Culinary Cues

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

From my experience, it is difficult to experience a dinner for two in a moderate full-service, independent restaurant for less than $120 without gratuity. Here are some thoughts: PRODUCT: Take a hard look at your menu. Reverse engineer your menu from this perspective. That’s 21 meals for two people over seven days.

Pricing 314

Pricing Marketing Insurance Seasonal Menu 314

7 Shifts

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

They're people leaders, customer service providers, line cooks, inventory managers, occasional bartenders, public relations reps, number crunchers, and even marketers. It is your roadmap to attracting and retaining customers. Identify Target Customers. Restaurant owners and operators wear a lot of hats. Table of Contents.

Seating 221

Seating Email Marketing Marketing SEO 221

7 Shifts

AUGUST 26, 2024

A restaurant with a large patio may have a slow lunch if an unexpected rainstorm closes their outdoor seating area. Even if you work in an upscale establishment that takes reservations months in advance, you still don’t know what kind of customers you’ll get on any given night. And you never know who is going to walk through the door.

Fast Casual 370

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Customer Experience 370

SpotOn

JULY 15, 2024

The job description includes table management, managing reservations, and ensuring a stellar guest experience. Excellent customer service skills are always a must, and a warm smile never hurts. Table management Contrary to what many restaurant guests may think, table management isn't just seating guests at random empty tables.

Seating 52

Seating Fine Dining Customer Experience Online Ordering 52

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

The stores were empty, and restaurant service staff were staring out windows from the vantage of unfilled seats. One of the most difficult tasks that any restaurateur or chef faces is convincing a customer to walk through the door for the first or twentieth time.

Customer Experience 368

Customer Experience Customer Service Food Safety Hospitality 368

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 21, 2021

Get it wrong—with a menu that doesn't fit the ambiance or pricey dishes not suited for the clientele—and would-be regulars will at best feel confused and at worst never return. Restaurant concepts define the overall theme or idea behind a restaurant, including cuisine, service style, music, and menu design. Menu design.

Fast Casual 370

Fast Casual Food Truck Casual Customer Service 370

7 Shifts

AUGUST 18, 2024

Opening and owning a bar is one of those unique life experiences; you have no idea what it will be like until you actually go for it. This could be a good choice if you find a business that is already established and has a loyal customer base. These elements need to work together to ensure your customers understand what you're about.

Bar 370

Bar License Email Marketing Customer Service 370

7 Shifts

AUGUST 26, 2019

"Restaurant revenue management is defined as selling the right seat to the right customer at the right price and for the right dura­tion."— From there, you can make vital decisions about price, service capacity, table turnover, and your menu to boost revenue and profits. Engineer your menu for sales and profits.

Management 408

Management Management Airlines Customer Service 408

The Eat Restaurant

APRIL 24, 2024

Attracting new customers and keeping regulars in your restaurant while managing full seating capacity can be challenging. A great solution is to offer pre-made tasting menus through unique dining experiences. This approach draws guests in and delights them with unusual dishes and fresh ingredients.

Menu 78

Menu Marketing Seating Customer Experience 78

7 Shifts

JULY 10, 2020

Set a goal for your restaurant’s grand opening—whether it’s seating capacity, an order volume, or revenue for your first day back in business. Also consider sending an Announcement to your team about the grand reopening, the menu, and what they can do to prepare. Set a budget ?? Mel Bensky, @tastethesix. Need some ideas?

Events 351

Events Social Media Kitchen Safety Seating 351

Open for Business

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

While traditionally associated with fine dining, the prix fixe (pronounced “pre-feks”) menu has transcended its high-end roots, becoming a popular culinary trend. When curated with care and promoted effectively, this menu is a powerful tool for any restaurant, capable of making a memorable impression and drawing eager guests through the door.

Menu 78

Menu Seasonal Menu Fine Dining Social Media 78

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 4, 2021

As consumer options and demand shifted, businesses were forced to adapt and prioritize new technologies and alternate ordering experiences that would allow them to deliver on customer expectations. This allows for brands to have a direct relationship with customers, and in turn, create more personalized, frictionless engagements.

