"We don't take reservations"

This is a pretty common statement from most of the national restaurant chains; "We don't take reservations." That's fine. But they do have "Call ahead seating." Wow, talk about the best of both worlds. They don't have to hold a table for a few minutes to satisfy a reservation commitment, but they do get the luxury of knowing that a party will be there at a particular time.

What a great system for the restaurant. What a lousy system for the consumer. Don't you just love it, even if you have called in or ahead or whatever they're calling it. You arrive. You receive your pager and you wait around for twenty, thirty... forty minutes. I don't think so.

Here's our problem. Consumers in mass accept such policies. It won't be until we say "No, thank you" that this type of service will stop. I don't know about you, but I value my time. There is no way that eating some sort of fancy deep fried onion is worth waiting around for forty minutes (just to be seated) when I can just go somewhere else.

You've all heard the saying "Just say no." That's what I'm asking you to do. Just say "no." Okay, just say "no thank you." National chains and franchises certainly have a place in the market and do deserve some of our business. However, this type for lack of respect for our time (and our money) should not be tolerated.

I suggest we all boycott this type of practice and start frequenting some of the great locally owned and operated establishments we all have in our respective towns. Oh, and most of them do take reservations. If we all band together on this cause, there will be better balance in the restaurant universe and the practice will stop.

If not, by all means, that's your choice. I, on the other hand will be over at the local joint enjoying my hamburger, steak, sandwich, whatever, while you're sitting out in the parking lot waiting to be seated! If you'd like to find the most recommended locally owned and operated businesses in your city or town (or have some you'd like to recommend to us) please visit www.iswami.com

Tony Rose