Menu Design Articles

Are You Spending Too Much on Restaurant Marketing?

Over the past few weeks I have visited with many restaurant owners to discuss what their restaurant marketing programs are and the results they are getting. Some are doing great while others need help in building the business with effective marketing programs. Throughout my conversations, it became apparent that many restaurants are overspending on programs. […]

Does Your Website Make Your Restaurant Money?

When was the last time your restaurant’s website made you money? The majority of restaurant websites that I take a look at are not really helping restaurant owners increase revenue. Yes, a website is designed to create awareness and promote a professional image, but it can also drive new traffic and create new revenue streams for […]

Does your restaurant have a strategy to build customer traffic?

Where has the customer traffic gone? In recent meetings with clients, the focus has really shifted on how do we build customer traffic counts.  The NRA data confirms that customer traffic counts have been declining steadily for several years. Restaurant sales have shown minor increases largely due to price increases. The question still remains the […]

Finding The Time To Do Everything In Your Restaurant

Every week I speak with restaurant owners in many parts of the country. In each conversation, they tell me of their concerns in running their restaurant business. In each of these conversations they all expressed many of the same concerns and they revolve around these five issues: Growing sales and reducing cost. Rising food cost […]

Would 4% Points Make a Difference To Your Restaurants Bottom Line?

With food costs rising every week are your restaurants profits taking a hit? Almost every day there is something in the news about the price of something going up. Beef, pork, dairy, and coffee are all going up. As a restaurant owner, what is your strategy to handling these increases? Some chains will be raising […]

Are Your Restaurant Marketing Programs an Expense or Revenue Generator?

How do restaurant operators look at the cost of marketing? The NRA’s guidelines for restaurant marketing says that restaurants should allocate anywhere between two and four percent on restaurant marketing.  Do restaurant owners follow this model when budgeting for their business?  Like many families, the budget sometimes goes out the window when juggling expenses.  The […]

Can Yelp Restaurant Reviews Be Accurate?

Is reputation management part of your restaurant marketing strategy? Recently, I was on an extensive road trip for the better part of the past month. Many nights in hotels and most of my meals in restaurants. Ah the glamour of business travel! One thing I have seen in most markets that I visit is that […]

Top 5 Concerns for Your Restaurant Business Plan in 2014

As we go into a new year, restaurant owners should be developing their restaurant business plan for operational efficiency and marketing strategies to increase sales. A recent study of restaurant owners in Columbus Ohio cited the top five concerns to be dealt with in 2014. Outlined below are their thoughts. How will I increase sales and […]

5 Steps to Consider In Your Restaurant Business Plan For 2014

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 […]

Restaurant Marketing Plans 2014 –Your Menu

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 […]

Restaurant Marketing Plans for 2014.

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 […]

Are Your Restaurant Profits Walking Out The Door?

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 […]

CORE Restaurant Marketing Outlines Five Strategies For Mid-Year Restaurant Business Reviews.

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 […]

Sequestration and Restaurant Marketing

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”. […]

Restaurant Marketing Coach; Can They Bring Value To My Business?

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 […]