Like any other business, restaurants need to be focused on the bottom line, and sales is a big part of it. Restaurant sales can be tricky to grow in a volatile market; while advertising is an important part of the equation, it can’t be your only approach to growing sales. There are actually many strategies
The Essential Restaurant Equipment Checklist
One big key to keeping your kitchen running smoothly (and on budget) is to follow each equipment manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, keep track of their warranties, and know when, how, and by whom maintenance should be done. That’s a lot to keep track of. Details may vary depending on your equipment, but every restaurant should
How to Understand Your Restaurant’s Success with Only 10 Numbers
If you own or manage a restaurant, there’s a good chance that every so often you lay awake at night, wondering: What am I missing? It’s easy to add up your tickets at the end of service, but are you really getting the full picture of how your business is doing? Do you know… how
9 Essential Parts of a Winning Restaurant Business Plan
Writing a thorough restaurant business plan can be intimidating for many new and existing entrepreneurs, especially if you don’t come from a business background. But when it comes time to meet with investors, your restaurant business plan becomes absolutely critical. So, where do you begin? We break down the 9 essential sections to building a
What’s Your Restaurant Brand? How to Develop a Vision for Your Business
With so many big restaurant brands dominating today, it can feel overwhelming to be a smaller, independent restaurant. But it’s important to remember. Being an independent business isn’t a flaw. It’s a feature The secret is to hone your independent edge by carving out a unique niche for your own restaurant brand, by: Defining your
Ditch the Cash? The State of Restaurant Credit Card Payment
Consumer behavior and merchant expectations regarding restaurant credit card payment are changing. Can you feel it? From Argo Tea to Epic Burger, the trend of businesses going cashless and only accepting credit card payment is still small, but growing in the wake of a customer base that increasingly eschews cash for cards. In a poll
Dine Local: Small Business Saturday for Restaurants
When people think about post-Thanksgiving shopping and spending, usually the hectic Black Friday comes to mind. But it’s not the only shopping day of the holiday season! in fact, another shopping day has slowly grown in popularity throughout the U.S.: Small Business Saturday. Set the day after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to
That’s Amore: American Pizza Styles and Why We Love Them All
There are few foods that have been Americanized quite like pizza. While it has origins in Naples, Italy, the modern American pizza took off thanks to Italian immigrants coming to the new world and making adjustments to the old-world recipes. But now not only does America have its own take on pizza, it has lots
Rewards Network Acquired by TowerBrook Capital Partners
Rewards Network, a provider of marketing, loyalty services, dining rewards programs and financing to the restaurant industry, and TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., the New York and London-based investment management firm, announced today that TowerBrook has acquired Rewards Network, in its entirety, from Equity Group Investments (“EGI”). The transaction is complete and financial terms were not
6 Ways to Improve Customer Service in Your Restaurant
Think about the best place you’ve ever eaten a meal. Now think about what made that experience truly great. That’s right: it’s not all about the food. Sure, amazing food should always be a top priority. But dining at a really good restaurant is also like a mini-holiday — and it’s the sum of a
