Starbucks, Haagan Dazs Find Opportunity in Economic Downturn

(MoneyWatch)  Restaurants have generally taken a hit lately as more consumers pinch pennies and cook at home. But a weak economy doesn't have to be all bad news, and a few chains have been finding clever ways to turn the situation to their advantage.

Landlords, for example, are eager to hold onto their tenants, and Starbucks has been using that fact to push for better deals. "We are reaching out to all landlords globally to look for opportunities to renegotiate rents under our leases," CEO Howard Schultz said during January's earnings call. "We are eager to work with landlords to find solutions that are mutually beneficial."

The company has declined to give details, but Bloomberg just reported that Starbucks landlords have received letters asking for as much as a 25 percent rate reduction.

Haagan Dazs, meanwhile, is hoping that the favorable terms being offered for real estate will encourage potential franchisees, thus boosting the company's expansion plans.

And McDonald's is scooping up discounted advertising, particularly in local markets, where media outlets are dropping their rates in an attempt to lure back advertising dollars.

What I'm waiting for, though, is for food companies to start brazenly exploiting another effect of the recession: a rise in snacking. According to a recent survey, stress over the economy is causing people to eat more junk food between meals. Comfort foods, take note.