In an era marked by inflation and supply chain disruptions, restaurants face the formidable challenge of maintaining profit margins while food costs soar. The confluence of these economic pressures demands innovative approaches to menu planning, cost control, and supplier negotiations. Here, we explore the impact of these factors on food prices and offer practical strategies… Read more »
Restaurant operators looking for a cost-effective, simple, and highly effective marketing tool need look no further than the phones in their pockets. Text (SMS) marketing campaigns have already proven highly effective in retail and entertainment yet remain wildly underutilized in the restaurant industry. If used correctly, text marketing can keep restaurants’ customers engaged and provide… Read more »
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost forty percent of Americans aged 55 and older are active in today’s workforce. Yet this demographic consistently finds itself up against roadblocks when seeking new opportunities, particularly in the hospitality industry. Young hiring managers often hold misguided notions that older candidates can have too much experience, not… Read more »
Restaurant technology development has taken off at an unprecedented pace in the last five years. Technology companies touted everything from flashy robots to sophisticated operating systems as “the next big thing” in restaurants. However, rapid development also means growing pains. Which of these restaurant technology trends are living up to expectations, and which trends simply… Read more »
Having an easily recognizable employer brand is invaluable to hospitality companies seeking to attract candidates. However, some hiring situations require a more discrete approach. Whether a hospitality company wants to limit the number of unqualified candidates, shield business plans from competitors, or minimize operations disruptions during executive turnover, confidential searches can be a valuable strategy.… Read more »
User Generated Content (UGC), which is anything that a customer shares about a brand on social media, seems to be a marketing golden ticket for restaurants. It speaks to the public’s demand for authenticity and is budget friendly. We have seen restaurants use tactics like aggressive review requests, flashy in-restaurant photo ops, and even online… Read more »
The hottest topic of discussion at industry conferences lately has been dynamic pricing for restaurants, a data-backed strategy that adjusts menu prices on demand. This strategy, also known as “surge pricing”, has been successful in other industries like ride-sharing and airlines, but its implementation in the restaurant industry is still up for fiery debate. Here… Read more »
Whether voluntarily or legally obligated, hospitality employers have made record-setting pay rate increases in 2023. However, many companies are still struggling to attract talent due to a low unemployment rate. When employers compete for talent in a small talent pool, they need more than increased pay to gain the upper hand. These conditions will produce… Read more »
Between the rise in unreliable third-party to-go orders and a recent wave of price increases, there has been an increase in nasty reviews online. For some restaurant managers, over-the-top, bad reviewers simply do not merit a response, especially if the diners were unruly or rude. But responding to these might be in a restaurant’s best… Read more »
It’s no secret that the restaurant industry struggles to retain workers. Many restaurant owners have simply accepted this as a fact of life and figured out ways to cope with a revolving door of employees. However, the most competitive restaurateurs understand that creating staff loyalty is not only good for business but essential for growth.… Read more »