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Is Bigger Better?

Living in New York you get used to a few things: crowded subways, convenience and small portions.  The trend as of late has been skewing towards tapas-style restaurants, where you order a menagerie of small plates to enjoy with your date or friends.  This “small plates” trend brought to mind a debate that is currently occurring in the casual dining world regarding portion size. 

 

Many causal dining restaurants are currently facing a huge dilemma regarding trimming portion size in their restaurants.  Consumers are demanding a change in portion size, yet they are reluctant to actually follow through.  Restaurants note that when consumers are presented with smaller portions or healthier options they often do not order those options.  The general feeling among consumers is that they are getting a better value for their dollar by being served a larger portion. 

 

Some casual dining restaurants like Friday’s have already implemented smaller portions and are worried that the backlash from consumers will negatively impact their efforts. Friday’s has dubbed their trimmed down offerings as “Right Size” portions and serves them on red plates to disguise the fact that they are smaller than the original.

 

I think its fine to offer larger plates to those who want it, but maybe it would be wiser for restaurants to offer larger portions off the menu, rather than placing them directly next to smaller portion options.  I think the restaurants will find that more people will be receptive to smaller portions then they are letting on.  What do you think?  Is bigger better or do good things really come in small packages? 

 

*misterbelly

 

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Posted Mar 26, 2007 by misterbelly | 1 Comment | Share It

Filed under: food restaurants health