Josh Hersh's Blog (41)

The official announcement from Facebook is today, but there are tips floating around the interwebs.  Below are a rundown of some links to check out.

This is an opportunity for restaurants to really think about how you graphically represent your brand.  There's a large "cover" image that will go at the top of your page.  It's not…

One of the primary arguments for providing calorie information at restaurants is that it will help people make better choices.  As Americans continue to expand at the waist, we're seeing that while knowledge might be power, it's not enough to alter decisions.

A new study from…

As many restaurant owners have found, investing in an active Facebook page takes consistency, creativity, and time.

Creating a Facebook page and leaving it to sit dormant is like having customers sitting in your booths and no servers to take their order or fill up their glasses.  Customers get annoyed and your restaurant look like they don't care.

Running a contest on your restaurant's Facebook fan page is a great way to grow your…

I'm not a big Yelp-er. Neither are most of my friends.

When I got to find a new restaurant, the search function in Yelp allows for many ways to target, but it's still overwhelming.

If Yelp isn't your thing, Foursquare's new "Explore" function is a must.

The search function begins…

A show of hands if you are happy swimsuit season is just about over. You're not the only one!

As the restaurant daily deal sphere drones on, I can't help but compare them to a "get skinny fast" method that people use to drop a few pounds before hitting the beach. Sure, you can probably shed a pound or two by drinking a strange, green liquid and starving yourself for 72 hours. By the third day, you'll be running toward a bakery fast than Kirstie Alley can say "Jenny…

Much of the talk about transparency and food served at restaurants has to do with Congressional action, posting nutrition facts on menus, and the debate over what size of restaurant chain can actually comply without suffering a significant financial  hit.

I'm loving how this…

Apologies for coming late to this story. The winner of NBC's America's Next Great Restaurant, which initially opened locations in LA, New York, and Minneapolis, is now down to just one restaurant in the Mall of…

Keep it real simple. Do one thing and do it the best you can.

I guess I've known this about myself to some degree ever since I was really little. My personality often reflects it. My thought patterns are often consumed by it. The end result of my labor isn't flawless, but I have always seemed to chase after that same goal: perfection.

A month or so ago I picked up the…

We all get to that point where we just need a break from Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, our city -- we just need a break from the hustle and bustle of life. A few weeks ago I spent 5 amazing days in Miami, soaking up the sun and warmth that isn't all too common in cloudy, cold Chicago.

Vacations are meant to let you mind wander and sure enough I started pondering those "deep" questions that don't necessarily, on the surface, seem to jive with the idea of vacation: Who am I? What…

During the first four weeks of America's Next Great Restaurant, we've seen some of the…

Sunday was the second week of America's Next Great Restaurant. The NBC restaurant reality TV show will pick a winning fast-casual concept to open in three American cities this summer - in Los Angeles, New York, and Minneapolis.

The idea behind the show intrigued me more than…

Bobby Flay can be a tad arrogant now and then, but he's no Simon Cowell.

I'm admittedly giddy for the March 6th premiere of "American's Next Great Restaurant" on NBC. Americans have a mixed relationship with reality television. It seems that watching certain shows can instantly brand one with a "scarlet letter". You may soak up and revel in The Jersey Shore or Hoarders in the privacy of your…

I'll be the first to confess that when classically-trained marketers start using their "market-speak", my mind heads for the doldrums (or dulldrums). I've read and heard larger restaurants designing campaigns to promote a particular product, promotion, or event. The explanation is usually vague (as they probably don't want to give away any secrets). 

But remember, you don't need a high-dollar social media or PR firm to make your campaigns effective. Here are some…

If you're vacationing in a tropical paradise, there is a lot to see: sandy beaches, gorgeous vegetation, and the crystal clear ocean. But none compare to the real reason people love beaches: the phenomenal sunsets.

Shawna and Geoffrey Simpson, vacationing in Waikiki, missed that sunset when they found themselves having to stay within 250 feet of a restaurant in order for their buzzer to go off. Through this and a series of frustrating events, the couple came up with a way to…

I've had the privilege to work with bars to help manage and improve their social media efforts. There's no question Facebook and Twitter are both incredibly powerful because of their reach and ability to engage and get valuable feedback from customers. However, we also need to keep an eye out for technology that can improve the experience when visiting your establishment. 

TabbedOut is an app that allows customers to…

I was reading through some of my news-y blogs today and came across a post from The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan titled "Awful Restaurant Web Sites". He referenced a post by a Julian Sanchez, a D.C.-based writer that covers the interesection of privacy, technology, and politics.

His entire article is centered around the question:…

Photos: Cinnamon rolls (Ann Sather's), Red curry (Thai Linda Cafe), Veggie dog (Portillo's), Caprese salad (Fox & Obel), Curry chicken pizza (Ian's Pizza)

All of these are restaurants in Chicago, IL.…

If you thought the hottest race in Chicago is going to be the race for mayor, think again. Unless Rahm Emanuel gets into a fist fight with Carol Moseley Braun or has a Howard Dean-like eruption, my focus will be on the real battle -- our city's fight to be a haven for mobile food trucks.

Honestly, I didn't even think there would be opponents. Currently, Chicago allows trucks that serve already prepared food; they just can't cook it while on-the-go. Alderman Scott…