Monday, November 28, 2016
Today's Specials:
READ: 6 Worst Trump-Inspired Restaurant Incidents (So Far)
Since Donald Trump won the US Presidential election, there have been a rash of violence in Trump's name across the country. Some of which are happening right in restaurants.
IN DEATH DID YOU KNOWs…
With the coincidental demise of three 60’s and 70’s icons we offer you relevant Did You Knows.
Florence Henderson
She was the first woman to host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962.
Ron Glass
While best known for his role a Ron Harris in Barney Miller he was also featured in the cult classic, Firefly. His role was of Shepherd Book. This aligns with his real life experience as a member of Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist organization.
Fidel Castro
While at school, Fidel wasn’t a great student but excelled at sports. He was voted Cuba’s best all-around athlete in 1944
CATERING TO WHOM
Why it matters to you: Embracing catering as a revenue stream is smart business
We have talked a lot about ensuring that you are leveraging the value of your rent by increasing ways to deliver service. Whether it’s allowing workshare in your restaurant if you aren’t open for lunch or taking on delivery deliver these examples represent incremental sales that don’t require more dining room space. The more you can sell the marginal cost of labor drops in your kitchen precipitously.
Catering is a tremendous opportunity for any operator to add sales while maximizing that exact economy. The key of course, is to be organized and prepared. This article covers some baseline thinking on how to best succeed in catering. Remember, the beauty of catering is you know exactly how many are coming and when they will arrive. From there is just execution, something at which our industry excels.
THE END IS NEAR, OR NOT
Why it matters to you: Trends matter and this one spells the end of diners
The death of the diner has been much reported. In a recently posted NY Times article, George Blecher provides an autopsy of sorts to fully understand the genre’s demise. Primarily he focuses on the place the diner held in city culture and how it was common ground for many. Built into the fabric of the city experience was knowing people from the neighborhood and specifically the diner. It’s a truth about our restaurants that can’t be undervalued: We are the diners of today.
People will always want to gather and interact. We are by nature social and even the best VR hasn’t replicated that…yet. So while you still can, behave like a place people become connected. Have a special event for your regulars. Involve them in the experience of your restaurant by having them join for tastings or give honest feedback. While the future may be digital, it will still include our places in a social role. So connect, already, with your regulars and you will secure your business.
PLEASE, NOT HERE!
Why it matters to you: Is an outburst, like a recent Delta passenger, had about his Trump support, in your future?
Last Tuesday on a Flight from Atlanta Georgia to Allentown Pennsylvania, a passenger took it upon himself to share his support for Donald Trump with an entire plane. Delta officials apologized on Sunday for not controlling the outburst. In their statement they said, “The behavior we see in this video does not square with our training or culture and follow-up will continue so we can better ensure our employees will know they will be fully supported to make the right decisions when these issues arise.”
Is there a lesson here for you? It’s now post-election and the decision has been made. Time will heal many of the wounds of this season’s vitriol, but for some, there may still be lingering resentment. The last thing you want is this type of publicity given that the video has been viewed over 2 million times. Keep your eyes and ears open to ensure that you don’t repeat Delta’s mistake and go viral.