You Spoke, The Club Listened

by Staff Sgt. Roy Lynch
366th Public Affairs

10/11/2012 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The Gunfighter Club recently asked for assistance with customer support and received more than 200 replies on ways to conduct business in a better, more customer-friendly way. The new changes went into effect as of Oct. 1.

For years, the Air Force Clubs have been offering club discounts for their members. Here at Mountain Home, members have enjoyed those savings a dollar at a time when purchasing lunch at Striker's Grille, Hacker's and the club itself.

Beginning Oct. 15, club members will see a change in how discounts are given and an expansion to the number of facilities that will be involved.

"In the past, if you didn't eat lunch at the club, bowling alley or golf course, it was very difficult for you to see many benefits to your club membership," said Tommy Brooks, 366th Force Support Squadron community services flight chief. "Now you will be able to see those benefits at the swimming pool, outdoor recreation, arts & crafts and other activities as well with the new calendar of savings."

The calendar of savings offers a discount at a different facility every month, and if used fully, is a minimum $220 savings per year, per person.

"The thing some people may not understand is that the club had to pay back the other facilities for the flat rate monetary discount they were offering," said Brooks. "If the golf course gave out $500 in discounts a month, then the club would have to transfer $500 to the golf course to cover any loss it caused to that food operation."

Brooks said in the club's current financial situation, it could no longer pay those additional costs.

"Everyone should understand that as budgets are drawn down, we are left with the choice of either making money or closing our doors in FSS facilities and that includes the club," he said. "We need your support more now than ever before."

In an effort to keep the doors of the club open, FSS conducted a survey due to a 30 percent decrease in customer patronage since Jan. 1.

"Lunch sales were so far down," said Brooks. "We went to the customers and asked--what are we doing wrong and why are you not coming."

A wider variety of food and lower prices is what the customers wanted so they lowered prices for the buffet.

Buffet prices for members are now $7.75 and $8.75 for nonmembers. There is also a soup and salad option for members at $5.95 and $6.95 nonmembers.
More than just menu prices have changed, the menu itself is different.

"We will have five different themes for five different days," said Brooks. "Mondays are southern, Tuesdays are Asian, Wednesdays are Italian, Thursdays are home-style and Fridays are Mexican themed."

Each theme has different dishes that can be used.

"We are not tied into having just fried chicken on the southern theme," said Doug Rhodes, 366th FSS club manager. "If we have a theme we can rotate the foods in and out."

If you have a hail or farewell guest of honor, Brooks said the club will take care of them during any of the themed lunches. The club will be starting a barbeque to-go on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you have questions or would like the details of the new calendar of savings for club members, you can contact the club at 828-2105. Calendar of Savings