Post #762879 by Dr. Coruba on Sun, Apr 24, 2016 2:21 PM

Keep in mind that every Trader Vic's, other than Emeryville (the only family/company owned location), is a franchise. It wouldn't surprise me if they charge all the franchises an arm and a leg for items like the custom shaker - that they are probably required to have and use. So they can't sell such an item to the public for less than they are forcing the restaurants to pay. I can appreciate that they don't want to associate their name with cheaply merchandise, but $125 cocktail shakers... please. Affordable merchandise can be a valuable marketing tool, too bad this is lost on them.

At one time the merchandise sales were all being handled by one of Vic's grandsons. Pretty sure it was Peter Seely. Now he's the CEO. In my opinion, they've really mishandled the opportunities to regrow the brand despite the renewed interest in Tiki over the past couple of decades.

We're just two Trader Vic's away from there being no Trader Vic's in the US. I never thought I'd see the day.

[ Edited by: Dr. Coruba 2016-04-25 05:57 ]