The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Sabine Area Restaurant Association (S.A.R.A.) hosted the first annual #EATBMT Restaurant Week, August 26 - September 2, 2018. The weeklong event showcased local restaurants throughout the Golden Triangle and celebrated what Southeast Texas knows best – food. Thirty participating restaurants offered special fixed menus priced at $10, $20, and $40 throughout the week. A portion of the proceeds from special restaurant week menu item sales helped to raise over $3,000 in scholarships for the Lamar University Hospitality Management Program.
#EATBMT Restaurant Week Impact
- 30 Restaurants participated in Restaurant Week.
- 2,594 Restaurant Week menu items sold*
- 14,398 Visits during Restaurant Week*
- $484,687 in recorded sales*
- Most restaurants saw 7-18% increase in sales*
*These numbers reflect information collected by the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau as of 9/19/19 with 25 out the 30 restaurants reporting.
“The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau has been adamant about promoting our local food scene,” stated Christina Majdalani, Director of Tourism. “The CVB launched the #EATBMT culinary tourism campaign in February, and knew the next step was to plan a restaurant week. The response from local restaurants and the community was outstanding. We could not have asked for more.”
Owner of J.Wilson’s Restaurant, John Wilson, remarked, “Restaurant Week was a great success! We would like to thank everyone that participated and especially thank all the coordinators for their enthusiasm and perseverance. We can’t wait until next year!” John Wilson, owner of J. Wilson’s Restaurant
Kayla Fisher, owner of Green Light Americana Kitchen added, “Restaurant Week was a great source of energy and opportunity for awareness for the local restaurants in Southeast Texas. We were happy to participate and look forward to being a part in the upcoming years. Restaurant Week was not only a way for our current customers to see our “menu” differently but attracted different customers that we had previously not been able to target through other marketing avenues.”
Duane Frasier, general manager of Crazy Cajun Restaurant pointed out, “Restaurant Week provided us an additional opportunity to draw-in neighbors who have not tried us. We saw new faces all week, and many of those faces repeatedly throughout the week. Our business has increased due to these efforts, and we have made many new friends who we value, and trust will continue to introduce us to many more.”
To celebrate the success of the event and recognize the week’s top performers, the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to announce the winners of the week’s special awards: The Golden Fork, The Golden Spoon and The Golden Knife Award.
2018’s #EATBMT Restaurant Week Winners:
- Amelia Farm and Market, The Golden Fork Award – Congratulations for the highest menu item sales during Restaurant Week
- Tacos La Bamba, The Golden Knife Award – Congratulations on having the highest number of guests served during Restaurant Week
- Sweet Basil, The Golden Spoon Award – Congratulations on having the highest sales percentage increase for Restaurant Week
In addition to receiving a brag-worthy commemorative trophy, 2018 #EATBMT Restaurant Week winners will also receive production of one, 30 second commercial, or two, 15 second commercials and one month of TV ad placements with KFDM.