Written on February 22, 2014
by Joe Welsh
Understanding the lifetime value of your customer is important part of restaurant marketing. What is a customer worth to you? 2014 is off to a crazy start. A recent article on Fox Business News cited that the winter weather has impacted small business by as much as 13% in the first two months of the […]
Written on February 18, 2014
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on January 8, 2014
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on December 30, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on November 23, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on November 13, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on October 25, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on September 28, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on September 25, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on June 22, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on March 20, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on March 9, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on February 9, 2013
by Joe Welsh
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 […]
Written on October 20, 2012
by Joe Welsh
It’s mid-October and the leaves are falling. Some parts of the country have already seen the first snowfall. You know what this means, your restaurant is entering into the busy season with the upcoming holidays. Great News… maybe. Are you prepared to do everything that needs to be done? This is the time of year […]
Written on October 13, 2012
by Joe Welsh
Why do customers keep coming back to your restaurant? What do they like about your restaurant? What do they not like about your restaurant? Three very basic questions that every restaurant owner needs to know the answers to. This is the essence of the Guest Experience. These questions answer the most basic parts about your restaurant […]