Operational Tips
Are You Protected?
Doug Valenski First Defense: Alarms and security cameras are effective deterrents for many would-be thieves. According to the FBI's most recent statistics,...
Recent Stories
Smart Ways to Reduce Employee Anxiety
If you're a leader, you feel it in your gut: Stress is at an all-time high. The uncertain economy keeps everyone, even those who work for successful companies,...
When Reservations Are Mission Impossible
It's not who you are or who you know, but how fast you can click that gets you into David Chang's red-hot Momofuku Ko in New York City. And by we mean...
The Verdict: Menu Labeling Is A Must
You could argue with U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell's decision to uphold New York City's mandate that chain restaurants must display nutritional...
Wisdom of the Crowd
The phenomenon of crowd-sourcing isn't new to the restaurant rating business; the Zagat Survey has relied on this method for years to gather content for...
Creating A Direct-Mail Marketing Plan
Direct mail pieces can be the most efficient way to attract new customers. They entice potential customers by showing them what you've got. Since most...
Think Small
A growing number of operators are finding that less is more. Less space means lower labor, rent and development costs and, if they can balance the smaller...
Get Credit Where Credit is Due
Establishing business credit is an essential part of running a restaurant...
Competitive Weapon of Choice
Labor, an ongoing concern for the full-service restaurant industry, offers a special malaise in many markets right now: an outright shortage of educated, skilled people who will work for what restaurants can pay...
How to Manage Your Inventory Properly
Early in my career, I was in a walk-in cooler with a friend and he asked, “What do you see on the shelves?” I started listing what I could see on the shelves, but was hushed by the friend, who told me the answer is money. This was a very important lesson— inventory is money...
Taking Care of the Back of the House
The first thing I’d do to ease labor costs is implement a complete tip-pooling house. The options would be either add the gratuity on to the check automatically or divvy it up among everyone based on how long they have been with the company or the department they work in....
Are You Protected?
Doug Valenski First Defense: Alarms and security cameras are effective deterrents for many would-be thieves. According to the FBI's most recent statistics,...
It's Your Money
SAVE IT: You're throwing away money if you overpay your quarterly income taxes. DON'T JUST SIT ON IT: Managing your nest egg wisely will result in more...
Nick at Night
NO-FOAM ZONE: Nicholas thinks too many restaurants have forgotten about the basics, like delicious food and warm service. It's not that we lost track...
How to Sell Your Restaurant Online
Mike Handelsman DEAL OR NO DEAL: The Internet can help you make one. Selling your restaurant can be a lifechanging event. Your decision to sell can be...
A Supplier Shopping List
By Lee Plotkin ONE SIZE? A single distributor may not be able to service growing concepts. FLEXIBILITY: Choose suppliers who can grow with you. Growing...
