a.k.a. Opening Pandora's Box.
So, when our little Brewpub opened in 2009, we never expected the popularity of our Mug Club.
Our Mug Club has a capped membership and an annual fee. For $30/year, members get their own signature mug which is kept on premise. Membership includes:
---a free birthday entree
---exclusive invites to our monthly tappings which include two free beers
---their mug holds an extra 2 oz than our regular pint glasses
---a $0.50 discount on their tap beers at all visits
---a $1.00 discount on tap beer on Wednesday nights
At our monthly tappings, we also put out a spread of appetizers which are free to members to enjoy while trying out the new beer.
Membership has grown substantially, and with it, a few nagging problems have crept in. Mainly, non Club Members are joining their families or friends who are members and helping themselves to the food. While some of this is expected, it's becoming a problem. We are trying to come up with ways to police this without alienating our guests. If we offer wristbands for the food, there's nothing to stop someone from loading up a plate and taking it to their table to share. If we cancel the food part of it altogether (and after all, this is a BEER tasting event) people will become upset. What started as offering a few snacks during the sampling has become a let's-bring-our-family-for-free-dinner affair.
I do not mean to come across as cheap or unappreciative, but when it starts affecting the bottom line more and more, we have to start weighing our options.
Have you run across anything like this? How do you run your Mug Clubs?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Scott
So, when our little Brewpub opened in 2009, we never expected the popularity of our Mug Club.
Our Mug Club has a capped membership and an annual fee. For $30/year, members get their own signature mug which is kept on premise. Membership includes:
---a free birthday entree
---exclusive invites to our monthly tappings which include two free beers
---their mug holds an extra 2 oz than our regular pint glasses
---a $0.50 discount on their tap beers at all visits
---a $1.00 discount on tap beer on Wednesday nights
At our monthly tappings, we also put out a spread of appetizers which are free to members to enjoy while trying out the new beer.
Membership has grown substantially, and with it, a few nagging problems have crept in. Mainly, non Club Members are joining their families or friends who are members and helping themselves to the food. While some of this is expected, it's becoming a problem. We are trying to come up with ways to police this without alienating our guests. If we offer wristbands for the food, there's nothing to stop someone from loading up a plate and taking it to their table to share. If we cancel the food part of it altogether (and after all, this is a BEER tasting event) people will become upset. What started as offering a few snacks during the sampling has become a let's-bring-our-family-for-free-dinner affair.
I do not mean to come across as cheap or unappreciative, but when it starts affecting the bottom line more and more, we have to start weighing our options.
Have you run across anything like this? How do you run your Mug Clubs?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Scott
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