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Frequently Asked Questions click on any title to see full comments HOW DOES THE SERVICE WORK? WHAT ABOUT SECURITY ISSUES? WHY SHOULD WE LET YOU INTO OUR OFFICES? WHATS THIS ABOUT CREDIT? IS THIS YOUR ONLY STOP? WHO ARE YOUR OTHER CLIENTS? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LEFT OVER FOOD EACH DAY? How TLC delivery works: Perhaps the simplest way to think of the TLC service is as a daily business-to-business mobile deli. Each day, 100's of Victoria businesses look forward to the arrival of their TLC representative and their distinctive blue serving tray filled with sandwiches, sushi, pasta and bakery goods, all freshly made that morning. Typically, the TLC rep will find a small space to make the goods readily available to those who are interested, do some quick business then be off to the next regular stop on their list. It's a simple, quick and efficient process. Each TLC driver typically visits 25 to 50 businesses in the course of his/her morning deliveries. Each year, TLC representatives deliver more than 100,000 lunches. With such tight schedules, TLC reps can only afford to spend an average of 5-7 minutes at each stop. This minimizes the impact on our clients' business day while maximizing the morale value of our service. Security Issues: As Victoria continues to grow and expand, the buildings we serve become more and more security conscious. We understand. It is no different for us, and we take measures to secure our own premises. Knowing the people who come and go is an important part of any security system. To that end, allow us to present ourselves... You might be surprised to know that Todayıs Lunch Company (TLC) has been serving Victoria and the surrounding communities since 1985 and is Victoriaıs largest mobile catering company... many times larger than any of the services which use the silver trucks. TLC employs about 50 people. Beyond the food distributed through its 16 full-time delivery drivers, TLC has a cappuccino cafe and does business-luncheon catering, serving more than 120,000 lunches every year. Todayıs Lunch Company has a pristine, 20-year record in operating within Victoriaıs high-security buildings. In all that time, we have never had a security incident of any kind. Contrary to common assumption, most of our delivery drivers are long-term employees and have been with us for more than 5 years; the top three, for more than 10 years. These are not transients who drift in and out of employment. Such people can not survive in our unique structure where each driver is responsible for running their own delivery service. For successful TLC drivers, the pay can be very good. That is why they tend to stick with it. Most of our representatives have families and mortgages, just like you. The only difference is that they are self-employed and do not work behind a desk. Of course, ultimately, Todayıs Lunch Company takes full responsibility for the actions of each of its representatives. All TLC representatives are willing and able to be bonded, should you deem that necessary. The quality of our products and the integrity of our personnel are no different from those of vending machine, bottled water and plant care services. Similarly, we require access to do our job, which is to serve your employees quickly and efficiently. Experience has taught us that in order for our service to work (both, for us and the employer), we usually require access to the employees at or near their workstations. This is the most efficient and least disruptive way. Relegating us to a lunchroom or lobby requires employees to notify one another of our arrival, then leave their work. In most cases, our years of faithful service have earned enough trust that the individual driver is issued an access card and follows a regular route through the public areas. For these reasons, we respectfully request that you extend us this same courtesy. Features and Benefits: * Increased productivity: No need for employees to abandon their work at lunch or coffee break: the food is delivered to them. * Decreased downtime: Many employees find it difficult to get out, get food, get back and still find time to eat during a normal lunch break. Often, the break gets stretched at both ends through early departures and late returns. Our service eliminates that problem. * Convenience: rain or snow, sun or shower, lunch and snacks delivered to your office, daily. * Check out the menu: We provide much more than just sandwiches. A broad and varied menu means that most people can find something they enjoy. * Economics: Many employees will save money. It would be a challenge to find less expensive healthy fare. * Freshness guaranteed: The food is prepared fresh, every day, at the TLC facility: guaranteed wholesome and nutritious. * Reliable Service: Unlike other lunch catering services, TLC reps