Raw Data Report: Restaurants

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67% of Ruby Tuesday's (RT) Have No Customer Waits or Waits Under 10 Minutes

Ruby Tuesday, Inc., the casual dining restaurant chain, was interviewed this week just before its Q4 earnings will be released on July 9. Our researchers asked how long their customers are waiting, what the most popular menu item is and what the average bill is for a party of two.

30 restaurants were consulted for the poll. Ominously, 12 respondents or 40% of the poll said there were no customer waits. Eight people or 27% said customers can wait less than 10 minutes, another eight said patrons will wait between 10 and 15 minutes for a table, and two people or 6% said others wait up to 25 minutes.

Most people, 23 respondents or 77% of the poll, said a party of two will typically spend between $25-$35. Six people or 10% said that the check is more likely $40-$45. One person or 3% said it was $70.

Parmesan Pastas is the most popular menu item currently (seven people or 23%). Steaks are selling well (five people or 17%), four people said the Hand-crafted burgers sold best. Three people or 10% of the poll said the Asian Glazed Salmon wase their best seller and the same ratios applied to the Ribs & Louisiana Fried Shrimp, Chicken Bella and the Ruby Minis. Two people or 7% said that the Chicken Fresco was most popular.

Macaroni Grill (EAT) Sales Stay Stable

74% of respondents stated that, compared to last year, their Macaroni Grill location is the same or busier. The average tab for two is $25-$35 at 44% of locations and $30-$50 at a further 44%. The most popular meals include Pasta Milano (26% of mentions), Penne Rustica (19%) and Chicken and Shrimp Scaloppine (19%).

Customers Aren't Spending Much at Max & Erma's (MAXE)

Max & Erma's Restaurants were surveyed by Tickermine this week soon after the company reported its sales were off by 6.7% this year due to foul weather and a dodgy economy. We asked whether lunch was busier over dinner, which menu items sold best, what a typical party of two winds up spending, what attracts their clientele and is business up or down from last year.

25 locations were consulted. 15 respondents or 58% reported that dinner was the busiest shift. Another 11 people or 42% of the poll said their lunch attracted more customers.

All 25 respondents said their restaurant was older than a year and the popular menu items included hamburgers (15 respondents or 50%), Buffalo Style Chicken Tenders (three respondents or 12%) and the same figures applied to the Laredo Steak. Respondents mostly said the atmosphere appealed to their customers (13 respondents or 50% of the poll). Nine people or 35% quoted the menu, and four people or 15% thought it was the prices.

The average party of two spends between $20-$30 at this restaurant (according to 19 respondents or 73% of the poll). Only seven people or 27% of the poll were seeing checks of $35-$50. So people don't spend much at Max and Erma's, but then business seems steady.

Eight respondents, 31% said business was up from a year ago. 14 people or 54% said business was the same and only four or 15% said business had slumped.