Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyPHOENIX, AZ -- Arizona residents are being encouraged to eat out more often as part of a new
Dine 4 AZ campaign, which officially launched Thursday.
The goal behind the campaign, sponsored by Arizona-based Shamrock Farms, is to get consumers to help the state budget by spending at restaurants.
Eating out contributes to the state budget through the sales taxes paid on bills, according to a news release from Shamrock.
The campaign website,
Dine4AZ.com, has a listings of 9,000 Arizona restaurants. You can type in a zip code and search.
During lunch at Tom's barbecue in Tempe on Thursday, there wasn't much talk about the economy; everyone's mouth was full.
"We like to think we're fishing, once we have you hooked we got ya," said owner Tom Ryan.
The past year has been tough at Tom's.
"We're feeling it just like any other business," said Ryan.
So Tom jumped on the chance to be apart of Dine 4 Arizona.
"It's a win, win for everybody. The more we take in the more taxes we pay," said Ryan.
According to
Dine 4 AZ sponsors, 3.95 percent of the state budgets’ funds come from the sales tax used in restaurants and bars.
Governor Jan Brewer said she is happy with the campaign’s goals.
“Dine for Arizona is a simple and a powerful way to support businesses that have a great impact on other businesses and ultimately our state's economy,” said Brewer. “I encourage all Arizonans to get behind the Dine for Arizona initiative.”
For more information about the
Dine 4 AZ campaign, visit their
website.
Will you dine out more to help Arizona's economy? Click 'add a comment' below to sound off.