Mobile Ordering 203

Mobile Ordering Marketing Menu Fast Casual 203

Culinary Cues

AUGUST 9, 2021

The goal of every restaurant and every chef is to create memorable experiences for the guest. Wow visuals on the plate and in the dining room, wow views from every seat, wow service, and of course – wow flavors on the plate. Guests will return when the effort expended to create memorable complete dining experiences is front and center.

Front of House 473

Front of House Customer Experience Dine-in Training 473

SpotOn

MAY 13, 2024

As the summer season approaches, bringing with it longer days and warmer weather, restaurants have a golden opportunity to welcome waves of customers looking for memorable dining experiences.  Upgrade your outdoor dining experience Summer is synonymous with outdoor dining. We can help.

Seasonal Menu 98

Seasonal Menu Outdoor Email Marketing Loyalty Program 98

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 30, 2023

.” Simple concept yet much harder to pull off for today’s restaurants struggling to harmonize in-store, drive-thru, delivery and curbside experiences for both customers and employees. Customer expectations are level set by their most advanced in-store and digital experiences.

Operations 179

Operations Mobile Ordering Customer Experience Online Ordering 179

7 Shifts

AUGUST 18, 2021

You may serve the best food on the block, but if your restaurant doesn't match its dishes with plausible customer service, your customers may never come back. That's why it's important to provide an outstanding dining experience from the second your customer's enter your restaurant, till the moment they leave.

Customer Service 369

Customer Service Customer Experience Online Ordering Loyalty Program 369

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Restaurants are no longer just about the food – they are about the complete dining experience, which includes ambiance, service speed, and personalized interaction. These technologies promise to streamline processes, improve customer service, and provide a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.

Operations 189

Operations Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 189

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 13, 2024

Establishments are grappling with a complex crisis characterized by empty seats in dining areas and behind the scenes, where a shortage of skilled workers is keenly felt. Understanding the Drought The labor shortage has hit hard, with many restaurants operating below capacity despite a rebound in customer demand.

Loyalty Program 196

Loyalty Program Customer Service Customer Experience 2024 196

7 Shifts

JULY 16, 2021

Create a Menu. Get to know your future customers, before they even step foot in your door. You may discover that your target customers enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up and are sensitive to price. Do they have indoor seating or are they takeout-only? Seating capacity. Expected menu prices. Coffee Shop Concepts.

License 459

License Hiring Equipment Small Business 459

7 Shifts

AUGUST 16, 2024

From managing staff to overseeing customer service and financials, they play a crucial role in ensuring the restaurant's daily operations run smoothly. On the front-of-house side, they focus on customer service, solving problems quickly to keep guests happy and returning. What do restaurant managers do? It’s not rocket science.”

2024 195

2024 Management Management Leadership 195

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 18, 2022

As restaurants continue to deal with the staffing shortages affecting the entire industry, they inevitably look for ways to improve the employee experience. Surprisingly, enhancing the customer experience can go a long way toward alleviating staffing challenges. What Is Virtual Queuing?

Seating 203

Seating Customer Experience Customer Service Take-out 203

7 Shifts

APRIL 7, 2021

New CDC restrictions not only hindered capacity percentages but changed the way employees interacted with customers daily. This process also includes exploring the historical and philosophical practices of customer service. Take advantage of their experience and talk to them about different and innovative ways of training new hires.

Training 370

Training Food Safety Customer Experience Insurance 370

Culinary Cues

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

We can all choose to be great at what we do; choose to master our craft and create outstanding experiences for guests and co-workers alike, or we can choose to shrug our shoulders and surrender to mediocrity. Some mediocre operations may experience a false sense of euphoria simply because of supply and demand. Plain and simple.

Fine Dining 398

Fine Dining Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 398

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Whenever I take the time to pause and reflect on my time working in restaurants and participating in restaurant experiences, I tend to categorize them as wow experiences, surprising experiences, and special experiences. Happy customers told their friends, and their friends told their friends.

Food Truck 399

Food Truck Customer Service Customer Experience Food Supply 399

Bingage

JANUARY 29, 2021

It’s no secret that the customer experience is one of the most important parts of running a restaurant. If you don’t have happy customers, they won’t come back! A common complaint among restaurant owners is that customers don’t feel like they’re getting enough attention. How does it work?

