If you do it right, guest prefer to order themselves. This has been proven by the advent of interactive electronic ordering kiosks, which have quickly become commonplace in European and Asian quick service restaurants. Americans are finally catching up to their European counterparts when it comes to self-service kiosks. Early …
Read More »POS Systems: Love Them, Learn Them, and Please Don’t Ignore Them
I didn’t learn to program my first Point of Sale (POS) system until I actually become a head Chef at a restaurant and the POS system impacted my food cost. I taught myself how to use it, as there was no operating manual and none of the waitstaff or the …
Read More »Microbrew Rebels: Oskar Blues Does Craft Beer Their Way
When Oskar Blues opened its doors in 1997 in the tiny burg of Lyons, CO, just north of Boulder, it was just a place to get some great Southern style food and listen to the best offerings from the local music scene. That all began to change when Oskar founder …
Read More »What Kind Of Website Is Hurting Restaurants The MOST??
SURVEY IS OVER. 5 years ago Facebook was in its infancy. Twitter was a year away from conception. Yelp was no more than the apple in the eye of a creative Silicone Valley entrepreneur. And Groupon was still 3 years away from development! In 5 short years the restaurant marketing …
Read More »Beg, Borrow, Or Blow Your Food Cost
In a restaurant, especially a newly started or taken over one, it is highly recommended you get to know the other area food facilities and develop good relationships with them. While this may seem quaint, sort of like moving into a new neighborhood and making nice with the neighbors, there …
Read More »The Holidays Are Coming: Is Your Restaurant Going To Give Back?
As the holidays approach, giving back to the community is something that should be important to any business, and not just as a shameless marketing ploy. Being authentic about your business’ involvement in charity is something that only time and commitment can communicate. Having a genuine passion for charity work …
Read More »Is ZapHour A Groupon Killer?
Ever since Google tried to buy Groupon for a reported $1 billion last year the buzz has been incessant around the group discount site. Now, with rumors flying about a public offering later this year and more big tech companies trying to get into the Internet coupon game, it seems …
Read More »The Time To Upgrade Restaurant Equipment Has Come
There’s always some good reasons for upgrading your kitchen’s restaurant equipment: better energy efficiency, better performance, increased ease-of-use, increased output, etc. There’s always an equally pressing reason why you try to get one more year out of that same equipment: money doesn’t grow on trees, and there’s plenty of other …
Read More »Brazilian Chef Recognized On The International Stage
Chef Alex Atala, son of Lebanese immigrants and raised in Brazil, is himself a blending of cultures separated by huge geographical distances and divergent attitudes. Perhaps this is why he is perfectly suited to bring the flavors of Brazil to global prominence. Chef Atala achieved recognition by creating a hybrid …
Read More »Restaurants Use Nutrition Info To Add Value For Customers
In a world of discounts, something besides price has to get your customers in the door. It’s the new reality facing the food service industry these days, and many restaurants have already started devising ways to go the extra mile for customers. Soon enough restaurants will be required to post …
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