June 2010 Blog Posts (68)

Non-Operator Do you market your business in the restrooms?

I know, odd question but...

During a recent visit to a local restaurant, I went into the restroom to wash my hands, as I was drying off my hands, I noticed that on the mirror in the restroom was flier with the weekly specials listed. I had to laugh. All I could think of is, is this how this restaurant markets their business? I find that type of marketing a bit tacky.

If I could talk to the owner, I would have asked him how effective his marketing is. I also would like to know… Continue

Added by Janet Majoulet-Foust on June 13, 2010 at 2:55pm — 7 Comments

Five tips for smart marketing as the restaurant business rebounds

Now that there are signs of life in the restaurant business, let's remember the last two years where many a restaurants closed their doors. For the survivors, let's remember the tough times and build on what we learned. Here are some reminders:…

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Added by Tony Treadway on June 12, 2010 at 11:16am — 3 Comments

Non-Operator If I Owned a Health Club…

I would hire front desk people who are naturally motivated to smile and provide a pleasant greeting for every member every time they walk in the club.
I would train my front desk team to read the screen…

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Added by Bill Campion on June 12, 2010 at 6:07am — 5 Comments

Non-Operator Organic Waste Materials Create Beneficial Opportunities

Our “Eat the View” organic garden has expanded more than triple in size from last year and there are plans to continue the expansion with every season. With efforts to bridge the gap to a more sustainable future and

with the growing patches of vegetables come the need for more organic materials such as mulch, soil, and nutrients. The expansion of the “homesteading” on our near half acre of land has necessitated the development of a new composting… Continue

Added by Cajun Chef Ryan on June 11, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

If it involves food...you can count on a crisis

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Added by Tony Treadway on June 11, 2010 at 2:30am — No Comments

Non-Operator FOHcus: Shoutreach

I attended massive church revivals as a young boy in the Bible-belt of Indiana. That was nearly 20 years and several lives ago. I will never forget the evangelists who prowled across the stage and pounded the pulpit, their mouths foaming in the name of Jesus. Their passion and force of persuasion was so intense, so practiced, grown men in the seats around me could be reduced to puddles in mere minutes. A revival preacher had only a…

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Added by FohBoh on June 11, 2010 at 12:30am — No Comments

Non-Operator Does business slow down for you in the summer?

While I was in Santa Barbara this week, I made a comment on how it seems to be harder to attract clients in the summer. I was quickly reminded that is NOT the case. I realized quickly that is my own mindset issue and really not a true…

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Added by Janet Majoulet-Foust on June 10, 2010 at 2:59pm — No Comments

Social media factoid (social media and smartphones)

35% of respondents to a recent Technomic survey say that they access social media sites on a mobile phone or smartphone at least once a day. (Source: Technomic's Leveraging Social Media & Mobile Technologies 2010 study)

Added by Erik Thoresen on June 10, 2010 at 2:24pm — No Comments

GTBagel Supports the Military

All military always receive 50% off @GTBagel. Georgetown Bagelry supports our military and the people who serve our country. Technically, that should be each of us! One way we can honor the men and women who are willing to give their lives so that we can hopefully raise global consciousness and live freely, is by giving them 50% off their purchases. Badu, our manager, who is from Gambia appreciates U.S. Citizenship so much that he wanted to go into the service but was denied…

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Added by Mary Beall Adler on June 10, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Non-Operator Why Be A Franchisee? Or Why Not?

Last time we asked why some companies choose to franchise, while others do not. This time I’ll reverse the question and ask why some operators choose to be franchisees, while others prefer to follow their own vision.…

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Added by Rod Guinn on June 10, 2010 at 3:30am — No Comments

Serving the Community & Enjoying Ourselves

There is an unbelievable amount of activity in the bagel shop recently. We’ve had several break downs of equipment so I haven’t made the time to sit and write. I’ve been out and about big time, from the roof to inside the oven. No joke. I wish I took a picture from the roof. I do not want to go back up:)

Steve, from…

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Added by Mary Beall Adler on June 9, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

Non-Operator Shared Kitchens Coming to Atlanta Metro Area

Atlanta, GA, June 09, 2010: Budding kitchen entrepreneurs get ready! Shared Kitchens was designed for

those who want to enter the food service

business, but find the costs prohibitive!

