Now they've been open for a while, how is their business?

They seem to be doing great. I commute past there weekday mornings and there are always people in there eating breakfast. They serve coffee from Elemental, which makes it a definite draw for me. Weekday lunches are busy but not too bad. Weekends as has been said the line is out the door beginning by around 9:30 AM and not dissipating until close at 1PM.

So what I can't figure out, re:dinner hours is if they (a) don't think they can bring in the customers--which I really doubt considering their lively business and the imminent opening of the Edge down the street or (b) they are making so much freaking money that they don't feel the need to bother with it.

Now they've been open for a while, how is their business?

I think they're doing really well. If you do t get there early on the weekends, you'll be in line for a while. It's not as busy on weekdays,but they seem to do a steady business. The quality hasn't slipped either, as far as I can tell. I take all of my out of town visitors.

I'm here all the time. Business is usually booming, especially on the weekends. There is generally a 15-25 wait just to order your food on the weekend.

If this place ever went 24 hours, I'm not sure I could here anymore.

Todd is just taking his time to do it right. He's a great guy and a smart businessman. He wants this place to be an OKC institution. They will be phasing in outdoor patio seating once the railing and outdoor sidewalk amenities are approved. There is a definite broad desire he recognizes for later service. They are being judicious. Great comments on the kids food. Live music is being added to the ambience on certain evenings such as H&8th.

I think he's being smart. How many people are going to choose to eat waffles for dinner? That is the ultimate question.

I think he's being smart. How many people are going to choose to eat waffles for dinner? That is the ultimate question.

But think about it for dessert! There are a million awesome-sounding sweet, dessert-y waffles on the menu that just never sound right to me at noon. At noon I want the sausage and eggs and bacon, not the chocolate syrup and whipped cream. But at 8:30, as an after-dinner treat? Mmmmhhhh.

I suspect emerging night life scene (McNellies plus Fassler Hall / Dust Bowl, Bleu Garten, R&J Supper Club, Broadway 10 and Sidecar, with more to come) as well as lots of new residential in the immediate area (The Edge, Lift, Francis Apartments, etc.) might entice them to extend their hours.

I think he's being smart. How many people are going to choose to eat waffles for dinner? That is the ultimate question.

Well if they considered my diet, I would be okay with waffles for dinner 7 nights out of 7.

I'm in a shrinking demographic as a pretty unhealthy eater, though. :)

I think he's being smart. How many people are going to choose to eat waffles for dinner? That is the ultimate question.I will eat waffles for dinner, so that's one person. ;)

WC posting on social media asking about feedback for 24 hour operation.

Yes, please give them your feedback on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wafflechampion):



options, options, options.. we want to hear from you. lookin' at possibly extending hours after the holidays/spring-ish. 3 options we're thinkin' of (all of which we will remain closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance):

1. Starbucks style 7-7pm
2. Split day 7-2pm, 7-2am
3. 24 hours, open at 7am Tuesday and straight through til 7am Monday.

Split day might be the best for the near term; really glad to see they are considering this.

I will eat waffles for dinner, so that's one person. ;) Me too, especially if chicken is involved too.

I knew it was just a matter of time. I have a feeling this restaurant will eventually be 24-hours especially after The Edge and LIFT fill up.

WC posting on social media asking about feedback for 24 hour operation.I've been asking them nonstop for them to open 24 hours. This is awesome!!!!

... I'm in a shrinking demographic as a pretty unhealthy eater, though. :)

Not much on fru fru or greens galore here either. Though no one ever suggests my particular demographic is shrinking. :)

From their Facebook page

"new handrail n' seats.. now we just need some heaters!"

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10690102_744882058913253_91164005148869889_n.jpg?o h=2ec278fce0dd300c05cbcefba42a8ee1&oe=550876B2&__gda__=1427026480_371595c39491381fb8e13992c3ffd32 d

- https://www.facebook.com/wafflechampion/photos/a.211915675543230.49780.157433530991445/744882058913253/?type=1

I think I will pass on eating 18 inches away from a car going 35mph.

Nice!

I think I will pass on eating 18 inches away from a car going 35mph.Most cars I'm behind when traveling through there, especially during WC business hours when it is packed, are doing less than 20.

Even if they were doing 50, it wouldn't bother me.

^^^

Yeah, I was going to say that obviously there's a stop sign on the south end of the block, and isn't there a stoplight on the north end? If so, speed will be drastically reduced.

I think I will pass on eating 18 inches away from a car going 35mph.

