70% of those Polled say Pizza Hut's Lunch Shifts are Dead

Pizza Hut was surveyed by Tickermine researchers this week. We asked which pizza sells best? Which meal times are busier? Do you offer any specials, and if so, are these generating more business at your location? How long have you offered this item and has your location been around for longer than a year? 35 locations were polled. Dinner was busier according to 71% of those we interviewed and only 29% cited lunch. All 35 respondents or 100% of those interviewed said they were offering deals this week and 23 respondents or 66% said that customer traffic bumped up as a result. Only 12 respondents or 34% said specials did nothing to beef up their clientele. The Pepperoni Pizza was the most popular menu item according to 34% of respondents. The Pizza Mia was most popular for 11% while the buffet was most popular for 6% of those we interviewed. It might be time for a menu overhaul however, because 86% of respondents said this meal had been around a long time. Only 14% said the deal was new, and perhaps some new locations are in order. Only one person or 3% said the location was less than a year old. While 34 respondents or 97% said theirs was a year or older.

27% of Respondents at Checker Auto Parts Stores Think Specials Do Nothing to Help Business

CSK Auto, Inc. also known as Checker Auto Parts was surveyed by Tickermine this week. This was a month after the company reported net sales of $461.1 million for its first quarter of fiscal 2008 ended May 4, 2008. This was a decrease of 2.5%, or $11.9 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2007. We consulted 30 stores and asked: Which specials do you have going on this week? Are these specials generating more customers? What products are you selling a lot of? Is your business, sluggish, due to the slow economy? All 30 stores reported having specials this week ranging from specials on oil and car jacks, battery retesting, wiper blades installation and even buy three tires and get one free. 27% of those interviewed saw no extra customers resulting from the specials. But 73% felt that the specials delivered more business to their shop. Of those we spoke with, 20% offered deals on motor oil. 10% offered deals on tire compressors. 7% offered deals on brakes and another 7% offered specials on Motorola hands-free speakers. 67% of those polled didn't feel the economy deterred customers. But 10 people or 33% thought business was slow as a result. And all 30 stores, so 100% of those interviewed said their location was older than a year.

Business Is Stronger Than Last Year, Say 40% of On the Border Grills

In TickerMine's recent survey of On the Border Grill restaurants, we learned that 77% of locations surveyed are busiest at dinner. Fifty-seven percent said the biggest draw for their customers was the menu; 37% said it was the atmosphere, and 6% said it was the prices. The average check size for a party of two is between $14 and $30, reported 54% of respondents. Forty-six percent of respondents said it's between $35 and $45. Fajitas are the most popular menu item for 46% of locations surveyed; empanadas were the second most popular item, cited by 23% of respondents. Business is good for the chain: 40% of locations surveyed said they are busier than last year. Thirty-four percent said they're about as busy as last year, while only a quarter said business last year was stronger.

50% of Red Lobsters Say Lobster Demand Is Down From Last Year

Fifty percent of Red Lobster restaurants have seen a decline in lobster orders since last year, according to TickerMine's latest poll. Thirty-eight percent of restaurants surveyed said lobster demand has remained consistent, and just 12% said more lobsters are being ordered now. However, lobster specials remain the most popular item on the Red Lobster menu, according to 21% of respondents. The shrimp sampler (15%), ultimate feast (15%) and Hawaiian Isles shrimp and salmon (9%) are also popular. Fifty-three percent of Red Lobsters indicated that the average bill for a party of two is between $40 and $50. Thirty-five percent said it's between $25 and $35, and 12% said it's between $55 and $60