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I like that new approach, I wonder if it will be a model for the future. Some poorer people pay less than they normally would, some wealthier ones pay more - and all that voluntarily and without any control, pressure and embarrassment.
Who'd like to start a pool on how long it will be before the sign at the entrance that says "Take what you need, leave your fair share" will be raplaced by a new sign that says "Out Of Business". I bet it won't be long once the layabouts who are on the public dole discover that a new freebie is available.
Who'd like to start a pool on how long it will be before the sign at the entrance that says "Take what you need, leave your fair share" will be raplaced by a new sign that says "Out Of Business". I bet it won't be long once the layabouts who are on the public dole discover that a new freebie is available.
I wish them the best. This is all voluntary so I'll support it. If it was the state forcing you to pay your "fair" share, then I'll have a problem with the idea.
The whole problem with non-profits is you don't create capital to expand and grow the business.
In the real world, if you don't grow you will stagnate and go bankrupt.
Another angle to this is the cafe is receiving a subsidy from the food donations. If you remove the subsidies, the business would not be viable and would fail.
I wish them the best. This is all voluntary so I'll support it. If it was the state forcing you to pay your "fair" share, then I'll have a problem with the idea.
The whole problem with non-profits is you don't create capital to expand and grow the business.
In the real world, if you don't grow you will stagnate and go bankrupt.
Another angle to this is the cafe is receiving a subsidy from the food donations. If you remove the subsidies, the business would not be viable and would fail.
Stagnate sounds so negative I have known shops that did not grew, but not go bankrupt, either. They just remained more or less the same size. I guess it depends on what a businessperson is after. Not everybody wants to expand and grow, some are satisfied when they manage to maintain their small business over a long time...
I think, with the donations, it's clear this is not a legitimate business model. For small business owners especially, you can't depend on donations from suppliers, utilities. In order to pay expenses "pay what you can" can not be below cost. Panera is a big corporation. They can afford to do this one thing, and could probably afford it without the donations. Although it's good to collaborate with the community. Small business owners don't have Panera's luxury.
Yes, while stagnate sounds negative, it is accurate. With the small business owners that remain small -- they choose to, and probably pocket or re-direct the profits they make to survive and do other things -- maybe even do charity work or establish a savings for the business to ensure against tough times while keeping prices low for customers in good times. In order to have that choice, the bottom line is they have to make a profit and charge what their product is worth...
There are far better and more inspiring social not-for-profits out there, btw. This is a "meh"/shrug concept, imo.
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I have known shops that did not grew, but not go bankrupt, either. They just remained more or less the same size. I guess it depends on what a businessperson is after. Not everybody wants to expand and grow, some are satisfied when they manage to maintain their small business over a long time...