BOISE -- Game day means big business for local restaurants. At a time when many families are cutting back on eating out, college football is bringing in the fans and the dollars.
As players battle it out on the field, local restaurants battle it out for game day business. The Ram, Chili's, even Burger King, all trying to cash-in on hungry football fans.
"Tonight's going to be awesome for business," said Robyn Fisher, bartender and manager at Busters Sports Bar in Boise.
Fisher has been pouring drinks and serving food at Busters for the last eight years. And every year as Boise State picks up more wins, Fisher gets busier.
"College football is the best thing for us, the whole year actually. It's probably our top sport wanting to be watched at the restaurant," said Fisher.
Fisher says business at Busters increases five-fold on Bronco game day.
"Especially a home game. We'll have huge rushes before and even all those people who have tickets go to the stadium and everybody who doesn't have tickets will come in and watch," said Fisher.
Hooters business strategy involves Fantasy Football deals.
"Fantasy Football has been really big for us. We've done I'd say 20 to 30 Fantasy Football draft parties, said Mike Morehouse, general manager of Hooters in Boise.
With 20 million members nationwide Morehouse says the Fantasy Football promotion is paying off big time after a slow summer.
"July was a pretty flat month for us. It was kind of slow. But it's continually picking up. We were up 15 percent last week from the previous year sales," said Morehouse.
And the Boise State game against Virginia Tech could be equally good for business.
"We love all sorts of football, yes," said Morehouse.
"Especially Boise State stuff. Their fans are super loyal and will follow them where ever they go, so it's awesome for our business, said Fisher.
