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andrew martin Veteran user 394 Posts |
I was wondering how business is in other parts of the country?
I'm down to two restaurants a week. I had 4 restaurants .One did cut backs and other ,well, got in trouble by the law. |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I think the restaurant biz is always in a state of flux regardless of where you're at. It's the nature of the beast...
I lost my Tuesday Night gig a back in August...but that was my choice. My new daughter was going to arrive in October and I wanted to be home one extra night a week. I've been contacted by a couple of places who want me to come out and perform for them during the week, so now that life is returning to normal around the house, I will likely go see what's going on. A nice change of pace when it's "I" who get to audition the restaurants for a change...lol! Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
andrew martin Veteran user 394 Posts |
Very nice Christopher. good for you.
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-19 10:55, andrew martin wrote: I think overall not AS many restaurants are willing to take the risk of hiring an entertainer (I say "risk" because right now almost every business is weary of spending). However, by no means do I think no one will hire. I have been in the market for a new place for a while and got many no's from people, when I think 4 years ago would have given an absolute yes. I just picked up a new place, and it wasn't because they have money to burn on entertainment; it is because magic is a great fit for their bar. So overall, yes I think there still is a lot of work to get, but this economy seems like it is weeding out the places that don't put real value on having good entertainment (not to say their restaurant is bad, but that entertainment just doesn't fit). The people who are still hiring are the ones that know that magicians can make a great addition to their restaurant or bar. |
Lou Cirulli Special user 587 Posts |
Aside from my Wednesday and Friday gigs I just picked up a Thursday night someplace else as well. I just have to get a new poster made so they can display it as I don't look like my previous poster anymore!
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Congratulations Lou! That's very good news. I'm glad to see you're doing well.
Andrew, about a year ago when everyone in Southern CA was complaining that nobody was hiring at restaurants, I received a call from a fellow magician. He was asking for advice on how to book a restaurant gig. After talking to him for about an hour, I didn't hear from him for a few weeks. The next time I talked to him he had booked three restaurant gigs. Even though it might be harder to book a gig, the work is still out there for anyone that is willing to go after it. Lou Serrano |
hefemexy Elite user 434 Posts |
Hey Andrew I'm right down the street from you, so I know what you mean, just recently lost one of my gigs on wed nights. A way I have readjusted with that is performing once a month in the place as a dinner theatre. Cost restaurant nothing or should I say minimal and I and they bring in people. I still make about same or more aa if I did it 4 times a month. $35 to $40 a ticket 50/50 their 50 pays for meal my 50 pays for me lol. That has been working well here in Louisville, don't know about other cities. It's been going on now for about 1 year I average about 30 to 40 ppl sells out, it's in the banquet room there's a review that was written up here on Café
Okay, I give up what was your card?
https://www.facebook.com/lionsmagic Look nothing up my sleeves, but you're not wearing sleeves https://www.facebook.com/lionsmagic |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Andrew...
If you haven't done so already, you might read the thread that is a sticky at the top of this forum: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......rum=5&23
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
I picked up a new weekly restaurant not a month ago, and had to turn down another that wanted me because my schedule is absolutely full. It just depends on the individual restaurant owner and your ability to pitch them the concept. Stick to locally owned restaurants instead of corporate chains of course.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-20 10:23, BrianMillerMagic wrote: SPOT ON!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Agreed the chains want to fill space and have you work for tips!
privatly owned restaurants will be a much better resource to be booked at. I don't think any chain has ever booked me but over the years many single owned places took me in and it has been fun I only do one restaurant a week now as I do many more stage illusion shows around the area and across the country so I don't want to be out every night I did that for 4 years and rather not go back to being out all the time good luck to all and have fun sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
I've been hired by a chain restaurant on several occasions. The first gig I kept for three years through several changes of management. I finally lost the gig when a new district manager was hired and wanted to shake things up. The second gig I worked for a year, and I finally quit because the clientele wasn't up to my standards. I ended up giving that gig to another magician. The third gig I kept for three years. As my fees for private events went up, I basically priced myself out of the range of the typical clientele for that restaurant, so I quit and moved on to greener pastures.
The nice thing about chain restaurants is if you can get booked at one, there's a pretty good chance you can get booked at another location. I have a friend in So. CA who is currently working three TGIFridays. Another friend of mine works the restaurant in a Hilton Hotel. He's been there for about 15 years and he is constantly in the eye of clientele that has the means to hire him for high-end events. I wouldn't rule out a restaurant just because it's a chain. You might have to jump through a few more hoops to land the gig, but if you really want the gig, why let that stop you? Just food for thought. Lou Serrano |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Lou, I wouldn't rule out a chain either. I worked three Applebees locations across Western New York for about 3 years. But if you're trying to find new work, chains will put you through the ringer and you'll have to go through local, regional, and often national management to get the okay, as I know you know. Thus my advice to someone looking for a new gig is go to a locally owned restaurant, where the owner is there and has the authority to just say "yes" and pay you.
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Brian,
Everything you say is absolutely correct. Privately owned restaurants are far easier to book. By the way, I love your videos. Highly entertaining! Lou Serrano |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I can't really add anything to what Brian or Lou have said other than to again say that my opinion is to STAY AWAY from corporate owned places. Work for places that are either privately owned or franchised. There is way too much red tape to cut thru to get a gig at a corporate owned restaurant and they are extremely hard to keep.
I have worked for a few in my day and it took me forever to book and I was never there for longer than a year. One place I worked for 3 months and the restaurant got a new district manager who came in and told the restaurant manager to fire me b/c they felt that Magic wasn't a good image for their "christian organization." The Restaurant Manager didn't want to let me go but had no choice. Another time, I had worked at a restaurant for almost a year. Understand that I worked this place for a good 5 months trying to land the gig and my hard work finally paid off. However, there were always issues with being paid on time, them always trying to get me to work for tips only, on and on and on. In the end. I survived 3 management changes at this restaurant (in less than a year) and on the final change of power, the guy let me go b/c he was a hobbyist and figured why pay a professional when he himself could walk around during slow times with a TT and a Svengali Deck and do magic for free. You've got to remember that in the corporate arena, EVERYONE has a boss and nobody is ever empowered to wipe their butt without asking permission. It's not worth your time trying to book one...trust me on this. Yes, there are obviously exceptions, but it's just not worth it and trying to keep the gig is a nightmare. Sticking with private owned or franchised restaurants are not only easier to book, but far easier to keep. You've only got one boss (in 99% of all cases) to deal with and life is good. However...just b/c a restaurant is a CHAIN...doesn't mean their corporate owned. Many chain restaurants offer franchises which are just as good as a Private Owned restaurant. Again...check out my thread above for more information on this... This April will be my 2 year anniversary at my Monday Night Gig and this May will be my 9 Year Anniversary at my Friday/Saturday/Sunday Night gig. My weekend gig is a privately owned entertainment restaurant and my Monday Night gig is a franchise. Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Andrew Morse Regular user Corvallis, OR 157 Posts |
What's the difference between a franchise and a corporately owned restaurant? Is there a good national example of each (Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays?)
Thanks |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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