Nate DaPore's Page

Last week’s Jobs Report, issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, echoed news we’ve all grown accustomed to hearing — U.S. job growth is weak.

But is that the whole story?

If you take a moment to study the recent news, there is a silver lining — at least for the restaurant industry. In the month of August, 96,000 jobs were added on a net basis across the nation and more than 28,000 of those jobs were in the restaurant industry. In other words, more than…

I read an interesting article on Freaknomics recently. It was titled, “Obedience on the Job.” The writer relates a story where he questioned a bus driver on a policy change and the driver responds, “I just do what my boss tells me to do. I don’t question.”

If you’re like me, you have been in this situation before — and it can be aggravating.

Maybe you’ve called a customer…

Pop culture often mocks or exaggerates the behind-the-scenes frustrations faced by foodservice employees — and their reactions. From the 2005 film Waiting to MADTvs Bon Qui Qui,…

Are you being weighed down by the proverbial “ball and chain?” No, not that ball and chain. I’m talking about the processes that your restaurant just can’t operate without. Remember your great idea from 10 years ago? The one that changed the way your restaurant operated, or saved a ton of money … or even revamped your brand. Is it still the biggest thing to happen to your restaurant?

Being locked-in to certain business practices can stunt your creativity and growth. Every successful…