Okay, so Waffle House, that famous place that is open all the time, has been in the news lately. A lot of people, customers and folks who work there, have been talking about them getting rid of military discounts.
For a long time, some places would give a 10% discount to people in the military and even to customers who came in all the time. But now, lots of stores are just stopping it. I guess it is all tied to food costing more and the company making some changes.
This whole thing explains what is really going on with the Waffle House military discounts, why they are stopping them, and how things like egg prices going way up are changing the rules.
Did Waffle House Ever Have a Real Military Discount?
The Official Company Story
So, here is the thing. According to a bunch of Waffle House workers and managers, a military discount was never part of the official rules from the main company. Instead, managers at each store could just decide on their own if they wanted to give one.
That made things pretty different depending on where you were:
- Some stores in towns with military bases gave the discount a lot.
- But places in cities or smaller towns often did not.
Over time, I guess people in the military just started expecting the discount, even though it was not a rule for every store.
Why They are Ending the Military Discounts
Food Costs Way More—Especially Eggs
Okay, so one of the biggest reasons for this change is that food just costs way more now. Employees said that a big box of eggs went from being pretty cheap to costing a ton of money.
It is Harder to Make Money Now
Back in the day, Waffle House stores were charged a set price for eggs that didn’t change, no matter what. Now, the stores have to pay the full price for eggs. That means they have to cut costs wherever they can.
The Bosses Are Cracking Down
The main company recently told the managers that they can’t decide to give military discounts anymore.
They also made them stop other local discounts, you know, like for those regulars who came in all the time. The only time they can give a discount now is if they mess up your order.
Managers have even been told that giving an unapproved discount is like stealing from the company.
What the Workers Think
It is a Mix of Feelings
A lot of managers and servers do not like this new rule. They said the discounts were a way to say thank you to people who have served.
But, they also get it because:
- The restaurant doesn’t make a ton of money on each plate.
- Stopping the discounts is one way to keep the business going.
Some managers in Alabama and Georgia said they’re still giving discounts, but I guess those days are numbered because the main office is watching closer.
It is Different Everywhere
- Atlanta area stores: Some still give a 10% discount to military people and their regulars.
- Warner Robins, GA: They just stopped giving the discount, and a lot of customers got mad, especially since it’s close to an Air Force base.
- Alabama places: A few stores are still doing it, but they’ve gotten warnings from the company.
What Customers Think About It
People in Military Towns Are Bummed
In places with a lot of military folks, stopping the discount has led to:
- People complaining.
- Losing some of the regulars who used to come in.
- Negative stuff being said on social media.
Some People Don’t Care
But others were like:
- Waffle House food is still pretty cheap anyway.
- If they did get a discount, they would just give that money to the server as a tip instead.
The Bigger Picture with Discounts
Restaurants That Don’t Make a Lot of Money
Waffle House is the kind of business where they have to sell a lot of stuff to make money, and they do not make a lot on each order. Unlike bigger chains, every penny counts for them to stay open.
Why Other Places Still Give Discounts
Bigger companies like Chick-fil-A often keep their military discounts because:
- It’s part of how they get more people in the door.
- They charge more for their food, so they can afford it.
Will Military Discounts Ever Come Back?
Maybe, Maybe Not
- The Big Company Brings It Back: If food costs go down and they make more money, maybe they will bring the discounts back just to be nice.
- Managers Do It Anyway: In some rare cases, managers might still give discounts on the low, but they could get in trouble.
- Other Ways to Save Money: The company has told people to join their Waffle House Regulars Club to get deals instead.
I guess the whole thing with Waffle House stopping military discounts is just a mix of new company rules, food costing a lot more, and them not making as much money. It is a bummer for a lot of people, but Waffle House says they have to do it to stay in business.
So, if you are a military person still wanting a deal, your best bet is to just ask the manager at your local Waffle House. But right now, it looks like most places are saying “no” to discounts.