Savings On Tap

I really don't blame customers for ordering water instead of a high priced beverage. In today's economy, restauranteurs should be happy they have customers at all. In today's society, it's value, value, and more value.

Thirsty consumers are sacrificing their soda and coffee for the ultimate freebie: a glass of tap water.

Water orders at restaurants have increased by 6 percent since 2006, while all other beverages declined by the same percentage, according to the report, “Beverages at Foodservice: Satisfying Our Thirst for Beverages.” The market research company NPD Group released the report along with a survey of 5,500 people yesterday.

NPD spokeswoman Kim McLynn said people don’t see the value in paying for a soda away from home when they can pick up a 12-pack at the store for the same price.

McLynn also said people are ordering water to save their money, which allows them to save up and buy smoothies and other specialty concoctions.

“They want things you can’t get from a grocer and you can’t make at home,” she said.

Water servings still only account for 10 percent of the 50 billion beverages ordered every year, the report says. And since 78 percent of restaurants are fast food and don’t serve booze, alcoholic beverages only account for 5 percent of beverage servings.

via Savings on tap - WWW.THEDAILY.COM.