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Showing posts from November, 2023

Tips And Tricks To Become A Good Server

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Serving as a waiter isn't a straightforward job—it requires being multifaceted, professional, and excelling in the hospitality industry. If you're eager to know how to be a good server, delve into this comprehensive blog for expert tips and tricks.  All About Serving  Serving customers in a restaurant is undoubtedly challenging. Handling difficult customers, accommodating custom requests, maintaining attention to detail, staying abreast of daily menu changes, and possessing acute mind-reading skills are all part of the job. Contrary to what some may think, being a server demands the utmost respect.  As servers often feel like they're running a one-person show, this blog unveils tried-and-tested tips from industry experts to ensure success in this seemingly thankless job. Success here contributes significantly to the overall success of a business.   The First Thing You Must Remember As A Waiter  Learning how to be an effective server, executing tasks meticulously, takes year

Everything You Need To Know About Soft Openings For Restaurants

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After securing a location, assembling a team, and finalizing a menu, the only remaining task is to open your restaurant's doors. But where do you start?  Soft openings offer an excellent way to test and refine your processes before officially unveiling your restaurant to the public. Whether you're aiming for a local buzz or just want to fine-tune your operations, we've compiled everything you need for a successful soft opening.  What is a Soft Opening?  A restaurant soft opening involves initiating operations for a select group before the official public launch. Think of it as a practice period comprising invite-only days or a series of events designed to test operations and create marketing buzz before the grand launch. This phase may involve operating for limited hours or with a reduced menu and might not have your full team on board. Soft openings typically last a few days to a few weeks to incorporate feedback and address any last-minute issues.  Advantages of a Soft Op

How To Navigate Corkage Fees: A BYOB Quick Guide

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Savoring a glass of wine during a meal is a delightful way to culminate an evening. Imagine relishing your preferred bottle of wine amidst the backdrop of a great restaurant, complementing the ambiance, companionship, and delectable food. Some eateries permit patrons to bring their own bottles of wine, beer, or liquor. However, in such cases, a corkage fee is often charged. This fee serves to cover the expenses associated with serving the wine and compensate for potential revenue loss. Whether it's a bring-your-own-beer (BYOB) or bring-your-own-wine (BYOW) service, understanding how corkage fees work is essential. How does it operate, what are the typical charges, and how should you approach it? This quick guide is designed to provide you with a brief but comprehensive understanding of corkage fees. What is Corkage? Corkage is a fee imposed on customers who consume their own beverages on the premises of a venue. While commonly associated with wine, corkage fees can also apply to lo

Crafting a Robust Restaurant Business Plan for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

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  Opening a restaurant demands careful planning. A restaurant business plan serves as a vital roadmap, providing clarity on strategy, resources, and potential challenges. This blog, suitable for both seasoned owners and new entrepreneurs, guides you through the intricacies of creating an effective restaurant business plan in 2024. The Role of a Restaurant Business Plan A restaurant business plan is not just a guideline but a roadmap for development. Given the restaurant industry's 20% success rate, where 80% fail within the first five years, a well-structured plan is crucial. Importance of a Business Plan Every venture, including restaurants, requires a business plan for clarity. It forces self-examination of the business model, value proposition, and prospects for success. A good business plan fosters accountability, enabling early identification of potential issues. Features of an Effective Restaurant Business Plan While internal, a restaurant business plan should be systematic,

Best Restaurant Loyalty Program: 5 Successful Examples

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Loyalty programs are a game-changer for restaurants, fostering customer loyalty and driving revenue. These structured systems reward patrons with incentives, discounts, and exclusive benefits, enhancing a restaurant's lifetime value. Surveys indicate that loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones, with 80% of a restaurant's revenue coming from the devoted 20%. In this blog, we delve into the art of crafting a successful restaurant loyalty program and showcase innovative examples for 2023. A Restaurant Loyalty Program: Unveiling the Concept A restaurant loyalty program systematically rewards patrons for their repeat business, aiming to engage, retain, and boost their lifetime value. By offering incentives, discounts, or exclusive benefits, these programs create a win-win scenario, keeping customers coming back and driving revenue. Fresh Ideas for Restaurant Loyalty Programs Item-Based Rewards: Encourage repeat visits with "Buy 5, Get the 6th Free" deals. Introduce &

What Is Automatic Gratuity? A Complete Guide

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If you own a restaurant, you understand the reliance of many staff, especially servers, on tips for additional income. While tipping is customary in the U.S., it's not obligatory. To address this, establishments often implement automatic gratuity—a predetermined percentage added to the bill. According to a Forbes study, 57% of restaurant customers tip between 11% and 20%, with digital tips generally higher. However, recent confusion arises as some restaurants add automatic gratuity to bills. What is Automatic Gratuity? Automatic gratuity is a predetermined charge added to a customer's bill, typically ranging from 18% to 20%. Restaurants may adjust this percentage, and advance notice is given to customers, often through signs or menu notes. It's commonly applied to large parties to simplify payments, ensuring fair compensation for servers, even with split bills. In 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classified automatic gratuity as a service charge, not a tip. Automati

What is an Angel Shot? Everything You Need to Know

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As a restaurant or bar owner, ensuring your patrons' safety and enjoyment is paramount. Instances of guests feeling uncomfortable or unsafe are unfortunately common, especially for women. The Angel Shot, a global trend, offers a subtle way for individuals to signal distress without drawing attention. What is an Angel Shot? An Angel Shot is a discreet code used to alert bar staff when assistance is needed. Originally stemming from programs where women at risk of assault could discreetly ask if "Angela" was working, it has evolved into a versatile system to combat various forms of distress. Types of Angel Shots Depending on the nature of assistance required, patrons may use different terms: Straight Up or Neat: Requests an escort to their car. On Ice or the Rocks: Asks for a discreet arrangement of a taxi or ride-sharing service. Twisted/Lemon/Lime: Signals immediate danger, requiring discreet police intervention. Handling an Angel Shot Order When a customer orders an Angel