have a solid reputation for always being there; everyday, on time. * Morale: Allowing access to our service is no-cost way to show employees that you care. * Efficiency: TLC reps are always watching the clock, in order to make their rounds on time. They are friendly, but also fast and efficient. They do not dawdle and they will not disrupt your business. * Choices: Our service adds one more, very convenient, low cost restaurant/bakery to your list of lunch options. * Luncheon meeting? Just tell your TLC rep for an on-the-spot quote. They will be glad to put together an attractive platter of sandwiches, veggies, bakery treats and juices, and deliver them to your meeting. Credit is a privilege, not a right. As a convenience to our customers, many TLC reps offer interest-free credit. If you have temporarily run short of cash, or it is inconvenient to get your wallet, the TLC rep will simply record the amount owing and collect it later. When the debt is due varies slightly from TLC rep to TLC rep but usually it's due immediately after your next pay day -- sooner, if possible. When you get paid, we get paid. Where does credit come from? Credit is given at no interest by TLC representatives. It comes directly out of their pockets. They have already paid for the food by the time it gets to you. If you don't pay, the loss doesn't come out of some corporate slush fund... it comes out of that TLC reps pocket. It is a very personal matter. Now, imagine this... What if you went to your employer expecting your paycheck and he/she said "Sorry, but I'm a little tapped out, man. Here's 2 bucks. I'll pay you the rest as soon as I can." (We get that a lot) You did the job, you earned the money but this guy's decided he needs what is rightfully yours more than you do. How would you feel? That's how we feel. In a sense you are our employers. You're the ones who pay us. You bought the product. You owe the money. Common Misconceptions: * Credit is not for people who aren't able to pay. It is a convenience for those who can pay, but don't happen to have the cash on them. * Credit can not be left outstanding forever! Refer to the one rule, above. * Credit is not extended to everyone. It is a judgement call and a matter of trust. Abuse it and lose it. * Paying some of your outstanding debt is not the same as paying in full. The amount left on the bill is still missing from your TLC rep's pocket. * Yes, we do prosecute. If you don't pay... Our first course of action is to ask politely for the money that we are owed. We've all been through money troubles of our own in our lives and we are extremely understanding. It is not difficult to arrange reasonable payback terms... and remember, we still won't charge interest. Our second course of action is to cut off credit to you. Third, we cut off credit to those around you. If you won't pay because you owe, maybe you'll pay because you're pissing off your coworkers. Fourth: Small claims court. Well, here's the reality. If you owe only a couple of bucks and suddenly go awol, you will probably get away with it. If you owe more however, and your representative decides to take the matter to small claims, it will cost you hundreds because you will have to pay all the skip tracer, bailiff and court costs. And the judgement will stay in effect, and follow you, for 10 years. As a last resort, we publish your particulars on the internet for all to see. Current offenders (which, thankfully are few and far between) can be viewed through this TLC website. Want to know if you're on the list? Just type your name into any of the popular search engines. THANK YOU! Is this your only stop? Each TLC driver typically visits 25 to 50 businesses in the course of his/her morning deliveries. Each year, TLC representatives deliver more than 100,000 lunches. With such tight schedules, TLC reps can only afford to spend an average of 5-7 minutes at each stop. This minimizes the impact on our clients' business day while maximizing the morale value of our service. Some of our customers... * Andrew Sherat Plumbing Supplies * Casson Film Studios * Canada Housing and Mortgage * Canadian Linen * Columbia Fuels * Dave Wheaton GM * Terasen Gas * Victoria Time-Colonist Newspaper * Bluebird Taxi * Empress Taxi * Forest Renewal BC * Forest Practices Board * ICBC * Ministry of Health * Ministry of Environment, Lands and Resources * Mallory's Interior Design * Ministry of Education * Moores Suits for Men * Municipality of Saanich * Paynes Marine * Pharmacare * Pier One Imports * Saanich Police * Shaw Cable * Sprott-Shaw Community College * Telus * Trafford Publishing * Victoria Realestate Board * Victoria Surgery * Ocean Sciences What happens to the left over food, each day? Today's Lunch Company is proud to be a good community member and donates all left over food, each day, to Victoria's homeless to help feed those less fortunate than ourselves. |