Do you think the presence of police in a resaurant hurts business?

Question

I don't mean permenantly, just if they're eating there? My boss thinks it does and it got me thinking, which is why I brought this up. Today, we had a pretty slow night had 3 or 4 tables with 3-4 guests each and two Colorado State Patrol guys come in for pizza. There's your typical Interceptor and a Ford Expedition both clearly marked with badges, beams and all in our parking lot and I didn't have any customers come in while they were there, lol! Everyone already there had finished and left about 15 minutes after they arrived. They were sitting there for, like an hour and a half too and were the only ones there for the longest time! A couple finally came in about 5 minutes after they left. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the business from the local law enforcement, but do you believe it hurts a restaurant's night sales? Would it keep you from coming into a place to eat? Or just a silly coincedence?

Answer 1

Well it only hurts business if the restaurant has criminals, drug dealers, ex convicts, or people who break the law and are generally afraid of police or hate police frequently coming into your restaruant. Police can actually be a great addition to a restaurant. I know many restaurants that give Police men and fire men discounts to keep them coming in. Why? ONE REASON. PROTECTION. If you have cops who regularly eat at your restaurant, you are 90% less likely to get robbed, or grafitti-ed or worse, because the robber will think twice knowing that the cops could come to eat at any minute....

Answer 2

No, I would actually frequent the place more often. Makes me feel a lot safer when I go out to eat.

Answer 3

Yeah, I think it hurts business.

Who wants to eat with cops with attitudes?  Not me.

Yeah yeah, maybe they are nice, but most cops I know were beat up as kids and are now  ready to get even.  Think Eric Cartman with a badge.

Next time tell them the food is on the house if they take it TO GO!