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Magicjg Elite user 477 Posts |
I'm considering a few different types of restaurants to call. Has anyone had any success with the pizza hut chain and is it worth it? Also, has anyone had any success with Outbacks, lone stars or any other big chains? I' having a hard time finding smaller restaurants to work at. Most of the ones in my area are large chains. Any advice?
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Bill Hoffman Loyal user 297 Posts |
I have worked for both outback and lonestar. Payment comes from corp. takes about 2 weeks and they change managers every 4 months it seems, so they both are a huge pain. Other than that I like Lonestar better cause they have 2 kids nights!
Never tried a pizza chain. Buffalo Wild Wings has performers in most locations check with them. I have been at a BW3 for over a year now and they are the best staff I have ever seen.
MagicBH@Gmail.com
<BR>http://billhoffmanmagic.com |
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Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
Buffalo Wild Wings is good for table hopping; I know two magicians that each work a few. Unfortunately, for me, the one in town has a band already. At least I still have Carlos O'Kelly's.
(Anyone have any luck with Bennigan's?) |
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Magicjg Elite user 477 Posts |
Buffalo Wild Wings? Really? I would have never thought that. I went to Lonestar today and talked to the manager. He seemed really interested and told me that he had to talk to his regional. Is that a good thing? The guy basically said he worked in Florida managing one there and the local clown college would always have people in to work. He seemed to like the idea.
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Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
I've never had much luck with the regional part. I went to a country-kitchen style place where the manager was very interested, it got shot-down at regional. Regional also shot me down at four or so Ruby Tuesday's and TGI-Friday's. However, I did get corporate approval for Red Lobster and On the Border, but the local managers nixed it, so it's really hard to tell sometimes.
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Bill Hoffman Loyal user 297 Posts |
Regional usually means no, However...
You need to sell your self to regional, not the GM doing it for you. I have never got a job when the restaurant mgr. has to talk to his boss about it. You know your show, you know your skills, you know what you can add to the atmosphere, not the manager. If you you can talk to the regional manager than you have won half the battle.
MagicBH@Gmail.com
<BR>http://billhoffmanmagic.com |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Generally, the local manager gets a part of his pay (bonus) from the amount of money saved, so the less the location spends, the more he'll get. He/she will usually shoot you down for that reason.
I've been working Pizza Huts for almost 12 years now. Started with magic on Friday nights at one location, eventually was Friday nights/Sunday buffet and Tuesday nights (Kid's Night) at 8 different locations around. Now, due to the fact the corporate part of the chain has new owners...they're all cutting back HARD. I may have to try a Buffalo Wild Wings and see what happens. Steve |
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
As a short management lesson for those new to the corporate world, understanding real management versus nominal management is extremely important.
One of the easiest ways to identify a manager is that he/she makes real decisions. For chains this is nearly NEVER at the store (restaurant) level. The top ranking employee at the store level is normally a supervisor and not at all a manager. The titles mean absolutely nothing. (They are cheaper than pay!) The district manager is typically the lowest level of management that can remotely make a policy decision even for one store. That also means that it is the lowest level of employee in the company that can hire anything but direct replacements for existing personnel. If the store (restaurant) has no current magician, it is very unlikely that the local store manager will even pass along your information much less stick his neck out to hire you. He simply is not in the loop either. He/she does not have the authority. Start your "hire me" pitch with the district manager. Circumventing the local store manager is not going over his head. It is just not his job. Of course, once you're hired he is your supervisor but no more a manager than he ever was. But don't forget he is your boss. (Very very few people on earth work directly for management. In real business it is considered a waste of management talent.) You don't want enemies at either level. But applying to the wrong one makes you all look bad. Applying to the right one gets a decision. Until that happens you won't be employed. Good Luck on your search. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Wow, thanks for the object lesson on restaurant hierarchy Bob... makes me glad that I've always worked for independents with either a sole proprietor, or at the most, a couple of partners. Much easier to find and make a deal with the bottom line person in those types of establishments.
I'm finding that trendy, jazzy, jittery little coffee shops are becoming more and more in vogue and subsequently a more profitable gig than they used to be. If you peel away all of the Starbucks (typically too loud, busy, and bright imho) what remains is a wonderfully diverse group of independently owned / operated shops. It's just a matter of finding the right place, with the right atmosphere and people. It must have a healthy clientèle and pretty steady stream of business on the nights on which you plan to work. Typically they're dimly lit, the customers are open and easily approachable, and the owners are more than happy to have something that makes their shop stand out from the others in town. These are the same features and benefits that make working in barrooms and taverns so appealing to me, with of course one big difference... no booze I'm doing all coffee house stuff now... partly because I live in a dry town, but mostly because I'm really enjoying the coffee house crowds. It's a very full mix and makes for very fun evenings for everyone. Good luck finding the right place for you. Best, -M |
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INFANTINO New user 51 Posts |
I've found that trying to get work at corporate restaurants (like Applebee's, Bennigans, Fridays, etc) is much harder than family owned restaurants. You can impress the manager at Applebee's but he has to bring it to the corporate white shirts for a final decision. Family owned restaurants could hire you on the spot.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
That is a true advantage!