Cars move pretty slow in that area (traffic circle to the south and stop sign to the north) and they will likely move even slower when they're looking over and see all the people eating right in front of them. Love the creative urbanism.

They needed to do something. the past 4 times we have decided to eat there there line was out the door so we went elsewhere.

They needed to do something. the past 4 times we have decided to eat there there line was out the door so we went elsewhere.

Maybe they could lower the quality of their product so people quit frequenting their establishment. ;)

Just kidding. But what do you think they can do? I don't think they're overrun all the time, but if you try to go Sunday morning, for example, there's going to be a wait.

We went on Saturday at 1. There was a line to the door, but they were able to have a table for 2 (could have sat 4) ready before we ordered. The line can seem overwhelming, but I've never waited more than 15 minutes from line to food being delivered... and I've always gone around lunctime on the weekend.

^^^

Yeah, I was going to say that obviously there's a stop sign on the south end of the block, and isn't there a stoplight on the north end? If so, speed will be drastically reduced.

You're not wrong. They should also add a diagonal stone crosswalk with ped signs.

They needed to do something. the past 4 times we have decided to eat there there line was out the door so we went elsewhere.

The line can look daunting. It actually moves pretty quickly. Went twice within the past three weeks when I had visitors in town. Each time the line was wrapped around the northwest end of the building, but we never waited more than 15 minutes for a table and our order.

Oops, looks like I'll have to park my scooter somewhere else when I make Saturday and Sunday morning waffle runs!

Expanding their hours will/would likely help spread out the crush a bit.

Maybe they could lower the quality of their product so people quit frequenting their establishment. ;)

Just kidding. But what do you think they can do? I don't think they're overrun all the time, but if you try to go Sunday morning, for example, there's going to be a wait.

Oh I catch them without a line now and then and then i stop. I am sure it moves fast enough but sometimes you just don't feel like standing in line so I just pick another spot.

I've only been a few times, but the last time was on a Sunday morning and it took about an hour from the time our group got there before we got our food. But, it was fine. We expected it and it was worth the wait. Maybe things have sped up recently though...

I think I will pass on eating 18 inches away from a car going 35mph.

Ya, just a little to close to the street to be able to provide a pleasant eating atmosphere. Plus Im not sure I want a bunch of drivers watching me sloppily destroy a waffle taco.

I deleted a bunch of posts that were way off topic.

Back to discussing Waffle Champions please.

I guess this place is still doing well. About 30 people lined up outside the door this morning.

Does anybody know what ever happened to their plan for extended hours? They mentioned at the end of last year about changing their hours to be open late-night as well but nothing ever came of it.

I guess this place is still doing well. About 30 people lined up outside the door this morning.
Yeah, on weekends you need to get there before about 8:45 AM or you're screwed. I haven't figured out why, but the difference between 8:45 and 9 is almost without fail the difference between having 2-3 in line at the counter vs 20-30. It's weird, and incredibly consistent. If you get there before 8:30 you can generally walk directly to the counter and order.

Yeah, on weekends you need to get there before about 8:45 AM or you're screwed. I haven't figured out why, but the difference between 8:45 and 9 is almost without fail the difference between having 2-3 in line at the counter vs 20-30. It's weird, and incredibly consistent. If you get there before 8:30 you can generally walk directly to the counter and order.
It's likely because they only have one POS system, so when a person takes a minute or two to order and you compound that you end up with that huge line that they always have. What's great is that service after that point is pretty damn quick, and you'll have your food usually no more than five minutes after you order; that single POS system is just a crushing bottleneck.

^^^^^^
I agree about the slight bottleneck, but what I am saying is that at 8:30 there are generally maybe a dozen people eating there. At 8:45 there might be 20 eating and 2 or 3 in line. At 9 there are 50 dining and 30 or more in line. Everyone shows up there at the same time. You can almost set your clock by it.

Go at 8:30 or before and there is no wait and lots of seating. Even if they added another POS and relieved the bottleneck, no way you'd have a seat after ordering if you get there past 9. The POS bottleneck actually serves a purpose.

So with that, is it like that on weekday mornings as well? I've only ever been Saturday and Sunday.

Not sure, I've only been on (many, MANY) weekends myself!

I've only been on weekends as well, however I would venture to guess they are quite dead on weekday mornings. Most people do not eat at sit down restaurants before work, and a majority of the downtown population is professional workers that are likely in the office by 7-9am.

I bet they have a good lunch rush between 11-1 however. I may go on Thursday morning and let you all know what the crowd is.

