To read part two click here Labor cost is another issue that is going to affect restaurant operations. We can’t just look at labor as bodies and do we have enough. We are going to have to redesign our entire operations strategy to minimize labor and operating complexity so we can operate with fewer people …
restaurant operations
Running Restaurants is Getting Harder – Part 2
To read part one click here Food trucks are another segment of the industry that have prospered from wireless technology. Until recently it was incredibly expensive to take mobile credit card payments. Now it’s comparable to hardwired credit card payments. Mobile technology has made it easier for food trucks to service customers. It used to …
Running Restaurants is Getting Harder – Part 1
If you are a restaurant manager responsible for one location or thousands of locations, then you need to keep reading. Is running restaurants getting harder? Profitability is being squeezed from every direction. From $15 hr minimum wages, increased competition, commodity prices, and technology to name a few. When I came up in the industry in …
Over 29k Restaurant Jobs added Across Segments in July
A press release from the National Restaurant Association today reported that the restaurant industry added 29,300 (seasonally adjusted) jobs in July. This is the 17th time in the last 18 months that the industry posted job growth of 20,000 or more. Here are some more stats from the article: The industry is on pace to …
You Are Only As Good As Your Staff
In our business, the people business, we rely heavily on our vast staff who service our customers with the same passion that we do when we’re on the front lines. Guest perception will make or break your business. You need to make sure that each and every customer interaction is at it’s highest level …
The Hidden Benefit Of A Consumer App
I heard an ad on the radio today for Subway’s new app. It’s another app aimed at making the dining/user experience better at Subway. There are a ton of apps being developed in the industry right now in this space. Interacting with the customers in a digital way to make things quicker and easier thus …
Total Number of US Restaurant Units Decline
Read an article today on Blue MauMau regarding the decline in the number of restaurant units over the past year. Independent restaurants are the culprit as chain restaurants saw growth in the number of units over the same period. It seems to be getting tougher and tougher on the independent restaurant operators to compete these …
The Value of Pre-Shift Meetings
I had the opportunity in 2002 to go through hospitality and customer service training similar to what the Ritz Carlton organization uses. This program was implemented at one of the premier shopping malls in the country, The Grove in Los Angeles. I was a Concierge Services Manager at the mall. Our concierge team was so …
CEOs Discuss $15/Hr Minimum Wage
This past week or so we have seen a lot in the news about Restaurant CEO’s speaking out on the $15 minimum wage push. The one that got the most press was Nigel Travis of Dunkin’ Brands, calling it “outrageous”. CNN Money posted an article today on the subject with thoughts from Sally Smith of …
FOH Readiness is Key
I’m sure you have experienced this a million times…. I’m going to share a story from my days bartending in a very busy mountain town. Spring break was one of the busiest times of the year. Two-hour waits for dinner and up to an hour wait for lunch. No real break between the …