podcast

Episode 41 – BBQ Season & Google My Business

April 23, 2018

In this episode there’s info about our inventory additions for the week, Google advice to grow your business, and we’ve got BBQ on the brain! Joining us for our discussion on how you can use Google to help grow traffic to your restaurant we’ve got a special guest, foodservice operator and social media guru, Katrina Petersen. National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day was April 20th. For this week’s foodie fact, we’re asking – When was Pineapple Upside-Down cake first popularized in American culture? The answer at the end of the podcast…

Episode 40 – Tips for Outdoor Dining Spaces

April 6, 2018

Get your outdoor dining space ready for hungry patrons looking to take advantage of al fresco dining opportunities. In this week’s episode we’ve got tips to help keep your outdoor dining space pest free, an update on our 2018 food show, this week’s new products and foodie headlines.

Episode 39 – A Simple Equation to Maximize Success

March 24, 2018

In this week’s episode we’re talking about the “who, what, why and how” important to success. Plus, we’ve got this week’s new products and there’s lobster news in the literary world. What is the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy? Bonus points for how many of them are sold during the Easter season. The answer in this week’s episode!

Episode 36 – New Products, C-Store News & Wisdom from a Toilet Paper Salesman

December 2, 2017

In this week’s episode we’ve 13 new products, a report about c-store predictions for the future and sound advice from a toilet paper salesman. We’ve also got a decades old international Foodie Fact to stump you with, and our new Dessert of the month page is mentioned. Featuring seasonally inspired items in limited quantities.

Episode 35 – Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2017

This week we’re going unscripted with a reminder about new products, our foodie fact for the week and new developments in “local” social media exposure from Facebook. And a special guest with extensive small business, foodservice experience, joins the podcast to talk about tactics for driving sales during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

Episode 34 – Brainy Blueberries, Independent Coffee & 2018 Restaurant Trends

November 3, 2017

Restaurant Business Online just published an article that discusses what restaurants can expect to see as influences in 2018. We’re going to discuss some of the insights they’ve shared, and we’ve provided a link to the full article. We’re also taking a look at a couple items making headlines recently, wild Maine blueberries and everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage – coffee! We’ve got those topics and a slew of recent inventory additions to share with you in this week’s podcast!

Episode 33 – Inside the Mind of the Independent Restaurant Operator

October 13, 2017

This weeks the IFDA released an in-depth 194 page report, prepared by industry research partner Technomic, about independent restaurant operators. It details market trends, challenges, economic outlooks, changing formats and a whole lot more. We’re sharing just a few of the many insights from it in this episode. We’ve also got this week’s new products, including a new fresh soup from Blount Fine Foods, which you won’t want to miss!

Episode 32 – C-Store Foodservice, Food News and New Products!

October 5, 2017

When it comes to food from “c-stores” – even with convenience foodservice sales exceeding $34 billion dollars a year – negative consumer perceptions still exist around the category. Recent research has shown that there is plenty of room for continued innovation when it comes to foodservice in c-stores, and that putting quality first in certain areas can have a positive impact on food sales.

Episode 31 – Fall Kitchen Prep and a Wrap Rap

September 29, 2017

Foodservice operators take tremendous pride in their kitchens and equipment. Now that we’re through the hectic pace of the summer season now is a good time to clean equipment and ensure everything is in proper working order. And, if you’re looking for some fall-food inspiration we’ve assembled a list on our website featuring some of our favorite fall items. There’s even a section dedicated to all things pumpkin, with over a dozen different pumpkin related products.

Episode 29 – Comfort Food with a Signature Twist & The Soups On!

September 8, 2017

The foliage will soon start to change, and with that will come consumer cravings for comfort food. Creating signature dishes inspired by comfort food has been gaining momentum in recent years, and with autumn on the horizon it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your unique comfort-inspired cuisine. On that same note, if you’re looking to add warmth and rich flavor to your menu, soups are a great way to do it. We’re ladling up the latest on our soup lineup.

Episode 28 – The Story of Deb the Innovator

September 1, 2017

In this inspirational episode of Dennis Knows Food, we’re sharing the story of a small town foodservice innovator who kept her business running, growing and adapting through all of the changes and challenges that were thrown at it. You won’t want to miss this one – so, connect your bluetooth devices, plug in your headphones and turn up the volume – it’s story time!

