I have been working on getting a portfolio together to take to restaurant managers in order to get some regular business. I am planning on offering a special for a "family night" on what would normally be a slow night for business. I am hoping this will lead to more chances to practice and hand out business cards.

Do any of you clown for restaurants? Also, which restaurants do clowns have the most success getting jobs with? Any help would be greatly appreciated! 8)

Thanks!
Darrell "Hayseed"

I've not been lucky in this, but have had a few occasions. Check and see if any resturants have sched. groups already. Chick fil-a here has one Frid. /month that they have a special guest and I've gotten to do this and they paid for it, I had tried to several times to meet the manager, but just so happens she got one of my cards, didn't know there was a local clown. She can get some one with those character costumes pretty cheap which is who she uses most of the time..

But I will be at Dunkin Donut next week a couple of nights, I'm working for tips and free coffee, Latte[ have you see the price of a latte?}

A porfolio is the way to go. A professional beginning is the best way to start out.

I am also STILL trying to land a regular job in the DFW area, and not having much luck with it. I have a porfolio Im using, and with as many restaurants around here as there are, I would think business should be booming...

Nonetheless...

Chains seem to be more difficult, most of the reasons I've been given is that they have to have upper management approve. Mom and Pop restaurants seem to be more successful since they don't have as much management to deal with. I would recommend starting with these if you have any small businesses like this in your area...

There was a clown who used to frequent a local Wendy's in my neighborhood. I think her name was Clorini, but I was very little and didn't remember and truthfully, I was a little nervous around clowns back then. :(

dont believe chains when they tell you they cant because they are a corporation. if an olive garden tells you that, still try a different olive garden. ive found it to just be an excuse, not the truth and that a different owner in the next town might be really excited about the prospect of entertainment in their facility.

I took a job recently at a restaurant called CiCi's Pizza. I'ts an all you can eat pizza buffet and they have a mini arcade for the kids. I set it up where I would face paint for tips for a couple of weeks on Friday nights and if they like what they saw we would negotiate it being a regular paying gig. I will be talking with them this week so we will see what happens. I wouldn't keep doing for tips though. I worked for 3 hours and only made about $45.00. I probably won't ask for as much per hour as I would at a birthday party. I don't think a restaurant will pay it but I could be wrong.


GiGi :D

Thanks for the responses and tips. I plan on calling a few restaurants in about 2 weeks. I have a few problems to iron out at my full time job (actually a lot of problems, lol) and then I am going to get out the phone book and see what happens.

Thanks again! 8)
Darrell "Hayseed"

worst they can do is say no so it is worth a shot.

I took a job recently at a restaurant called CiCi's Pizza. I'ts an all you can eat pizza buffet and they have a mini arcade for the kids.
GiGi :D

That chain is a common tip generator in our area of North Texas. I personally have not done business with them but have heard great things about it. Hope things work out for you on this.

We have a contract for the next year to be at Golden Corral for "Family Night" every Tuesday night. We have done that for a couple years now.

In my area clowns also appear at Wendy's and Ruby Tuesdays every week.

I got a regular thing at a Friendly's restaurant for $125-200 for three hours every week.

congrats on the gig! 8)

So, what kind of an act can you do at a resturant? If it has an arcade/play place, I suppose face painting, balloon animals etc...
Otherwise, would you be doing small walk-around tricks, cards, puns, and so on and so forth?

Just need an idea of appropriate gags for a resturant. I know some people get very touchy when around food, so I'd hate to insult/annoy anyone.

You have the right idea. If the restaurant is big enough, setting up a face painting station for patrons to come to you during the meal's downtime is a great idea. Otherwise, balloons and small magic, gags and funny props are good for walking around table to table. Be sure to go after they've ordered but before the food comes out, unless they specifically call you over to their table. Also, if you notice a table eyeing you but going over at that time would get in the way of the waiter, go over and tell them you'll come back after they've ordered or finished eating. Hope that helps with things to avoid the tricky food/undefoot issue.

i cant wait till i get one

What works well for me is this-(I do two on a regular basis) Sell it (your pitch) as a marketing tool. Most managers see it as a perk to the customers rather than a money maker for the business. Explain to them that you develope a following as you go- if they advertise you , it doesn't take as long, but if you provide a poster or large color pic announcing when you'll be there, that will do. It has to be the same time every week so people can plan on being there. If you offer a reasonable price they are likely to keep you longer. (Less than market value but enough to make it worth your while as extra income per month). Like any other gig, make sure you both understand how much and when you'll be paid. Good luck! PolkaDot