People are starting to make their restaurant choices based on Pokemon Go
Pokemon GOIn just a few days, Pokémon Go has become a smash hit. Now, it's impacting all aspects of players' lives - including where they eat.
Social media reports reveal that Pokémon Go players are making their restaurant choices based on the availability of Pokémon in the area. And, restaurants are using that fact to attract customers.
The game, which launched last week, requires users to go to specific sites to "catch" Pokémon. These sites can be anywhere from hospitals, to abandoned hot dogs stands, to a vast array of restaurants.
If Pokémon Go reveals that a restaurant has certain Pokémon, it provides an incentive for customer to visit:
Some customers are reportedly even complaining when a restaurant doesn't have Pokémon - or, the right type of Pokémon.
At this point, it seems like a wise business move for restaurants to begin to cash in on the success of Pokémon Go, as the game seems to be driving customer visits and sales.
Some players are advising restaurants to take matters into their own hands, using lures (purchasable items that attract Pokémon) to lure in customers.
At least one restaurant has already done just that.
Tanghui, a high-end Chinese restaurant in Sydney, Australia, announced on Monday that the restaurant would be activating a Lure Model daily at lunch and dinner times, starting on Tuesday.
"Be alert with the time so that you will not miss out the Pokémon that you are searching for!" the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post announcing the plan.
A number of restaurants with Pokestops or Pokémon gyms nearby have taken to social media to share the news with potential customers.
"If you didn't know, The Fat Grass is a Pokémon gym, so come try your luck!" a Bay City, Texas restaurant and bar posted on its Facebook page on Saturday. "Pledge allegiance to your team with Valor, Mystic, and Instinct inspired kamikaze shots for $2!"
Others are offering discounts to players, such as CitySen Lounge in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Major restaurant chains, such as Applebee's, have taken to social media to retweet customers catching Pokémon on the premises.
Catching Pokemon while at Applebee's @PokemonGoNews pic.twitter.com/tYN1FOqMp8- Jayson casillas (@casillas_jayson) July 7, 2016
Pokémon Go may be a new game, but conveniently-located restaurants - and those that are willing to lure in customers with lures - are already reaping the rewards of learning how to play. At this point, it seems inevitable that more restaurants will jump on the bandwagon, as customer demands for Pokémon grows.