Caterers, Bakers, Product Developers and even Grandma's Cupcakes can now produce their products in accordance to local health regulations in this "incubator kitchen" concept that…

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Added by Doug Marranci on June 9, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

Operator - Chef The Difference Between an Essential Oil & Infused Oil

Chefs love to make flavorful herb oils to season their food with. I

have discovered essential oils that I have incorporated in my kitchen.

There is a huge difference in in the process and strength of these

oils.

An infused oil is usually an herb that is added to oil to draw the flavor into the oil.

An essential oil is the oil that comes from the plant itself. The oil that is locked in the plant is very strong. This oil is used very sparingly.… Continue

Added by Marcus Guiliano on June 8, 2010 at 10:00pm — 1 Comment

How did you get so damn smart?

One of those leadership road hazards that most of us hit head-on at times is thinking that we have it all figured out and know all the answers. We spring to conclusions, discount ideas, and generally don’t listen either intentionally or not. Now, I don’t know about you but I can’t remember the last time I actually had an original thought. Don’t take that last remark as bad as I feel after typing it. What I mean is, think about it! Where do you get the ideas you implement every day? Here are the… Continue

Added by Andy Swingley on June 8, 2010 at 4:10am — 1 Comment

Social Media Monitoring Cocktail!

I've written before about the importance of listening to your customers as you build relationships with them through Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks. If you aren't yet engaged through those mediums, take the first step to see where you are being talked about and what people are saying.

Larger brands usually monitor what's been said about them daily, even…

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Added by Josh Hersh on June 7, 2010 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Non-Operator Who owns your kitchen's recipes? Has your chef signed an employment contract?

A popular topic lately in a couple different restaurant discussion forums I participate in is the question of who owns the recipes your restaurant uses?

Let's look at a couple possible scenarios that could affect your restaurant.

Your executive chef or kitchen manager quits. Maybe one or two members of the kitchen staff leave with her/him. Your chef keeps extensive recipes written down in a book they've had since long before they…

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Added by Brandon O'Dell on June 7, 2010 at 2:10pm — No Comments

Making Facebook make a difference for a restaurant

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Added by Tony Treadway on June 7, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Share Your Content... It's the Social Thing To Do

A big part of social networking is finding great information to share with others. You see something that you know your colleagues would appreciate, and you send it to them via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The simple act of sharing content secures your social utility and relevance to everyone in your network. Plus, people love to be turned on to cool stuff.

So, follow the simple instructions in the video below:…

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Added by Michael Biesemeyer on June 7, 2010 at 11:18am — No Comments

DAWG Talk: Before You Seek a New Job, Play a Game of Chess

The older I get, the more I appreciate the game of chess. To be successful, you have to review and assess your current status, and determine the best decision based upon the information you have, and by trying to predict what your opponent will do. It’s certainly a calculated game requiring strong strategy and execution to succeed.

It’s not a game that everyone understands immediately. Surely, you can learn the game rather quickly; you can learn each piece, and how it… Continue

Added by David Rose on June 6, 2010 at 5:59pm — 4 Comments

Non-Operator FOHcus: ProFRESHional

What are you bringing to the table?

Do you bring attitude?

I'll be your server, but don't think I'm your servant. You may be on a date with your wife, the only two hours you spend alone together all week, but I'll be damned if I have to wait all night for you to finish that cheese plate.

Do you bring arrogance?

I'll explain the specials, but if you don't know what confit…

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Added by FohBoh on June 4, 2010 at 12:00am — No Comments