Lunch For Success

Ahhh, the $30 Michael’s Burger

Posted on 22. Jan, 2009 by Craig Peters in Uncategorized

Everyone’s cutting back. If you work for the New York Times, you’re going to have to go easy on your Michael’s burgers, according to Keith Kelly’s article at newyorkpost.com:

New York Times Co. Chairman Arthur “Pinch” Sulzberger Jr. appears to have issued a de facto ban on Times staffers dining at Michael’s or the Four Seasons, the pricey watering holes of the media elite.

Times Deputy Managing Editor William Schmidt, in a memo written to the entire newsroom staff last week, reminded one and all that business meals must conform to pricing guide lines that include $15 per person for break fast, $25 to $30 per per son for lunch and $45 to $50 a person for dinner.

The famed Michael’s Burger at the East Side eatery costs $30 alone.

And that’s not all. Schmidt said the company “will not subsidize or reimburse business meals or drinks involving only your fellow Times colleagues.

“In other words, we will not absorb the costs of taking one another out for drinks, lunch or dinner.”

Exceptions will be made in rare instances, Schmidt said, such as when an editor takes out a reporter to discuss a promotion.

This just means that you’ve got to make the most of your business meals when you have them. There’s more at stake now. Sure, if you’re just going to lunch with some friends, then downgrade to a $12 burger. If your meeting is important enough, and your guest will like Michael’s, then $30 for a burger might be very much in order.

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