Talkin Texas

Archive for the ‘Friends’ Category

The Excitement of a Texas TV Shoot

Monday, April 12th, 2010

The Marketing Team gathered for our quarterly meeting and the decision was made to create some television spots featuring our mesquite-grilled 9oz ribeyes, 7oz sirloins and burgers. This is quite an event and many professionals come together to make all the beautiful footage we use in our commercials.

We work with a Robert LaTorre and his team at Big Fish Films. He is an amazingly talented and brilliant artist and director. Our first conversation begins with a budget and creative direction. Shot ideas and techniques are discussed, and soon after CurrentMarketing creates a storyboard of the vision for everyone to understand and agree to.
Next, our agency goes into coordination mode. Recipes are gathered, quantities of food items are determined. For example we may need 100 perfectly shaped brioche buns for our burger shot.

All American Burger

Talk about details! Everything is hand-picked and scrutinized. The food stylist makes all the difference. We spend the money to get the best because the food has to look great. And what you see is what you get. We don’t cheat on our portions. Everything is to spec. We use our product and processes. And I am on location to approve all presentations.

The shoot requires one day of pre-production and decisions on plated “stand-ins” for color and composition. Shot order is established, shot angles are walked through and reviewed via monitor. Hand movements are practiced and every second is planned out. We pack a ton in one day because shooting video is very expensive and as a 29-store restaurant chain we are frugal with our marketing dollars.

The day of the shoot is really a lot of fun. We have great “craft services” (code for unbelievable treats to snack on throughout the day). And a giant HD TV monitor so we can see every “take” very close up. Some of us get to participate in the shoot by flipping a burger or squeezing a lime. I am known in some parts as the “King of the Rib Tear,” a move I managed to perfect a few years ago.

The actual shooting, scheduled for early next month, will take three full days. I always look forward to working with everyone there, from the lighting techs or “gaffers” to the “steamer” (guy who creates the steam coming from a hot dish). It is an action-filled day with many decisions. It requires patience, creativity and experience. And we always come away with fabulous footage that we’re proud to use to represent Texas Steakhouse & Saloon.

Terry Smith
President
Texas Steakhouse & Saloon


Bookmark and Share

“Cowboy at Heart” wins big with Texas!

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Texas-sized congratulations go out to Eric Miller, December winner of our Texas Steakhouse for a Year sweepstakes! Eric, who hails from the Princeton, West Virginia area, was chosen at random from over 3,000 entries and will receive a $25 gift certificate each week for 52 weeks.

An avid horseman, Eric is known to show up at the Princeton Texas Steakhouse and Saloon with up to 15 of his fellow riders — plus their horses in tow! And he says that he seeks out Texas Steakhouse not primarily for the steaks, but for our Crunchy Fried Shrimp and Chicken Tenders.

Eric adds, “I’m basically a cowboy at heart, so it fits. We usually show up at Texas Steakhouse at the end of a long day on the trail, after we’ve been riding about 8 hours. We let the horses rest in the trailers while we basically clean the place out.”

Eric Miller lives with his wife, Rebekah and their two children, in Peterstown, West Virginia.

Eric Miller with his horse Diablo

Photo: Eric pictured with his stallion Diablo, one of his 11 horses.


Bookmark and Share

Travelin’ – Real Texas Style

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

We receive all sorts of good stories here at Texas Steakhouse headquarters, but this one is a new favorite of ours. Donna Franks, a three month long member of our Real Texan E-Club and West Virginia patron, recently submitted this story to us on our Texas Steakhouse & Saloon Facebook Fan Page:

“I want to thank you, Texas Steakhouse, for helping me return home to my family. In November I flew to visit Harvard Graduate School. Somewhere along the line I lost my driver’s license and I didn’t have it for identification for the return flight home. The airport dude asked me if I had any other form of picture ID and I found one! My Texas Steakhouse Gold Club card, complete with picture uploaded as required, came to my rescue. I was able to board my flight and return home. Thank you, Texas Steakhouse!”

DonnaFranks

Bookmark and Share

Toasted What?

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

I love our margaritas now that we are using quality ingredients like Monin syrups. It has made all the difference in our sales and most of our guests order a second one because of the “drinkability.” Our 99¢ Margarita promotion has been a big hit, with Classic and Strawberry Margaritas as the main favorites. Until now.

The Bar Team just introduced a new flavor for the holiday season called, “Toasted Marshmallow.” And it is quickly becoming the favorite! I was a little skeptical at first. Mixing tequila with something I have always eaten between two graham crackers with melted chocolate? Hmmm. I had to try it and wow, what a surprise. They actually taste great and you don’t really notice the tequila. A guest sampled one AFTER her meal last night, instead of dessert, and said it was a great finish!

You have to try one. It’s only $1.49 for a limited time and guaranteed to make you feel “toasty” all over!

Reese, District Manager

2009 Marshmallow Margarita

Bookmark and Share