“We realize that times are tough, and are trying to make dining more affordable for hospital employees and visitors,” said Heidi Franssen, general manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Pocono Medical Center. “This summer we introduced a special dining stimulus package that included an entrée an a beverage and also a special dollar menu with items for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack.”
The dollar menu features such items as French toast stix, popcorn chicken, deep fried mac & cheese bites and slider burgers, among others. Franssen said that when they began visually displaying the dollar menu each day, sales increased dramatically, with some customers ordering a combination platter of several of the items.
The Metz team at Pocono Medical Center also offers a pizza to go program that is gaining in popularity. “Employees in the healthcare field do not always have time to come in to the dining room, order, wait for their meal to be prepared and eat,” Franssen said. “Our pizza to go program is perfect for these employees, as they call and place their order in advance and then run in and pick up their pizza. We plan on expanding this take out program to other items as well.”
At Sallie Mae, a student loan processing center in Hanover Township, PA, the Metz dining staff has also been featuring some hot summer specials to increase lunch sales. A variety of $5 foot long subs made with freshly baked rolls has been a real hit, as well as a variety of healthy entrée choices for under $5 and snacks for only $1. “Our summer specials have definitely helped increase sales,” said John Exter, general manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Sallie Mae. “We keep interest up by keeping the menus fresh and featuring different items each day and by offering a great enough variety to please every taste.”
Healthy entrées, such as homemade chicken stew served with a freshly baked multi grain roll, pasta primavera and a variety of entrée salads, all offered for under $5 per serving, have become very popular with lunchtime customers. “Our guests realize and appreciate the fact that they are getting a great value when purchasing these items and they know that we are also focusing on ensuring that the items are healthy,” Exter said. “The dollar snacks, which include fresh fruit, fresh veggie sticks, peanuts and other healthy snacks are flying off of our shelves.” The Metz team at Sallie Mae has also expanded the daily salad bar selection, by adding items such as artichoke hearts, seasonal vegetables and an assortment of flavored vinegars and oils.
At Erie Insurance in Erie, PA, the Metz staff is not only featuring onsite dining bargains, but also take out dinner specials at a price that can’t be beat. Their “Hump Day Dinners,” which are offered for take out each Wednesday, feature five different entrée options, which are served with a choice of 2 sides for only $5.50 each or $10 for two dinners. Choices include entrees such as stuffed chicken breast, London broil, freshly carved ham, pasta with meatballs and black bean loaf with cucumber pepper relish. Side options are plentiful and can include baked or mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, steamed vegetables, chocolate cake and more. The menu always includes a vegetarian selection and Weight Watcher points are posted for all menu items.
“Our dinner take special has undoubtedly been our most popular promotion this summer. It’s a great way to provide a complete and inexpensive meal to your entire family,” said Jenny Bucci, general manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Erie Insurance. “We offer a variety of fully cooked and chilled menu items that can be taken home and quickly heated. Sales are currently at just over 100 each night and we expect to hit 150 very soon. We may also expand to offering this special on a 2nd night in the near future.”
The Metz summer specials are proving that buying lunch can be just as cost effective as brown-bagging it, helping to increase sales and in-turn, increase profits for their clients.
Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.
