide a small selection of complementing sauces - to make the steak even more "customized") People love these little notepad ordering systems - plus your new offering won't get "lost" in your regular menu!

[DayTrader]

Just a thought about how you can offer this to your customers - and make it really easy for them to recognize that by coming to your restaurant - they are getting a huge "benefit" by choosing your steak house over another. Use a "Build Your Steak" notepad that can be sitting on every table - as a separate ordering device - apart from your menu. Some mexican restaurants use this for build your own burrito, etc. Use check boxes - Step One - Pick your Steak, Step Two - Size of Steak, Three - Add Flavors & Extras (cheese, mushrooms, etc), Four - Top if Off (provide a small selection of complementing sauces - to make the steak even more "customized") People love these little notepad ordering systems - plus your new offering won't get "lost" in your regular menu!

Wow, this is great advice. It will also save a lot of our server's time waiting on customer's order. Thank you very much. I appreciate this a lot.

[Biometrics]

Sounds excellent, I would suggest doing a poll of some sort to get real market research before putting all that effort into it - easier to tweak earlier than later. Or some interesting sides, such as spicy horseradish - maybe could make it about the "accessories" to the steak instead of the steak itself - or test multiple options via taste test audience and/or polls (and the price point too).

[EMPeiTQ]

I wish the local steak house let me pick the flavors... Whats the address to your joint?