2013 is done! 2014 is here…. Now what will you do? At the beginning of every year it’s always good to take a step back and see what worked and what did not work over the past year in your restaurant. Here are four quick easy categories to help you figure out your restaurant business […]
Recently, several casual dining restaurant chains have announced that they are “exploring options” or slowing their growth pattern for additional stores. The reasons they site are declining customer restaurant traffic and the resulting impact on quarterly profits. What’s going on with this trend and how does the restaurant owner react so that he does not […]
As you move forward into 2014, there are many ways to improve the profitability of your restaurant. One of them is with your menu. It is your highway to profitability.Every one of your customers and potential customers looks at it. If you keep that thought in mind, you will understand why you need to stay […]
I know, I know…. You are just preparing for the busy holiday season and planning for 2014 is the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately we all know that time goes so fast and January of 2014 will be here in no time. Do you want to come out of the gate fast, or start […]
Veterans Day has come and gone for 2013. Many restaurants have taken that day to honor our veterans for their service to our country. That is great way to show your appreciation for their service to us as a nation. I happened to visit a local restaurant on Veterans Day that had been saying their […]
Think about it…. How many times a week does somebody knock on your door and ask for donations from your restaurant? One…Three….Ten times a week? Restaurant owners I have spoken to about this topic seemed annoyed with all of these people asking for donations. Yes, it can be a hassle, yes it can cost you […]
I find it truly amazing how large the portion sizes are at most restaurants! For some restaurant owners this may be a strategy to help your restaurant get know. Large portions…. cheap prices. But to those restaurants have they ever considered the impact on the profitability of the restaurant? This past week, my wife and […]
Statistics say that over 50% of diners participate in a least one loyalty program? Is your restaurant playing in the game? Restaurant marketing is evolving very fast with the aid of technology gains. Yet some restaurants are still using old fashioned punch cards for their customers. While punch cards can achieve some of the same […]
Last night I went out for dinner to a local restaurant and had my meal on their outdoor deck. It was a great night, about 70 degrees, no wind and just a great night to sit out and enjoy a meal. During the course of the night, the owner “Dutch” stopped by our table to […]
With the end of the month of June approaching, it’s time for restaurants to evaluate six months of business performance and implement strategies to reach year-end goals for 2013. January through June has been a challenging time in the restaurant industry. The first quarter was impacted by payroll tax increases and rising gasoline prices that […]
Last week my travels took me to Nashville Tennessee to work with one of my clients. It was a good trip but one thing struck me clearly, the power of NCAA Basketball on the local economy. The NRA reports that business in the restaurant industry was off dramatically during January and February. My clients have expressed […]
An interesting week it has been! Several of my conversations this week centered on whether restaurant owners trust their food distributor. Surprisingly, each distributor I spoke with said….. No they don’t and with good reason. Do food distributors create this sense of mistrust? Broken promises, missed deliveries, and questionable billing issues are some of the […]
February has ended and the consumer is still feeling the effects of the increase in the payroll tax and rising gasoline prices. the Commerce Department has reported that personal income plunged 3.6 percent in January, the biggest drop since January 1993. That’s a tough nut for any restaurant to handle. Now the government has signed into effect “Sequestration”. […]
When you look at everything that is going on in the restaurant business, it is easy to understand why restaurant owners are overwhelmed. Competitive challenges, human resource issues, technology changes and rising food cost are just some of the many issues that are faced every day. The list keeps growing and the ability to keep […]
With a projected rise of 3.5 percent in food commodity costs in 2013, an increase of ten percent from only three years ago, restaurant owners are at a crossroads of adjusting for market changes while still meeting consumer preferences. To stay ahead of the game, restaurant owners need to hone in on data from their […]