Customer Experience 52

Customer Experience Email Marketing Demo Loyalty Program 52

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 22, 2021

Dozens of new restaurants are opening worldwide every day, so it is important that your establishment attracts customer’s attention. It takes a memorable aesthetic that will pull customers in and keep them returning. Eliminate televisions from the walls so your guests can have a better experience with their friends and family.

Design 212

Design 2022 Front of House Back of House 212

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 20, 2021

Restaurants should ask themselves the following question: as customers return to dining out, how can we keep not only our guests—but staff—happy? As soon as they sit down, guests can pull up the menu on their phone and review it at their leisure—they can even place an order without flagging down their server.

Dietary Restrictions 197

Dietary Restrictions Customer Experience Dine-in Technology 197

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 29, 2024

Food is visceral in a way that airline seats aren't. ’" Is it possible for restaurants to have the best of both worlds and maximize revenue and still capture customer loyalty? That partnership will hopefully bring the customer voice to the table while at the same time understanding the challenges of the business.

Pricing 193

Pricing Airlines Loyalty Program Education 193

7 Shifts

JULY 22, 2022

It’s also important to note that using outdoor space and adding more seating to your restaurant can increase your revenue by 30%. You have the ability to build custom job postings in order to find ideal, qualified candidates for your restaurant's roles. Staffing for summer. It costs an average of $5,864 to hire a new team member.

Tip Distribution 391

Tip Distribution Certification Document Seasonal Menu 391

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 3, 2022

Over the past few years, the pandemic has caused an uproar and massive changes to the dining experience as we knew it in 2019. With the pandemic coming to an end, people are finally starting to get back to the “regular” dining experience at sit-down restaurants. Redesign Your Menus. Improve the Atmosphere.

Customer Experience 188

Customer Experience Training Customer Service Dine-in 188

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 10, 2023

A restaurant’s design is a guest’s first impression, setting the stage for the experience to come. The partnership resulted in a 116-seat signature restaurant directly inspired by the chef’s menu. Why is design so crucial for creating the right look and atmosphere to complement a menu?

Design 194

Design Customer Experience Magazine Seating 194

7 Shifts

JANUARY 31, 2024

This includes greeting guests and thanking them for their patronage, conducting tableside checks, and resolving any customer complaints quickly, effectively, and empathetically. The best restaurant managers take customer service a step further, recognizing regulars and personalizing service for a more memorable guest experience.

Management 397

Management Management Kitchen Safety Front of House 397

ChowNow

JULY 17, 2024

This could include providing exceptional customer service, maintaining high food quality, ensuring a clean and safe environment, and maximizing efficiency. Head Chef: Manages kitchen staff, menu planning, and food preparation. Server: Take orders, serve food and beverages, and provide customer service.

Operations 78

Operations Kitchen Safety Front of House Food Safety 78

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 11, 2024

Management takes on multiple jobs throughout the restaurant including hiring, marketing, maintaining the budget, operations and keeping customers and staff happy. You often have young employees who go outside of their duties to make sure the restaurant is running smoothly and ensure each customer receives the best service possible.

Management 166

Management Management Back of House Customer Service 166

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Due to many factors including inflation and supply chain challenges, restaurant owners and operators have been faced with tough choice about raising menu prices. To do this, restaurants will either need to use lower cost food items or raise menu prices. Another way to introduce price increases is to introduce new elements to the menu.

Pricing 196

Pricing Food Supply Seasonal Menu Menu 196

7 Shifts

MARCH 10, 2021

There are many reasons why a restaurant fails — no industry experience on the part of the owner, poor location, not enough operating capital — but the main reason is a lack of planning. A successful business plan covers everything from the food you’ll serve to how your restaurant will look and how you want your customers to feel.

Management 370

Management Management Small Business Email Marketing 370

7 Shifts

JANUARY 10, 2024

Located in a market with a focus on Latin American businesses, what sets Destino apart (aside from inventive cocktails) is the note under the dessert menu: “In lieu of tipping, we add a 20% service charge to each order to support a professional wage for our entire team. Can customers still leave tips? We're a prix fixe menu.

FOH 221

FOH Front of House Customer Service Back of House 221