“Splitting” has become such a phenomenon, it’s hard to believe that when we first opened Let’s Dish! in 2004, the practice didn’t even exist. But customers asked for it, and we agreed — at first just ”OK’ing” it (despite higher costs for additional bags, labels, etc) and later adding dedicated splitters’ instructions, labels, etc.
 As the practice of splitting continues to evolve (an estimated 60% of our customers split at least some of the time), we continue to get valid questions and suggestions. While we can’t accomodate all of them, we are always happy to respond. Below you’ll find two frequently asked questions — and our feedabck. Feel free to chime in with your own comments below!
Q. With so many people splitting these days, why don’t you put the “splitters’” utensils at the stations? It would be much easier for people making full meals to use two scoops than it is for us splitters to have to estimate a half-scoop.
That’s a great point, and certainly one under consideration. The ideal, perhaps, would be to have both sets of utensils (fulls and splitters) out there. But people seem to agree that having both would just lead to confusion. So we have to choose one or the other.
 Using splitters’, per the suggestion above, seems to make the most sense. Indeed, it’s easier to use, say, the half-cup twice (if you’re a “full”-maker) than it is to estimate the half mark on a full-cup utensil (if you’re a splitter).  Problem is that our long-time customers are so used to seeing the “full” utensils, we are worried that they won’t get it, won’t ask, and will put ½ as much as they really should (i.e., they’ll just use the utensil once instead of doubling). So there is a small danger to making this change… we’d need to do a good job of “re-educating” folks. But we’re not afraid of a good idea, and are currently testing this change in one of our Maryland stores. If it solves more problems than it creates, look for “splittlers’” to be our default utensils by the end of 2008. Stay tuned…
Q. I live just with my husband and “splits” are too big for just the two of us. I’d like to divide your dishes into thirds, each of which serves 2 people. Is this permitted?
Let’s Dish! policy is to allow customers to make “full” or “split” menu items with 2-3 and 4-6 servings, respectively. Generally speaking, we cannot allow customers to further split meals (into three meals for two or six individual meals, for example). There are two reasons for this policy:
·        Our Food Team carefully tests fulls and splits, and provides accurate and vetted cooking instructions for each. We haven’t had enough demand for further splitting to justify testing, special labels, instructions, etc. We want everyone to love their meals, and not have to stand in front of the stove guessing.
·        Making “thirds” or “sixths” takes the customer more time and creates additional traffic at the stations; we want to make sure stations (and customers) are moving fast enough to deliver on the Let’s Dish! promise of quick and easy assembly.
