Waffle House Has Your Valentine’s Day Scattered, Smothered, And Covered

In a move proving that romance is indeed in the eye of the beholder, some Waffle House locations announced they would be taking reservations for Valentine’s Day seating. According to Kelly Thrasher-Bruner, a corporate liaison for Waffle House, dinner will include candle-lit ambiance and, at least for some locations, a special menu to mark the romantic holiday.

A source from Waffle House stated there would be over a hundred locations participating in the event, which is now in its ninth year. What can diners expect? Experiences vary from location to location, but most of the participating restaurants will feature the aforementioned candles, Valentine’s Day-themed decorations, and, in some cases, the ubiquitous Waffle House jukebox will be loaded with nothing but love songs.

The responses to alternatives to luxe evenings and expensive gifts have been mostly positive. The idea of a Valentine’s Day meal at Waffle House struck a chord with commenters at AL.com, a website that follows news and trends in Alabama.

Trish Hannah

“Food is food, Waffle house has great food at a reasonable price. I would be so po’ed if my husband spent $300.00 on food, flowers, candy and gift…heck, probably more like $500.00. I am not a fan of Valentines day and all the hype that goes along with it.”

The idea of a romantic night that doesn’t break the bank has its appeal. In a study conducted by the National Retail Federation in 2015, most of those who celebrate Valentine’s Day spend around $140 to show their dedication to the ones they love. The exact figure, $142.31, was up a little over $8 from the previous year’s average. Based on surveys and studies of consumer behavior, the NRF estimated the national total could go as high as $19 billion. This was a change from previous years when surveys indicated consumers were more inclined to curtail their spending.

NRF CEO Michael Shay was optimistic about the numbers.

“It’s encouraging to see consumers show interest in spending on gifts and Valentine’s Day-related merchandise – a good sign for consumer sentiment as we head into 2015. Hoping to draw in eager shoppers, retailers will offer unique promotions on gifts, meal options at restaurants and even experiences.”

Frugality certainly plays a role, but there is also the oddball charm of pitching woo in a place where one is more likely to hear calls of “Scattered, smothered, and covered!” than the swirling notes of a wandering violinist or offers of a flaming dessert as dates try to fress to impress.

The Norcross, Georgia, company is a savvy player in the social media promotion game. Over 60,000 people follow the chain on Twitter, and Waffle House has nearly a quarter of a million likes on their main Facebook page. This has given a boost to the event. Waffle House’s Valentine’s Day offering already enjoyed currency as a cache anti-consumerist twist on the holiday, mostly due to coverage by local media and word of mouth. This year promises to be even more profitable for the chain by raising the profile of the brand and continuing what has come to be a tradition for some couples.

https://www.facebook.com/WaffleHouse/photos/a.463036702703.246877.12832737703/10153931479662704/?type=3

Whether it’s a nod to fond memories of first dates or a way to put a romantic spin on something that celebrates the everyday, Waffle House is among many chains offering what diners want this coming February 14. Other fast food franchises with special events for February 14 include White Castle, Krispy Kreme, and recent contender in the fast food romance sweepstakes Qdoba, which is offering a free burrito to customers who kiss their consorts when they check out at the register.

[Image via Yonikasz/Wikimedia Commons]