Restaurants rely on year-end events to reduce effect of crisis

The proximity of the holidays opens potential to companies '' fatten up '' the cashier weakened by crisis. With the prospect that the revenue in the period can go up to 50% with corporate events, create specific departments to cope with the demand in search to reduce the recent losses.
"We have a specific program to address these issues, which is the private dining. The company or interested can book an exclusive room in our restaurants to receive your guests. In times like the holidays, our turnover is 50% from this strategy, "says the President of bloomin'' Brands in Brazil, Salim Boulos Maroun. The company controls the Abbraccio restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, Fleming''s Prime Steakhouse & Bonefish Grill and Wine Bar, Carrabba''s Italian Grill in the country from 2013.
Last year, according to Maroun, there was a small pullback in demand from companies for corporate spaces for parties on the economic crisis. This year, however, he believes that there will be more search.
"I believe we should close the year conducting between 10 1,000,000 type events in our restaurants. Certainly will be greater than it was in 2015, "he said.
In the second quarter of this year, the operation of the Australian Outback flag grew 3.9% in sales, in comparison with the same period last year. The Brazil, according to the bloomin'' Brands, obtained the best result among the 20 countries where the restaurant maintains units. Here are 79 units of the network.
"The end of this year, we estimate 20% lift in our revenue in Brazil, ahead of last year," says Maroun.
Event all year
Corporate events are part of the routine of the gastronomic chef and owner of restaurants and Grass Santinho, brunette milk. In addition to expert in arranging various types of ceremonies, she also invests on end-of-year celebrations promoted by businesses to ensure an extra revenue.
"The expectation is to rent more spaces this year than rented last year, which was weak. What we''re feeling, especially now at the beginning of the second half, is that it should be ", provides for the Manager.
According to Brown, it is possible to guarantee with the events a additional revenue of up to 30% on the turnover achieved by sales in restaurants. "It''s an important additional income," admits.
With four units in São Paulo, one in Trancoso (Bahia) and other newly-opened in Rio de Janeiro, her expectation is that together the companies will grow between 10% to 20% this year, before 2015. That year, the restaurants of Brunette advanced 10% compared to the previous year.
The success of the two businesses made Brunette received invitations to take one of the flags to the outside, which should only occur from 2018, according to her.
"We had meetings in Miami, where they offered us a space inside a mall. And there is also the possibility to go to New York. For now, let''s get ripen locally and then think more calmly this step ", explains.
Impact of recession
Asked whether the crisis disrupts the business, Maroun, bloomin'' Brands, was emphatic: "there''s no recession. The crisis exists only for those who don''t, "said during an event of food service in Sao Paulo.
A little less definite, the President of the Brazilian Association of bars and restaurants in São Paulo (Abrasel-SP), Percival Maricato, claims that the recession is a stone in the shoe of the entrepreneurs in the business. "Honestly, I think if there are the same number of events last year, is to celebrate. The crisis is still impacting the revenue of the companies, "he says.
For him, it is important that entrepreneurs resume attention to consumers who take friends to the site, without the help of businesses, customers should take and organize celebrations on their own.