The Economy Can Learn From Diddy Riese

As the line goes out the door and down the block, people begin to contemplate what will satisfy there sweet-tooth.

For the LA native, Diddy Riese is a Los Angeles landmark known for long lines, tasty treats and cheap prices. Started in 1983 in Westwood, CA right next to UCLA, Diddy Riese has marketed themselves as offering high quality cookies and baked goods at ‘reasonable prices.’ Reasonable is not the right word. I would say ‘great.’ Especially the way the economy has been, if Diddy Riese wasn’t so far from myself, I’d consider it a weekly stop.

So how cheap is it? Let’s take a look.

Not even at a Dreyers Ice Cream store could you get a scoop of ice cream for $1.00. For 50 cents more, you can even get there famous Ice Cream Sandwiches made with there homemade cookies. Not even pictured here are there Hot Dogs which are just as cheap and just as delicious. Can it get better? Of course it can. 32 oz drinks for $.90.

So whats the secret of Diddy Riese? How are they able to pay for the ridiculous rent near the UCLA campus and still keep there prices low and food tasting great? After speaking with a worker of 10 years at Diddy Riese, there response was simple, quality. Keep the quality great and people will come back. They said that there is no reason to charge $3.00 for a cookie when it only costs $.20 cents to make. Quality will equal more people, which will get you more sales. A very simple equation and after 25 years, they are still going strong. Perhaps this equation may not work for all of those in the economy trying to find a way out of this tumultuous time, but we can take at least one lession away from Diddy Riese.

You can never go wrong with 35 cent cookies…

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Diddy Riese

926 Broxton Avenue (@ Le Conte)

Westwood, CA 90024

310.208.0448