Painting in Restaurants

Anyone out there painting regularly in a restaurant? Just wondering how that works.

Several do and I think it is something we should all strive for. I was contacted by Chick Fil e, but they didn't want to pay me, but have me charge the customers. It was their family night and they were giving free kids meals away.

I explained to them that there was little hope of me making any money since the "free" menality was already in the customers' mind set coming through the door and I wasn't going to work for tips. They got someone else and I need to pop over there and see if she is any good.

We have to be careful these guys don't set us up for failure. Originally I thought a local resturant would be a good target since it would be a short drive. But now I think it may be a better bet to look at bookings for a year and target a food establishment within the most booked area or the highest rates you can charge. Food for thought.

This is a topic that could be widely explored!

Tomorrow night I'm actually going to have my first night at Pizza Hut on kids night. My sister and mother already work there, and I'm getting two hours pay plus a free meal. It may become a weekly thing!

Good luck Savvy! Let us know how it goes. I've targeted restaurants for mailings before, but the only ones that responded wanted to know if I would donate my time. (?!?)

I went personally to the restaurants to talk to the managers and that's how I got my latest weekly paid gig, dinner provided. But even tho I have my home page nine photo poster on the door advertising free face painting, too many customers ask how much I charge for face painting and I'm tired of telling them that its free. I'm creating a new flyer for the doors advertising that Fuddruckers provides Free Face Painting Family Nite 6-8pm. That way, it puts more value on my work and makes the customers appreciate that the restaurant brought me to them, making family nite special. If you scroll down on my site, you will see the Fuddruckers Regional Manager with a fudd logo on his cheek ; )
Happy Painting,
Susan
www.FantasyFacesForYou.com
www.SusanLeeBillings.com

All I have to do is make kids of all ages happy - whatadreamjob!

Beginner Face Painting Classes, Intermediate & Private Workshops available![i][u]

I've been targeting local restaurants for a while now... the problem is they want it for nothing, they need approval from corporate, you don't want to take tips from the servers or they won't want you there.

What I've JUST sent out was a letter to several (the managers were never there when I tried to visit in person) offering ONE FREE NIGHT of entertainment (balloons or face painting) as a trial and if it works out well for both of us we can negotiate a fair price for me to come weekly, monthly or just occasionally. Of course the best turn out would come from weekly as people wouldn't have to check all the time to see if it was this week or next week or next month or whatever. I am willing to take up to half of my pay in gift certificates for the place but not all of it. I'm also willing to cut my hourly a little besides because it is a great opportunity for repeat business and setting up a rapport with customers that may then book me for parties and such. I plan to actually refuse tips as I want to keep good relations with the service staff and have them love my being there.

I'll let you all know what comes of my recent offer. I can't see too many calling me just for a free night without wanting to really do it long term as it wouldn't be a big help to their business unless I was there for more than one night.

Why not take the tips and then make a huge deal about giving them to the servers, this way it is seen. I really don't think the patrons would tip the servers less if they tipped you as well, but I am not sure of the tipping rules in Canada. Americans tip for everything, but I learned working in a pub in England that tipping rules vary for all countries.