Golden Corral and Applebees Prove Age-Old Truth of Using The Word "Free" In Your Marketing

ahlexis · 11-02-2009, 04:44 PM

Yes, it's true. The word "free" is powerful. How powerful? Just ask Applebees. Last year they offered a free meal to any Veteran of US military service branches, present or past, all they had to do was show proof of service. How did it turn out? It was successful beyond their expectations.

So successful that they are repeating it, this time all across the USA.

So, if you have a US soldier in your family, past or present, tell 'em to go to Applebees on Veteran's Day 2009 with proof of service in hand (or wear their uniform or take a photo of themselves in uniform along with them) and they get to choose one of six specially prepared main courses as a way of saying "thank you" for service. The veteran must pay for drinks and other items not on the special choice of main courses, but still. It's a free meal.

Golden Corral? They've been doing this a little longer, and they do it a little differently. Being an all-you-can-eat restaurant, just show up...in uniform or with other proof...no special menus, just prepare to eat. But Golden Corral is honoring their veterans on a different day than the actual Veterans' Day holiday. The day to get the free meal is on November 16, 2009, between 5 and 9 pm. And unlike @ Applebees, last year Golden Corral included the entire meal, including choice of soft drink or tea, and dessert. Maybe it'll be the same this year. (I don't work there, so I don't know for sure.)

Why am I posting this here, in the main forum? In the hopes that others will come out and honor veterans with special promotions just for them, and moreso with the hope that all of you guys out there with Vets in your family will spread the word. Nothing is quite like goodwill in your marketing. And nothing is quite as powerful.

Especially when the marketing involves use of the word "free"! And especially with so few strings attached for those the offer applies to.

Good eatin', y'all!

Ralph89 · 11-02-2009, 04:49 PM

If only some of the restaurants over here in the UK would do something similar. Hopefully it'll only be a matter of time.

ahlexis · 11-02-2009, 04:51 PM

One of the reasons I am mentioning this now, over a week prior to the first free meal, is because the first year I heard about this type of promotion I found out the day AFTER it happened.

Does the UK celebrate a holiday for veterans?

11-02-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
ahlexis Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: , , USA. Posts: 587 Thanks: 46 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Golden Corral and Applebees Prove Age-Old Truth of Using The Word "Free" In Your Marketing Yes, it's true. The word "free" is powerful. How powerful? Just ask Applebees. Last year they offered a free meal to any Veteran of US military service branches, present or past, all they had to do was show proof of service. How did it turn out? It was successful beyond their expectations. So successful that they are repeating it, this time all across the USA. So, if you have a US soldier in your family, past or present, tell 'em to go to Applebees on Veteran's Day 2009 with proof of service in hand (or wear their uniform or take a photo of themselves in uniform along with them) and they get to choose one of six specially prepared main courses as a way of saying "thank you" for service. The veteran must pay for drinks and other items not on the special choice of main courses, but still. It's a free meal. Golden Corral? They've been doing this a little longer, and they do it a little differently. Being an all-you-can-eat restaurant, just show up...in uniform or with other proof...no special menus, just prepare to eat. But Golden Corral is honoring their veterans on a different day than the actual Veterans' Day holiday. The day to get the free meal is on November 16, 2009, between 5 and 9 pm. And unlike @ Applebees, last year Golden Corral included the entire meal, including choice of soft drink or tea, and dessert. Maybe it'll be the same this year. (I don't work there, so I don't know for sure.) Why am I posting this here, in the main forum? In the hopes that others will come out and honor veterans with special promotions just for them, and moreso with the hope that all of you guys out there with Vets in your family will spread the word. Nothing is quite like goodwill in your marketing. And nothing is quite as powerful. Especially when the marketing involves use of the word "free"! And especially with so few strings attached for those the offer applies to. Good eatin', y'all!
	A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. Verizon Droid...The phone that drinks battery juice faster than a Hummer drinks gasoline! Overall: Not Quite Ready for Prime Time

11-02-2009, 04:49 PM	#2
Ralph89 Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Stevenage, England Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Golden Corral and Applebees Prove Age-Old Truth of Using The Word "Free" In Your Marketing If only some of the restaurants over here in the UK would do something similar. Hopefully it'll only be a matter of time.

11-02-2009, 04:51 PM	#3
ahlexis Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: , , USA. Posts: 587 Thanks: 46 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Golden Corral and Applebees Prove Age-Old Truth of Using The Word "Free" In Your Marketing One of the reasons I am mentioning this now, over a week prior to the first free meal, is because the first year I heard about this type of promotion I found out the day AFTER it happened. Does the UK celebrate a holiday for veterans?
	A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. Verizon Droid...The phone that drinks battery juice faster than a Hummer drinks gasoline! Overall: Not Quite Ready for Prime Time