[Updated] Nevermind (these people are really good at customer service!) . . . .
I met two friends of this blog (Nancy and Beth) at Houlihan’s — and we had a great time. But, you know me: I’m trying to log the nutritional information for everything I eat. So after deciding what I wanted (hamburger, fries & coleslaw) I found a note at the bottom of the menu saying to check Houlihans.com for nutritional information. Since the information was available online, I didn’t bother asking the staff for it.
What a laugh! I easily found the menu. But, couldn’t find a thing about the nutritional information until I found this buried in their FAQ:
Nutritional information
We cook almost exclusively from scratch, and our menu items may vary slightly in size and composition from batch to batch. For that reason, we don’t provide nutritional data on our menu items. Additionally, we and our franchise partners may make adjustments in both our menu and recipe content to compensate for seasonal changes and the availability (or lack) of certain raw ingredients. Consequently, it’s very difficult to guarantee the accuracy of any nutritional information we may provide.
After fuming about the absurdity of spending 15 minutes finding THAT out, I sent this message via their comment page:
A note at the bottom of your menu says to see your website for nutritional information. But, your FAQ says that nutritional information is unavailable.
I understand the reasons for that. But, wouldn’t have been kinder if you just said it straight out on your menu? Why was it necessary for me to take the time to hunt through your site to find out the information wasn’t available?
I had a wonderful meal and don’t regret eating it. But, I’m mildly irritated that you made me jump through this hoop.
Sadly,
Katiebird
I’ve already received a pretty standard apology for my trouble:
Katiebird,
I would first like to thank you for your patronage at Houlihan’s On BoardWalk Square! I would also like to apologize for the inconvenience to you. I am in communication with our corporate office on this matter. Feel free
to contact me and I will answer any questions I can. Thank-you for bringing this to our attention. And again I apologize!
But I don’t expect anything to change.
7 Comments
I know Burger King & Wendy’s have that info on posters somewhere in the customer area. I wonder why fast-food joints can do it while tonier places can’t… maybe because they have a more standardized menu?
FAR, It’s bizarrely stupid, I think. I can see how some of the meals might be difficult. But, Hamburgers? Fries (they weren’t the good “fat” kind of fry. They were the skinny/greasy kind?) and Coleslaw? Like that’s not from a set recipe? They’re just liars.
Oh, well. I’d never go back for those fries anyway. BUT I also don’t eat at restaurants that hide their nutritional info. I’ve got a program that lets me enter recipes and I can calculate the info for any size portion. Why can’t they do the same.
Ah well.
Did you get my email?
I think they are trying to pass a law where every food place MUST have the NI for all foods they serve. Wouldn’t that be Great!
By the way, this wasn’t by chance in Kansas City? That’s where I live and we have a Houlihan’s on the Boardwalk Sq.
It IS in Kansas City, Shelly!!
I live out in Kansas though — we were just meeting up at a place that worked for all of us.
Oh, and I’d love it if they passed a law requiring nutritional information. With so many people getting their meals “out” — it’s at least as important as the food labels.
LOL small world! I just found your blog today and have been reading it over (love it so far). We live in N. Kansas city, over by Liberty. Use to live in Kansas too (Elwood). Nice to “see” someone close by! Great job on the blog, I know I will stick around. I did WW last year and lost 50lbs but of course have started to gain it back. So I’m trying something different this time, kindof like what you are doing. I LOVE food, so I don’t plan on giving it up, just won’t eat as much as I do. And of course gotta start working out. I hired a personal trainer and start next Tuesday so I think that will help! Anyhow, sorry for rambling! Thanks for the good reads here!
All’s well that ends well at Houlihan’s, huh?
Yup, got your email. I’ll have gtalk open too.