So with that, is it like that on weekday mornings as well? I've only ever been Saturday and Sunday.

Weekday mornings are quiet, but steady. By no means are they dead. But unlike weekends you can usually walk right up to the counter and not stand in line.

Not sure how to attach screenshots, but on a post from Feb 14, this happened:

"Jeremy Harrison Staying open later than 2 would thin out this line and increase profits. It's time already... I avoid waits like this and it's sad because I LOVE the food here.
Like · Reply · 1 · February 28 at 8:44pm

Waffle Champion July 7th, mark it in your calendar #24/6
Like · 2 · February 28 at 10:55pm"

Assuming the 1 day off will be Monday?

Nice, so it will be open 24-hours 6 days per week? This will be awesome!

Here in Waffle Champion right now. This is the first time I have been on a weekday.

My previous comment about "dead" was a relative term. Compared to the crowd commonly seen on the weekends it is "dead". That's not to say they are doing bad business. I counted 16 total patrons across 6 parties. I'm about to leave now and there's still about 16 people across 6 or 7 tables, but it's none of the same people. They are maintaining a very steady however small crowd. Combined with their food truck prices, I'm sure they are still maintaining great sales during the week. About every 5 minutes someone gets up, and moments later another party comes in. No wait and no lines. So if you have been dying to try it but are turned away by the weekend lines, come in on the weekday.

Good to hear, thank you!

Apparently the rumor that they were going 24/6 on July 7th was just a rumor. Disappointing as OKC definitely needs more late night spots that aren't chains. It makes sense though as per Oklahoma law, they cannot be open past 2am under any circumstances if alcohol is served. The owner of Empire Slice House has said he would like to stay open until 4am serving only pizza but the state law says if alcohol is served, nobody can still be in the building after 2am.

Apparently the rumor that they were going 24/6 on July 7th was just a rumor. Disappointing as OKC definitely needs more late night spots that aren't chains. It makes sense though as per Oklahoma law, they cannot be open past 2am under any circumstances if alcohol is served. The owner of Empire Slice House has said he would like to stay open until 4am serving only pizza but the state law says if alcohol is served, nobody can still be in the building after 2am.

Well either he is mistaken or New York Pizza, Fuzzies, and several other restaurants in Norman have been operating illegally for most of the last decade. The law states that you can't serve alcohol after 2, not that you can't operate a restaurant that serves alcohol after 2.

Looks like people can get a delicious stuffed waffle in the PM very soon. I saw that WC is going to add a late night order window to their store front.

That's a great idea!

Their walk-up window is open 7PM to 2AM Fridays and Saturdays:

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/12360251_916448131756644_2868308121189922353_n.jpg ?oh=b0af0c954bcf3120e289b2b3989880a1&oe=56EA2E3F

Good to know. Better area than where Bobo's is.

And one of the few establishments in the entire metro that actually knows what scrambled eggs are.

Oklahoma,is so in need off a 24 hour diner, serving up great food......

Thank goodness for this. We needz MOAR. And the walk up window approach is totally fine.

Nice will have to keep that in mind. I like that Guyetes also serves food late.

Oklahoma,is so in need off a 24 hour diner, serving up great food......

Some new places have experimented with extended hours but it hasn't been economically feasible.

I think it depends on the place. I don't think just an existing place can open late and properly get the word out to make it feasible. I don't know how long of a run people have tried extended hours but it takes a while for word to spread. I think if a place like 24 or Magnolia in Austin opened in Plaza or midtown as a 24 hours concept they would catch on quick. I mean if Beverlys can stay open I would think a quality place could make a go of it.

Keeping long hours is very expensive.

Just go to a lunch / dinner place at 2:30 in the afternoon. I was in Iron Star at this time yesterday and I was the only person in there other than staff.

Not much money to be made in off hours and you have to pay wait staff, kitchen staff, utilities, etc.


If there was money to be made, people would do it. Ultimately, a place or two downtown might be feasible but until then with have iHop and some others outside the core.

As per Dave Cathey, an interesting new concept will be happening here.

http://www.oklahoman.com/waffle-champion-expands-its-brand/article/5474885


However, Woodruff has found a couple of ways to maximize his current Midtown space when Waffle Champion is closed.

He recently hired chef Colin Stringer, formerly of Nani, as executive chef to further his kitchen staff's education and to operate a pop-up concept called Nonesuch on Monday nights. For Nonesuch, Stringer sources local ingredients to
create a multicourse meal with wine pairings for $80.

On the first Monday of each month, the cost is $45 for a smaller dinner.