Gen Z is more empowered than previous generations to choose where and what to eat, and won’t prioritize health for another five or more years.
10 Foodservice Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2020
January 6, 2020Consumer tastes, automation and population trends will all have an impact on our sector. Those brands that will survive and thrive have one eye on the balance sheet and the other on the future. The year’s coming trends revolve around talent, technology and tastes. See below.
Modern Menu Strategy, in One Word: Focus
December 5, 2019To maximize profitability in a highly competitive marketplace patronized by highly diverse customers, operators should regularly evaluate their menus, item by item, to ensure every offering is still worthy of its place on the menu…
Episode 56 – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, with Chef Tim
November 26, 2019In this episode Chef Tim shares one of the very first lessons he learned in foodservice. A story about teamwork from the unteachable point of view of a dish-pit newbie.
Holiday Staffing Tips for Restaurant Operators
November 12, 2019For many restaurants, the next few weeks will likely be one of the busiest times of the year. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve operators can rake in the revenue. But with more business, and more people coming through the door, the biggest challenge is always staffing…
National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Industry 2030 Report
November 12, 2019The National Restaurant Association released its 10-year outlook report on the projected state of the restaurant industry in 2030. The report examines the key indicators shaping the future of the industry, identifies the most and least likely developments over the upcoming decade, and considers possible disrupters outside the industry that could transform it.
How to Adapt to Today’s Healthy Dining Trends
October 29, 2019Evaluate and adjust your offerings and messaging to meet consumers’ evolving “healthy” criteria to remain relevant and capture their business.
Restaurant Server Training Tips, Techniques, and Best Practices
October 3, 2019By properly training new employees, you can reduce turnover and increase employee satisfaction, and it will help your restaurant exceed your guests’ expectations.
Training is Broken in the Restaurant Industry: Here’s How to Fix It
October 3, 2019Here are three key mistakes restaurant brands are making in onboarding, upskilling and preparing their labor force for work, and a few ideas on how to fix it.
Episode 55 – Everyone Leaves Happy, Restaurateur Joshua Kopel
September 16, 2019Hospitality has always been where his heart is, but it hasn’t always been easy or fun. In this episode Joshua shares his thoughts on growth, overcoming challenges, management and leadership, sustainability and the importance of culture in foodservice.
The Life Span of Commercial Kitchen Equipment
September 10, 2019You might not give much thought to your oven or dishwasher on a daily basis, but your kitchen appliances are what enable you to serve your hungry customers. Knowing the life span of commercial kitchen equipment helps you keep your operation running smoothly. It allows you to plan — and budget — for future maintenance, repairs and, eventually, new equipment. Here’s a look at what every foodservice operator should know about their kitchen equipment and when it ought to be replaced.
How Menu Design Can Increase Sales and Customer Loyalty
July 3, 2019Think of the menu as a visual representation of your brand. It introduces guests to your offerings and should reflect the overall philosophy and values of your establishment. The psychology of menu design should not be underestimated—in fact, a well-designed menu can consistently increase profits by as much as $1,000 per month, per million dollars in annual revenue…
8 Scheduling Strategies to Increase Profitability
May 6, 2019Creating a schedule is about more than just covering shifts. Good scheduling processes can positively affect your customers, employees and revenue. While having adequate staff on hand to accommodate your guests is your top priority, keeping your staff happy is a close second. You can find a balance between the two in which everyone wins.
5 Ways to Enhance Your Customer’s Takeout Dining Experience
April 5, 2019A growing number of today’s restaurant patrons would rather order delivery or takeout than dine in. In fact, the booming market for food that leaves an operator’s walls will surpass $300 billion in sales by 2023. Nevertheless, on-demand foodservice has its challenges…
The 4 Best Ways for Restaurants to Draw in Traffic
March 18, 2019Increasing competition and customer expectations for consistent, quality service at restaurants makes getting people in the door more difficult than ever in today’s market. Competition created by new establishments and constant scrutiny via social media have raised the bar for service standards. Modern restaurateurs must react faster in order to succeed…
9 Tips to Prepare for a Health Inspection
February 6, 2019The proper strategy for a successful health inspection is to be ready at all times. To stay ahead of the game, managers can conduct weekly, in-house inspections. Here are nine tips to help your team prepare…
Foodservice Trends to Watch in 2019
January 2, 2019It seems that every shift to the restaurant landscape brings with it a list of questions: What is the next hot flavor trend to watch? Which segment truly owns convenience? What is today’s definition of health? What type of technology is up and coming next?
Communicate with Your Customers Anywhere, Anytime
December 27, 2018More and more people around the world are connecting through instant messaging—more than 1 billion people use Facebook Messenger each month. It’s a convenient way to let customers know you’re listening and create personal connections with them, and it’s automatically integrated with every Facebook Page.
Chef’s Pantry: Nitrile Gloves
December 14, 2018Nitrile is the form fitting food handlers glove that will make you feel like the culinary superhero you are. Nitrile gloves are made out of a synthetic rubber, and are an ideal alternative when latex allergies are a concern…
8 Easy Ways to Prevent the Spread of Flu in the Workplace
November 25, 2018Winter is rapidly approaching, and that means flu season is upon us. Usually, flu season is considered as being October through about February, which means that we’re cruising right into the flu danger zone. The flu, aside from just being downright unpleasant and exhausting for the person who’s sick, is also problematic for the workplace…
Introduction to “Waste not, want not.”
November 21, 2018The reduction of food-waste is a trend that has extended beyond homes and into foodservice, driven by the same consumers calling for local, organic, farm-to-table and eco-friendly offerings. The common thread is a desire for sustainability. By focusing on your food use, specifically what you may not be using, we can improve the profitability and the sustainability of your menu.
Episode 52 – Dennis Invests in Foodservice & Tina Talks Dough
November 12, 2018Our team has been working downright diligently over the past few months to bring the Dennis Difference to more customers, in more places. Part of those pursuits includes the addition of new employees; team members who will help support our mission and our customer’s businesses. We’ll share a few updates on our recent efforts in this episode. Also in this episode, Tina Parker of The Dough Co. joins us to talk pizza dough, and about a big change they’ve made!
Restaurant Marketing Ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas
November 6, 2018Christmas marketing isn’t limited to just the immediate holiday but includes your winter menu changes, catering services, increased promotions of cookies, cakes, pies, pastries and side dishes for holiday meals, holiday party bookings and gift card sales. You have a great opportunity to attract new customers, show your chef’s skills in preparing holiday favorites and exotic foods from other countries and cultures, and host special tasting events that attract convivial crowds.
5 Free Ways to Get Customers Talking about Your Brand
October 24, 2018Most fast-casual operators believe that competency creates conversation. That being “good” equals word of mouth. But it often does not, because almost every competitor is at least good. If you want customers to tell others about your restaurants — and you do — you must be different in addition to being excellent.
10 Tips for Managing Seasonal Menus
October 17, 2018Seasonal ingredients and menu items have become more popular along with the local food movement, which goes right to the heart of the kind of sustainability commitment that today’s customers are looking for.