Why do restaurants charge more for the same dinners on holidays than ordinary days?

Question

Yesterday I went to a local eatery and was shocked that the usual $10.99 dinner special was $15.99. When I inquired why the price change, I was informed that it was because it was Mother's Day. Is this price gouging?

Answer 1

Yes, but it's legal and there's nothing we can do about it. It's free-enterprise but I think it stinks. Tell them if they're going to do that, you'll find another place to spend your money.

Answer 2

Hi Deb, quite simply ( I would assume) because it was a public holiday and the staff have to be paid at a premium rate to work, (plus possibly they know they will get away with it as no one is going to look stingy in front of their mam.)

Mike t.

Answer 3

Maybe beause the price of the ingredients also boosts up. I don't know it's like the holiday phenomena. Maybe they're gonna have to give bonuses so they take it out on consumers. Or they're really cranky about ging to have to work on a holiday while other people are enjoying great food. I wouldn't know.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, these restaurants can do what they want when it comes to pricing. They can raise their prices on holidays because they know people will pay it. Some restuarants have to raise their prices on holidays so they can cover their labor costs because so many people do not want to work on holidays. So in order to get people to work restuarants will offer incentives for them to work on that day, and we have to pay for it.

Answer 5

Holiday over time be thankful it was not double.

Answer 6

Because basically they can.

Answer 7

they raise prices during the holidays becuase more people go out to eat and they are willing to pay more so the resturants take advantage of this and raise there prices to bring in a higher income

Answer 8

simple supply and demand. It is busier and they know you will come to eat regardless of price.

Answer 9

I work in one of those places. But I don't charge the "special" price, I charge the menu price. All of us girls complain every holiday, and the boss does it anyways. They do it to try and trick the customer. I guess to make more money. It's wrong but I'm just the employee! The boss never says anything about us not charging the "special" price, but I would just tell them that they pointed it out in the menu.

If that happens to you again, point to  the item in the menu and tell them that the special is much more.

Some places do include a dessert or something extra with the specials, but you have to pay attention. Sometimes the dessert is cheaper than the dinner/dessert together.

Answer 10

No.  They are higher because on holidays, more employees are needed to handle the larger crowd.  So, the prices on dinners are increased to offset that.

Answer 11

Is this price gouging???  Oh yes, absolutely!

Now, would you LIKE that table for your mother or NOT????

Come , come!!! Were very BUSY on Mothers day!!!   If ya don't like it...........McDonalds is always open!

Fact of life is........when demand is HIGH.......the SUPPLY people can charge whatever tickles their funny bone.

Same as airlines charge TRIPLE the price for the same EXACT ticket in summer, than it costs in FEB. or Sept.

Because no one takes vacation in those months.....but come JULY and AUGUST.........you pay thru the nose for the same exact seat.

Christmas and Thanksgiving too, because they KNOW you want to get home.

Price gouging at it's finest, and they are d**n PROUD of it, too. !!!!

Answer 12

No, cos they have to compensate workers 4 working on a holiday, so they raise d prices

Answer 13

yes, but the only way to fight back would be to just not eat there, as no one would complain as this is just an 'accepted' fact by most, just like airlines also rise the prices during the holidays

Answer 14

Why do they charge more on holidays?  Because they can.  Supply and demand.  Often times they will also have a special menu.  That's why we rarely go out on holidays anymore, unless you go to a chain - they usually don't change their prices.

Answer 15

No because when it's a speciall occasion they provide the best food for it and sometimes they gourge a little too.

Answer 16

Hopefully they offered some "special" dishes, more than their usual fare.

Answer 17

Because they are more likely to be busy and have a captive audience on days like yesterday Mothers Day.