The area’s first meal preparation kitchen business is finding its expected customer base among busy moms, but the owner of the local Dinner by Design franchise is surprised at how many older couples are turning to her business.
“The surprising part to me is the empty nesters,” Pam Smitson said. “I was thinking we would have the families with children with lots of activities, professional women like myself who work, and we have them. But we have a lot of empty nesters.”
Smitson partnered with family members to open Dinner by Design last fall in a storefront along Tillotson Avenue.
The nationally franchised business — and others like it, including Dream Dinners — is based on the idea that busy families would eat better and spend less if they avoided fast food for dinner at the end of a long day of work and school and sports activities.
The basic package at Dinner by Design costs $199 and allows people to use the Dinner by Design kitchen, utensils and ingredients to make 12 entrees that serve four to six people each. The process takes less than three hours and the cost works out to about $2.76 a serving.
Smaller packages are available, and those in particular are winning favor from couples whose kids are grown and moved out of the house, Smitson said.
Lisa Lay is one of those empty-nesters.
“I’ve used them monthly since October, if not twice a month,” she said. “It’s hard to cook for two people.”
Smitson’s business offers other options, including assembly of meals for a fee. Lay said she often uses that option.
On a national level, Dinner by Design is working with Muncie-based Jarden Home Brands, a Ball Corporation spin-off that makes Ball preserving supplies. Jarden and Dinner by Design will cooperate on a summertime freezer jam recipe project, Smitson said.
Smitson is also an accountant for Whitinger and member of the local Women in Business Unlimited. The women’s business networking group recently had a progressive dinner that included a stop at Dinner by Design.
“There’s a lot of great things happening with this company,” Smitson said. “We have a long way to go, but I think we’re getting there.”
By KEITH ROYSDON for TheStarPress.com