7. Steal the happy hour concept
Among other things (co-worker bonding, post-deadline decompression), happy hour was a brilliant idea for filling a restaurant during the otherwise quiet time before the dinner rush. Sonic Drive-In steals the happy hour concept with its half-price drinks and slushes from 2 to 4 p.m., and late-night happy hour with half-price shakes. Starbucks regularly attempts to boost its own midday sales with bounce-back coupons on morning receipts for discounted pastry items after 2 p.m.