Soft launches and late sittings - six ways to get cheaper meals out
The cost of dining out is getting increasingly hard to swallow - but clever planning can net you cheaper deals.
**Six Strategies for More Affordable Dining Out Experiences**
With the cost of living remaining elevated, the expense of dining out has become a significant concern for many, leading over a third of Britons to reduce their restaurant visits, according to YouGov's latest Dining Out report. Restaurateurs attribute price increases to the rising costs of food, energy, wages, and taxes, prompting some prominent chefs to advocate for government assistance. In response, numerous eateries are introducing incentives to attract customers. Here are several methods to save money on restaurant meals.
**1. Leverage Loyalty Programs and Discount Schemes**
Many restaurants offer loyalty programs that reward repeat customers with points, complimentary items, discounts, and birthday specials. The Pizza Express Club, for instance, features a bronze, silver, and gold tier system, providing perks ranging from free dough balls to complimentary hot and soft drinks. Nando's utilizes a chilli-based loyalty program. Additionally, schemes like Tastecard offer discounts at hundreds of dine-in and takeaway establishments for an annual fee.
**2. Opt for Off-Peak Dining Slots**
Restaurants frequently aim to fill tables outside of peak lunch and dinner hours. Choosing earlier or later sittings can often result in a reduced bill. Apps such as First Table, available in 21 UK cities, as well as Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, provide diners with a 50% discount on food when they book a participating restaurant's first or last dining slot, in exchange for a small booking fee. EatClub is another app that offers walk-in customers up to 50% off their entire bill at thousands of venues when they redeem an offer through the app, with the largest discounts typically available during off-peak times.
Shokofeh Hejazi, director of foresight and innovation at global trends agency The Food People, notes that earlier dining is appealing due to its quieter and calmer atmosphere, reduced alcohol consumption, and the ability to return home sooner. She also suggests that meeting for breakfast tends to be more budget-friendly, usually involving a single course while still allowing for quality time with friends and family.
**3. Take Advantage of Kids-Eat-Free Offers**
During school holidays, many establishments entice families with free or £1 meals for children accompanied by paying adults. These offers are available at major chains like TGI Fridays, supermarket cafes such as Morrisons and Asda, and even garden centres like Dobbies. While some promotions are seasonal, others are available year-round.
**4. Explore Soft Launches and New Openings**
New restaurants often provide discounts during their "soft launch" period to encourage patronage and generate buzz. These soft launches can last for several weeks and offer a cost-effective way to experience higher-end restaurants without a significant financial outlay. Staying informed about upcoming openings in your local area by signing up for newsletters can help you track these opportunities. Hejazi observes that some restaurants are extending their pre-opening periods to build anticipation, while others are making their soft launch pricing permanent for quieter days, such as Mondays. She emphasizes that fine dining venues are not exclusively for the wealthy, as "there's access points for everybody in a lot of these places."
**5. Convert Supermarket Loyalty Points into Restaurant Vouchers**
Accumulated supermarket loyalty points from weekly shopping can be redeemed for restaurant meals. For example, every 50p earned in Tesco Clubcard points can be exchanged for £1.50 in vouchers to be used at participating Prezzo Italian venues, which is one of Tesco's restaurant partners.
**6. Utilize Surplus Food Apps**
Finally, numerous options exist for obtaining food for free or at a significantly reduced price. Surplus food apps like Too Good To Go and Olio allow customers to acquire items that would otherwise be wasted. While the exact contents of these "mystery bags" can be unpredictable, they offer a way to save money on essential groceries, leaving more cash available for dining out.
In related news, the UK economy experienced stagnation in January as consumers reduced their spending on dining out. Leading UK chefs are advocating for a reduction in VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%.