Episode 27 – Tips for Marketing Campaigns, Peanut Allergies & AI Cookies

August 25, 2017

In Episode 27 of Dennis Knows Food we’re discussing tips for success in your next marketing campaign. Australian researchers have made a potential breakthrough in the fight against deadly peanut allergies. And Google now has a computer capable of making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. These topics and more in this week’s podcast!

Episode 26 – Five Ways to Boost Fall Sales, Calamari, Tarator Sauce and New Products

August 17, 2017

In episode 26 of our podcast we’ll be discussing five ways to boost fall sales. Autumn is a favorite time of year for many folks, and it’s an ideal time to adjust your menu to capture new sales opportunities. We’re also going to talk calamari, you’ll find out where the name came from, how it’s eaten around the world and learn about a sauce that pairs perfectly with it. The sauce we’re talking about is “tarator,” not to be confused with tartar sauce. And on a humorous note we’ve got a short punny story to share with you.

Episode 25 – Guests & Their Cell Phones, Menu Psychology and New Products

August 4, 2017

In this week’s podcast we’re picking up the phone – well, your customers are anyway. We’ll touch on the growing impact of smart phones on foodservice. We’re also taking a closer look at the psychology behind good menu design. There’s actual science behind getting customers to order and spend more

Episode 24 – Consumer Impact on Menu Development, Flat Iron Steaks and New Products

July 28, 2017

In this weeks podcast we’re focusing on growing your takeout business. I met an individual earlier in the week who shared with me some tips he’d written for restaurants looking to “ramp up” their takeout business, those tips are at the heart of this week’s episode. Hungry? How about digging into the world’s largest Creme Brûlée? This week’s foodie fact – What was the estimated calorie count for the world’s largest Creme Brûlée?

Episode 23 – New Products, Creme Brûlée and Tactics for Takeout

July 21, 2017

In this weeks podcast we’re focusing on growing your takeout business. I met an individual earlier in the week who shared with me some tips he’d written for restaurants looking to “ramp up” their takeout business, those tips are at the heart of this week’s episode. Hungry? How about digging into the world’s largest Creme Brûlée? This week’s foodie fact – What was the estimated calorie count for the world’s largest Creme Brûlée?

Episode 22 – National French Fry Day, Coffee Health Benefits, Cold Brew Profits, and New Products!

July 13, 2017

In this weeks episode we’re talking coffee, with recent news on the health benefits of coffee giving frequent consumers reason to celebrate. Plus, there’s hot news for cold brew, the math is in and there’s opportunity and profit with this on-trend coffee item. We’ve also got fries, and every imaginable type of potato product! The team at Dennis is ready to find just the right one to your business needs! So, grab your ketchup and dive into episode 22 of Dennis Knows Food.

Episode 21 – New Products, A Shout-Out for Cheese Makers, Engaging Millennial Diners, and the How America BBQs Contest

July 6, 2017

In this weeks episode we’ve got three new products to share. We’re giving a shout out to the cheese makers at Great Lakes Cheese Company. We share insights on how to engage with Millennial diners. Plus, there’s a BBQ contest going on right now that could take you and your smoked-turkey recipe to Austin, Texas!

Episode 20 – Seasonal Business Tips and Fresh Lobster Meat with Two Special Guests

June 29, 2017

In this unique episode of Dennis Knows Food we’re heading to the coast of Maine to talk business strategies and fresh lobster meat with a couple of special guests – a Dennis Account Executive and a seasonal businesses operator with saltwater in his veins!

Episode 19 – New Products, Glaze can Amaze, Tomato Butter, Claim your Business, and Beefy Opportunities!

June 22, 2017

In this week’s episode we revisit the conversation on dressing-up your dishes for extra appeal. Riding that good-flavors vibe we’ve got a recipe for Tomato Butter to share with you. We cover an important business-capturing strategy that you should be doing online. And we’ve got some fantastic beef purchasing opportunities coming that you’re definitely going to want to take advantage of while you can.

Episode 18 – 12 New Products, New England Produce News, Veggie Perceptions, There’s Coffee in the Cocktails, and More!

June 15, 2017

In this weeks episode of Dennis Knows Food we focus some of the spotlight on New England, with 3 of our 12 latest inventory additions coming from right here in Maine. We’re also putting some emphasis on produce, with Chris Webster, one of our Dennis Account Executives joining us for a discussion on “veggie perceptions.” Heating up alcohol sales with cold brew coffee and more!