All Blog Posts Tagged 'economy' (52)

By Aprons & Smocks

One good indicator that the economy has improved is that consumers are not as concerned with discounts when choosing their restaurant meals. According to research by the NPD Group, people aren’t putting value menus over every other consideration when it comes to dining out now. In fact, for the 12 months ending in August of 2012, non-deal restaurant traffic actually increased 1 percent. For the…

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…

As I’ve probably mentioned lately, I’ve recently worked with several clients on debt-raise projects.  Based on that experience, as well as others over the years, I’ve begun to identify a malaise among credit providers which I’ll refer to as Lake Wobegon Syndrome.

By now,…

There are only three ways to increase food & beverage sales.

The economy and unfavorable weather has robbed resort, restaurant, and F&B executives of the simplest method to improve sales. Luckily, two remaining methods still offer opportunity, yet one single F&B Core-Competency Focused Strategy is best for Profit Increases.

1. Sell F&B to more people. Gone!

Today this option is…

Reported by foodem.com, the online wholesale food marketplace-

This is one of the most innovative times of our lives. Every time you turn around, there is a new convenience to simplify a task in our lives. Today, many businesses, as well as individuals, are…

I could have called it Part 2, but I just saw Harry Potter, and thought a more grandiose title was in order.  

Back in March, I wrote a column entitled “Who Will Buy Your Burritos?”, which was -- in part -- focused on a longstanding concern of mine, that the US economy will continue to lag,…

First -- further details on the economy and its near future:

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the dangers the weak employment figures posed for long-term, healthy improvement to our restaurant industry.  That still remains a primary concern of mine, and of a…

Catching up on topics from past blogs and recent news ...

UCLA Restaurant Conference: I mentioned some weeks ago that I had served on the planning committee for this conference,…

There’s good news and bad news regarding the prospects for an economic recovery. This should not be a surprise, especially since the news has to do with the findings of economists, perhaps the only subspecies of humans needing a third hand to settle arguments.  (You know the old joke: arguments which often include the phrases 'on the one hand...' and 'On the other hand.....’).…

Every so often, I listen to the podcasts produced by NPR’s Planet Money team, focusing on economic and financial topics in the US and around the world.  On their podcast #225, dated 11/2/2010, their guest was Mark Zandi, Chief Economist of Moody’s Analytics and a frequent TV and radio commentator on things economic.…

Two years ago, the Restaurant Finance Conference fell (choice verb?) just after the capital market cataclysm of September 2008. As I’ve noted before, the mood was so unsettled that man suggested Zombie costumes be issued. Last year, their was still considerable uncertainty -- and accompanying gallows humor -- but as one reader noted at the time, “we’re still here”; there was at least a general…