Most pandemic dining restrictions are set to Completely lifted in Philadelphia next month, People are ecstatic about spending a simple night in a local restaurant.

Normality may be coming, but for many in the catering industry, the hardships of last year and the income impact of COVID-19 will not disappear overnight. As these companies find ways to create a sustainable development path-balance the bottom line, the needs of their employees and fickle customers-there is a wrong step that could be the risk of public relations fiasco.

This is the story of the 48th steakhouse in the city center this week. High-end restaurants charge a minimum of $100 per person (excluding taxes and tips) and implement it. Strict dress code, It is forbidden to wear casual clothes and “marijuana smell”, as well as other unnecessary clothes.

The response to social media policies is usually a combination of harshness and excitement, but Steak 48’s introduction of the rules is just a way to ensure a first-class experience, and many people disagree.

Steak 48 is a family chain run by brothers Jeffrey and Michael Mastro. It has four other locations in Houston, Chicago, Phoenix and Charlotte, some of which also set a new minimum $100 and dress code.

Philadelphia Restaurants Opened opposite the Kimmel Center in September last year, Just before the city was hit by another wave of shattered COVID-19. The business closed after two months and did not reopen until the end of January.

A person contacted by restaurant staff on Wednesday called the online commotion “ridiculous” and added that people were not trying to understand the policy from the perspective of Steak 48 or the industry as a whole.

To be clear, Steak 48 is an upscale dining venue. Reaching $100 per person in any way is not an easy task.price Location in Philadelphia Prices range from $48 for a 12-ounce New York strip to $74 for an 18-ounce boneless filet steak. That’s before you think about appetizers, side dishes, cocktails or desserts. Of course, you can buy it for less than $100, but a regular bill can easily cross that mark-whether it’s at Steak 48 or any other high-end steakhouse in Philadelphia.

This is why this policy is just a code name for the various customers that the restaurant wants to attract. The enterprise can accommodate up to 450 people. It is doubtful whether those who spend less than $100 are attracting more affluent and free-spending customers.

As of Thursday afternoon, representatives of Steak 48 had not returned a request for more information regarding the minimum $100.In the statement obtained by CBS3, The company stated that the policy not only involves guest experience, but also maintains business vitality.

“Like many restaurants in our industry, we have to make some updates to our policies, such as a minimum fee of $100 per person, to support our staff and restaurant operations, and to provide the ability to successfully design for a complete steakhouse. The experience of sitting down,” the company said.

In Chicago, there was a similar outcry against the Steak 48 policy, a local public relations expert told Crane’s Chicago business The restaurant’s policy is counterproductive in generating exclusivity and targeting wealthy customers.

Darren Tristano, chief executive of Foodservice Results, a Chicago-based research and consulting company, added that he believes that if Steak 48 does not provide something truly unique, the policy may backfire.

Tristano said: “My guess is that they have nothing that cannot be replicated.” “There are too many steakhouses and restaurants, which prevents them from having a good experience. This will be a learning for them. Experience.”

What happened at Steak 48 is a high-end epitome of the pressure faced by restaurants across the country.

This Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Represents hundreds of members, from small independent restaurants to large upscale hotels. They provide money-saving programs, publicity and other resources to help companies compete and maintain their success.

Since its establishment in 1937, the trade association has often worked to connect its members with their peers to discuss best practices. During the coronavirus pandemic, PRLA temporarily suspended membership billing in order to switch to linking troubled businesses with COVID-19 assistance programs.They played Play a key role in shaping the $145 million CHIRP legislation The company has provided grants to the Pennsylvania hotel industry, and they continue to demand more assistance from the state.

A PRLA spokesperson said that the organization did not comment on the restaurant’s specific policies, but admitted that throughout the pandemic, many companies are struggling to cope with similar difficult decisions. Steak 48 is not a member of the industry association.

The spokesperson told PhillyVoice: “We want as many companies as possible to survive because it will be very challenging for their efforts to reduce pollution.” “We help them make the best decisions. We can’t make them for people. The best decision, but we can provide information and connect with their peers or legal counsel. Our members can use many services and exchange best practices. We encourage companies to take action and contact us.”

consider COVID-19 surcharge, Has been affixed to some restaurant bills for several months to help cover the cost of outdoor dining configuration and other income impacts. Throughout the pandemic, PRLA heard the opinions of many members who sought guidance on whether to assess such expenses. In most cases, inquiries come from urban areas such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where stricter restrictions are more likely to squeeze businesses. PRLA believes that these costs are not a long-term solution, and as the reopening progresses, these costs may gradually disappear.

But the trade association emphasized the importance of recognizing how the diversity of Pennsylvania’s businesses and how their location affects the challenges faced.

Widely reported Shortage of workers in the catering industry It actually predates the pandemic, and because many displaced workers seek different career paths, the turmoil and restrictions last year exacerbated the situation. Although urban restaurants are increasingly attracting job seekers with higher salaries, signing bonuses, tuition assistance, and other benefits, Restaurants in rural communities are under great pressure Find sustainable ways to increase wages, especially Increased political pressure Create a fairer industry in Pennsylvania and beyond.

The direction chosen by Steak 48 is likely to be the calculated risk. Do they really worry about the opinions of critics, and the opinions of critics may not become their target customers? If someone thinks that a $100 meal is too high, that restaurant will obviously not covet its business. Given that the Philadelphia area has a large number of restaurants to visit, there are many other places that can provide a fulfilling experience for less than $100.

Laughing at a pretentious business, and it is easy to pile a sum of money, it is easy to go crazy. Philadelphia Magazine Ernest Owens wrote that this does not need to affect anyone who does not want to spend money on Steak 48.

Owens said: “Dining in a high-end restaurant like Steak 48 is a luxury, not a necessity.” “Like all luxury things, being a boss has a price. Those who are not willing to mature and don’t tip. People should reconsider their entitlements (which can be said to be moral). And those who want to get angry on the Internet should find more. Worthy goals.”

As a sarcastic Twitter user suggested, Cherry Hill always has Steak 38.