Explore the Ultimate Collection of 2023's Top Instagram Captions for Restaurants

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Ever found yourself at a loss for the perfect Instagram caption for your restaurant? Today might just be your lucky day. Captions aren't just words; they're a powerful tool for enhancing the dining experience and building your restaurant's brand. In this blog post, we'll explore various caption types tailored for fine dining, offering tips and ideas to spare you the frustration of finding the right words. Dive into the best Instagram captions for restaurants, featuring over 100 options, including the finest, funniest, shortest, and most enticing captions for different occasions. Get ready to make your Instagram feed sizzle!  Best Restaurant Captions on Instagram Indulge in a sensory trip with every bite.   Life's too short for ordinary meals.   Dine where champions eat!   Your culinary haven awaits at our restaurant.   Every bite, a journey of flavors.   Short Restaurant Captions on Instagram:  Savor the moment, one bite at a time.   Good food, good mood.   Food, fr

What Are Operating Expenses And Its Calculation

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If you're embarking on a restaurant business, understanding your costs is crucial for sustainability. Restaurant operating expenses, comprising fixed, variable, and semi-variable costs, play a pivotal role in maintaining your financial health.  Exploring Restaurant Operating Costs  Operating expenses in the restaurant industry fall into three key categories:  1. Fixed Costs: These encompass insurance, loan repayments, space rent (if applicable), and specific annual license fees. These expenses are stable and easily integrated into your budget.  2. Variable Costs: These include unpredictable expenses such as food, hourly wages, and utilities. Accurately gauging these costs may require several months of operating your restaurant.  3. Semi-variable Costs: Combining both variable and fixed elements, labor costs are the primary component. Labor expenses can fluctuate due to factors like seasonality and demand, comprising salaried employees (fixed costs) and hourly-wage staff (variabl

The 9 Best Non- Slip Shoes for Restaurants

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What Exactly Are Slip-Resistant Shoes?    Slip-resistant or non-slip shoes, in contrast to traditional shoe designs, have been designed to reduce slips, trips, and accidental falls. Their outsoles contain sticky treads that keep you safe on your feet while walking on damp and slippery terrain.    Do slip-resistant shoes actually work? Sure thing! With non-slip footwear, you can confidently navigate tough, slick surfaces such as oily kitchen floors or icy sidewalks, knowing that the specialized traction patterns will help prevent unfortunate everyday life and accidents at work and keep your feet safe.      They are now available in a variety of styles to fit any taste!   Who Can Benefit from a Non-Slip Pair?    Slip-resistant shoes are vital for job safety (slippery floors, anyone?) and make excellent companions for outdoor adventures, ensuring you stay sure-footed in any weather condition.    Slip-resistant footwear is perfect for construction and food service workers, healthcare profe

Food Truck Startup Costs: How Much Does It Take to Begin?

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Commencing a restaurant venture demands significant time, effort, and financial investment. This challenge can be particularly daunting for newcomers in the food industry. In such cases, a food truck offers an attractive option for those eager to gain insights into the food industry's workings. Thanks to their affordability, low overhead, minimal staffing requirements, and mobility, food trucks are regarded as a cost-effective method for serving food.  Why Are Food Trucks Popular?  Food trucks, once a passing trend, have evolved into a mainstream food business. As an increasing number of Americans embrace the concept of mobile restaurants, the food truck industry attracts newcomers, aspiring chefs, and entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. As a result, many choose to test the waters in the food truck world before committing to a full-fledged restaurant business.  The food truck industry is steadily growing at an average rate of 8.4% annually.  Starting with a mobile operation i

100+ Engaging Pizza Captions for Your Instagram Posts

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Pizza, a beloved global favorite, is adored for its affordability, deliciousness, and endless variety. But it's not just a hit in pizzerias; it's also a star on Instagram!   Did you know that the hashtag #pizza has been used in over 40 million posts? For comparison, #sushi lags with fewer than 25 million posts, #burger falls under 15 million, and #tacos has less than 8 million.   Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most popular foods on Instagram. It not only photographs beautifully but can be prepared in countless delectable ways. Yet, to make your Instagram posts truly irresistible, you need a catchy caption to complement those mouthwatering images.  Crafting a clever caption for every post can be a creative challenge. So, here are 123 pizza captions for Instagram, all about this perfect pie.  Short Instagram Captions About Pizza:    Pizza perfection.  You had me at pizza.  It's pizza o'clock.  Keep calm and eat pizza.  A little slice of heaven.  In pizza we crust.  Pizza

Oklahoma Minimum Wage in 2023: What You Need to Know

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  In the current year, discussions about raising the minimum wage in Oklahoma are prevalent. As a business owner, it's crucial to remain well-informed on this subject. Not only is compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) important, but keeping up with any changes to Oklahoma's minimum wage allows you to make informed decisions about your business's future.  We've prepared a guide to help you understand the status of Oklahoma's minimum wage.  Understanding the Minimum Wage  The minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage established by federal law that employers can legally pay their workers. It serves as a legally mandated minimum wage floor that nonexempt workers must not work for or accept wages below.  Oklahoma's Minimum Wage in 2023  Oklahoma's minimum wage for employers in 2023 is $7.25 per hour, aligning with the federal minimum wage set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. While these are the historical and current Oklahoma minimum wage rates accord