Ok, bad punn, but… Here at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan one Doner Kebab stand has a line going back quite a way. I’d guess there were over 30 people in line at 9.30pm at night. Hours earlier I’d passed and the line was also there then. Around the corner (not more than about 12 metres away) another stand has no line. Just one lone operator turning over onions and spiced meats. Go a little further and this stand holder has packed his bat and ball and gone home.
What’s the story? Somethings caused a buzz. I couldn’t tell what their secret was from walking by. There WAS a signed marked “The Original Guys”. But what drew the crowd?
- awesome taste
- great service
- pure social proof (“This one looks more popular so I’ll go to this one too.”)
- recent publicity
- their website (yes, they really have a website)?
I’ll go back and see what I can figure out – but one thing is for sure – there’s something remarkable about this food retailer. If your business (and that of your competitors) was as Doner Kebab stand… which stand would you be? What would you need to do to be the popular one here? Kinda makes me hungry thinking about it. ;-)
