Would You Like A Discount With That Meal?

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 02, 2009 – posted by Jan Norman, small-business columnist, OC Register
HappyHourCard in Fountain Valley couldn’t have picked a better time to launch. During a recession, consumers want to save money and businesses want customers.  HappyHourCard links the two.
HappyHourCard is an entertainment membership concept that provides discounts at more than 150 Orange County restaurants, bars, nightclubs and movie theaters. It’s like those entertainment books without the printing costs.
What kind of deals can you get?
   * Finbars Italian Restaurant in Costa Mesa offers $1 off drinks during “non-happy-hours” and 15% off dinner.

   * Wild Rabbit Restaurant in Costa Mesa, offers buy one entree get one free.

   * The Improv Comedy Club in Brea offers $1 off drinks anytime and a free appetizer when the bill totals $40+.

   * Clae’s Restaurant in Laguna Beach provides a bottle of wine with the total bill is $150+
In less than a year it has signed up more than 15,000 members. And that’s pretty much local events and word of mouth because the firm has little money for marketing.
Nick Crane first started a company called DaterCard with the help of friends and family investors in 2008. In October he formed a new corporation and website known as HappyHourCard.com which is cash flow positive and generating revenues.
“In a tough economy this card saves people money… but HappyHourCard is not just about getting happy-hour pricing 24/7 and saving money on food and drinks,” Crane says. “It stands for trying new things at affordable pricing.”
The company hosts a lot of events where people can buy a year’s membership for $20. On the web site, it costs $50.
Here’s a special deal for Orange County Register online and print readers: You can buy a membership online using the promo  code Promo255 and pay just $20.
And now HappyHourCard is offering corporate packages: a company can buy 15 or more memberships for $10 each and have cards embossed with their company name and employees or clients’ name.
“Employees and clients will enjoy incentives at places they patronize every day with virtually no restrictions and cards can be used unlimited number of times,” Crane says.
After launching in O.C., HappyHourCard will be expanding into Los Angeles and if both are successful, future growth possibilities are San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago and New York, Crane says.