Build Your Business

Managing food cost and pricing your menu well can mean the difference between a thriving business and a struggling one. Here are some things to keep in mind as you pull out your calculator.

The more menu knowledge your staff has, the better equipped they will be to create a memorable guest experience. Staff training directly contributes to higher sales and staff retention. So, when does it make sense for a restaurant to facilitate and even pay for staff training outside of the restaurant, and how can restaurateurs make sure staff is knowledgeable on everyday menu items?

Now more than ever, it’s important to expand your menu selection to include gluten-free options for the growing population of those who are gluten-intolerant. Thanks to some creative chefs and food scientists, a whole host of gluten-free ingredients and products have emerged in the market, allowing you to serve gluten-free Italian dishes, Latin-inspired items, and even rich desserts.

Private label products are a billion-dollar industry that continue to grow market share. When a restaurant creates a private label product based on a popular menu item, it can provide another revenue stream for the business and a useful marketing tool as well.

These days, tourists are looking for local context--they want to shop, play, and eat like the locals. Tourists seek experiential activities that immerse them in the place they’re visiting. From farmers markets to foraging expeditions, tourists are looking for experiences that they can’t find anywhere else.

There’s a reason steak and wine are such a great match. They’re both richly sensual and all about pleasure and satisfaction. And the special synergy they have can translate to a profit-boosting strategy for you: steak and wine, two of the highest-value items on your menu, can sell each other.

How to make charitable giving work for your restaurant.

How to take and inspire exceptional Instagram content from your restaurant

What you need is something that appeals to your target audience and creates the right mood for the meal you’re trying to sell. Perhaps…. a date night.

It is no secret that, when it comes to staffing, we are living in a different day. The difficulties of finding qualified people has become daunting. The days of stacked up resumes in response to your 4 AM Craigslist ad are gone. If you are fortunate, you have a genius Exec Sous who is a recruiting machine. Even if that is the case, you might just have to get a little creative and look outside traditional kitchen employees.