Bob |
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BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-02-01 08:28, INFANTINO wrote: It's a great perk that family owned restaurants can hire you on the spot, but at the same time they usually do not have anywhere near the extra cash to afford a regular entertainer's rates, or at least not consistently. Corporate restaurants require much more time and effort to get the booking, but if you can manage to do it then you will likely be able to charge your regular rates. This is all in my own experience however, I cannot speak for everyone. |
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
The other advantage of working with the corporate chains is that there may be some opportunity of getting in with the advertising agency for the firm. Hit ads pay better than hit CDs.
Bob |
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MAKMagic Special user I got banned for one of my 555 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-28 16:41, Mike Wild wrote: Mike, Are you really finding coffee shops that are paying you regular rates (or rather, regular table hopping rates - i.e. 100$ for 2 hours weekly for the next couple months?) I just can't imagine coffee shops...even big corporate chains like Starbucks, having enough clientel sitting around at the tables to be able to constantly perform for 2 hours. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but I've seen even NYC Starbucks a 10:00 - prime coffee time, with 50 people in line but only 3 people sitting at tables. I just don't see where you'd get a paid gig at a coffee shop and on top of that, if you did, that there'd be enough clientel hanging out for it to be worth it to the place. Give us some more detail....I may be way off and this could very well be a good spot a lot of us are not covering in our areas. Thanks!
.:Michael Kelley
On the Level, By the Square |
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Just thought I'd bring this back to the top, as there is some really good information in this thread that deals with whom to talk to, etc.
Just my opinion. Steve |
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Justin Impossible Veteran user Distant Land Of Shmooo 328 Posts |
I enjoy family bars that allow kids, sort of like Bully's, but family owned! Joe's Crab Shack as well as that is a guaranteed in!
Peace J
Justin Impossible
www.justinimpossible.com www.facebook.com/magicianjustinimpossible A pretty assistant is the most effective form of misdirection. |
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Spydur Special user PDX, now San Diego...back to PDX 966 Posts |
You can work the Crab Shack, however MOST of them will only want you to work for tips as corporate does not want to pay for entertainment. I have talked with three of them and they all have said the same thing.
On a side note you can make good tips there, if you let the guests know that you are working for tips. You can do this subtly. I once made $60 off one table. The lady kept throwing $20s at me wanting to see more. You gotta love the Bar. |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I've worked both local mom and pops and big chains. For me the best overall was to get a local chain--they have about ten restaurants in southern Idaho. I worked four of them every week, and a fifth once a month. The others were too far away. Big enough to have multiple locations (more nights, more money, more exposure, more private bookings), but small enough that I got to speak with one of the owners. He wanted me in, and he called each store manager and told 'em what nights I'd be there and when to put out my table tents and lobby board.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
It really is about establishing relationships with the management. I have worked corporate , family owned, chains & proprietorship restaurants. I have been paid at Joe's Crabshack, Outback, Applebees, Chilis, Roadhouse Grill, Casa Casa Gallardo and most any restaurant I work, I make it a requirement.
A proprietorship is a restaurant where the general manager is a a managing partner. Meaning he is the owner and makes all of his/her decisions. They may throw it off by saying it isn't company policy, this is a rues. Outback, Chickfila, & Carrabas are all these type of restaurants. I did do pro-bono work after 911. My 3 day resort fired all entertainment and half the the staff. The month before I lost another restaurant. I was down to one 2 day a week restaurant. Business was awful. I contacted my friend that was now the district manager of a restaurant chain. I asked to work, he said he could justify the cost in light of economy. I made him an offer that I would work as many restaurant he would recommend me for. I said yes, with the stipulation that once business picked up again I would be asking for money. Did this for 6 months asked for money 3 dropped one I picked up for 5 years.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Justin Impossible Veteran user Distant Land Of Shmooo 328 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-24 02:12, Spydur wrote: I do work for a hourly rate, you just need to establish the relationship and your in! Peace J
Justin Impossible
www.justinimpossible.com www.facebook.com/magicianjustinimpossible A pretty assistant is the most effective form of misdirection. |
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