Asian Carp Have Only One Predator: Restaurants

Invasive species take over new habitats so quickly because they usually have no natural predators in their new home, allowing them to reproduce quickly and overwhelm native populations competing for the same food.  The latest foreign invader to make headlines in the U.S. is Asian Carp, a fast-moving, quick-breeding intruder that has taken over the Mississippi and Ohio watersheds with amazing speed. The carp was originally brought...

Want To Start An Independent Restaurant? Start With The Incubator

Every restaurateur has been through the baptism by fire known as Opening Night.  Those who have survived can testify to the nerve-racking experience of preparing menu items for the first time for a dining room full of people.  Many hopeful entrepreneurs have had their dreams realized or crushed on opening night, and anyone wanting to start a restaurant had better be prepared for the big night. The problem many new restaurant...

Text Message Ordering: Why Your Customers Already Love It

One of the biggest shifts in customer behavior over the past few years has been the preference for take-out food.  All the major national chains (Applebee’s, Chili’s, etc. etc.) have added drive-up service for their customers.  And I’ve written on this blog about taking your restaurant’s food out, whether it be catering,...

How To Take Restaurant Marketing Underground

Since last August, when I first posted about the blossoming underground fine dining scene in San Francisco, the phenomenon has grown exponentially and started spreading up and down the west coast.  From Vancouver to L.A., chefs are ditching the kitchens of established restaurants and setting off on their own, and using shrouds of...

The Public Smoking Ban Debate Continues

Los Angeles has taken the ongoing regulation of smoking in public places a step further and banned smoking in the outdoor patio areas of restaurants.  The city council voted unanimously in favor of the ban, despite repeated pleas by local restaurants that the ban would hurt business in an already down economy.  The ban will take effect one year from the time the mayor signs the ordinance.  The city plans to take that time to...

When Restaurants Close, Chefs Sell Their Advice

When a high-end restaurants closes (and we all know one that has closed recently), what is an experienced, knowledgeable head chef to do? If you are one of the chefs in this Nation’s Restaurant News article, the answer is: “Sell my wisdom to some casual eatery operators.” For the casual eateries, these arrangements offer huge return on investment while giving them bragging rights to a famous brain. Read the whole article...

If It Makes Sense For McDonald’s, It Probably Makes Sense For You

McDonald’s has been an increasingly lone bright spot in the dark world of food service during a recession.  Sales are up, new restaurant layouts appeal to a wide range of customers, and Starbucks has a serious competitor on their hands.  McDonald’s success can be attributed to a lot of things, including their bargain basement pricing, but one factor stands out above all others: McDonald’s ability to rebrand...

Technology Trade-Off: Cutting Bar Inventory Losses 20%

We’ve all been there.  The bartender is super busy and splashes some alcohol in your glass before topping it off with whatever mixer goes with your drink – and you end up with a strong one or a weak one.  And of course flirty girls and good tippers regularly expect – and get – a good pour on their refills. The problem is, inconsistent drink pouring can account for as much as 20% in lost revenue for a busy bar or restaurant. ...