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iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
Hi, In all the wealth of experience here, would any of you say that there are certain kinds of restaurant more likely to hire magicians than others? What are the best types of restaurants to hit for gigs? I've heard that restaurant chains normally aren't good as they normally have set policies and always have to answer to higher management. Are unique restaurants really more receptive?
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
It's probably best to avoid chain restaurants, since their basic policy is set at head office, which could be anywhere.
If they use entertainment, it will probably be supplied by that same office on a rotating basis (among the restaurtants in the chain). The best type of restaurant is an owner-operated business, with a family-oriented clientele. The owner-operator is certainly more receptive, and the customers are there for an experience, rather than just a meal. |
cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
You should also look for restaurants where you would be an obvious benefit.
Remember that the job of a typical restaurants is to get you in, seat you, sell you a lot of food and then clear your table so they can bring in the next one. Anything that delays them clearing that table may be considered bad for business, unless five minutes of you sells a round of deserts. However, long waits in resturaunts are becoming more common. A performer there could help people hang out for the wait. Entertainment might cause people go into the bar for a couple of drinks after they leave the table. Look for places where you know you can be of true benefit.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
SKILL Regular user Florida 145 Posts |
The owner-operator is certainly more receptive, and the customers are there for an experience, rather than just a meal
(thank you Peter Marucci) this is totally true I agree w you Skill
In order to arrive at perfeccion
you must go through the failure Japanese Thoughts |
iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
Thanks for the input guys, looks like it's back to the drawing board for my plans for restaurant work!
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cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
Don't ever let something said in a forum totally disuade you from something you've planned to sell yourself. We're only going to speak from our own experience which will vary from personalities and locations. Many people have been VERY successful with things that they were told would never work.
Rather, take what we say as a barometer of what might happen. In other words, don't be shocked. The only way you will get work in a restaurant is to get out there and do something. If there was a simple solution which worked for everyone no one would be reading THIS stuff. So don't go the drawing board based on what we say. Go based on what you find to be true. Don't be discouraged.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Hold on, ISawThat!
CMWalden is right; what we say here is only a guide, a composite of the whole field. There are, no doubt, many magicians successfully working in chain restaurants. What we suggested is just what may work "best"; not the only thing that will work. Try everything yourself; you'll never know for certain otherwise. To quote actor Dustin Hoffman: "When I'm sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of the old folks' home, I want to regret the things that I did, not the things that I didn't do!" |
iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
Thanks a lot guys! I HAVE already written in to several restaurants, some of them chains, and will be making calls sometime next week. I've got my trusty Restaurant Worker's Handbook, I think it will stand me in good stead with all the great advice here. Thanks once again!
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Bobcape Elite user Rapid City, SD 470 Posts |
I think that any restaurant that you can make your case at it the right one. I'm fortunate enough to have nights at T.G.I. Fridays and Boston's. I'm on the verge of landing a gig at Red Lobster purely because I pointed out to the Area Manager what Red Lobster's Mission Statement reads -
"Delight, Trust and Magic" The result of following Our Compass is the positive effect we have on others. We seek to delight with little pleasures, such as remembered names and constant courtesies. We strive to build trust that we will deliver in any situation requiring judgement and discretion. With attention to even the smallest details, like offering umbrellas on rainy days and unsolicited words of encouragement, we work hard to create a certain magic around Red Lobster. Our Compass reminds us that Red Lobster is great food and fun. Our passion is hospitality, over-the-top performance and creating a legacy of greatness that endures and prospers for generations." This was pointed out to me by Jason at Hocus-Pocus. All I'm suggesting is, don't over look chains, it might be a good fit for you. Bob.
Be Amazed! + Enjoy The Magic!
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Jason London Loyal user Napa Valley 207 Posts |
Greetings,
I wouldn't give up on looking into working a chain restaurant. Some people say that they won't hire magicians, that's nonsense. I'm about to land a table-hopping job at an Outback. Outback has a huge chain of restaurants. Bob is correct. I have worked in two different Red Lobsters. I have worked the one I am in now for a little over a year. The one before this for almost 5 years. Sometimes chain restaurants do have the name "magic" to describe what they want guest's to feel when they come into eat. Do your reasearch about the restaurant you want to work in. Find out all you can. Then, when you go talk to the manager, you can tell him a little about the company. When I went into Red Lobster to speak with the manager about table-hopping, I made sure to mention delight, trust, and magic. However, like Peter Marucci, Scott Guinn and many, many other folks here have mentioned before, make sure you have a good solid act.
Jason London
This space for rent |
Eight Spades Elite user Ohio (northwest) 482 Posts |
Pick one with a really fun atmosphere. Sports bars are great because it's easy to break the ice! Not to mention you can get a decent crowd.
-Christian
"Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained." -S.H. Sharpe
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Isramagia Regular user Bayamon, Puerto Rico 114 Posts |
I work in the Fuddruckers chain here in Puerto Rico; they saw me in Pizzeria Unos. If anyone is visiting the island, drop by and let's share some magic together.
Izzy
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iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
hmm, it's interesting how little resistance i just got from the manager of a Pizza Express outlet here. I'll be meeting him next week to show my stuff. And i was treating this first application as a throwaway...how weird. Thanks a lot guys, i went ahead and wrote to chains anyway, together with owner-run restaurants. Ironic that a chain is the first to want to see me.
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
All the Damon's in my area hire Magicians.
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
i agree with peter.....dont tell him though ..ok...chains suck....you will be kicking butt....the manager loves you...BAM!!!...he gets fired..new guy comes in...and you'rew gone.....then theres the stupid manager...working a applebees in elmira ny....i get hired...i do my first night..everything is great...go back the next week....3 tables that had seen me came back and brought friends...so i walk up to the....FEMALE manager... and i say, proudly...hey look it...those 3 tables came back to see me..they were here last weekend and brought there friends back to see me...great right?...nope...she says to me..."well we wanted you to bring in new business"...duh...those perople would not have been there if it weren't for me...but in her mind....it wasn't new business...so there ya go...chains suck...like pete says....family owned for families...thats what you want...you will develope a relationship with hte owner...and you will keep that job
koz |
iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
hmm...i'm currently just looking at taking anything i can get really. There aren't that many family owned restaurants that I'd like to perform in and can afford me, AND are available in my area. Guess I'll just have to keep trying.
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Great Domino Special user Canada 545 Posts |
I think you could also try on-campus bars as the crowd is more or less your age. The people are also out for a good time and very aproachable(?) to say the least. It works for me.
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