Food safety training and certification solutions
When a little girl left a stuffed bear at an IHOP in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, server Debi Jean called upon the powers of the Internet to locate the owner of the lost toy.
Debi got in touch with the Bitchy Waiter to help spread the message, and the post was shared by thousands. Finally the family was located, and the stuffed panda was shipped home to the little girl who missed him.
Read the story from the adorable panda’s perspective here: Proof that Waiters and Waitresses Are Great People
Most marketing seems to be focused on capturing the attention of technologically-savvy millennials, but a large portion of food service patrons are older adults. The baby boomer generation is aging, and they require different attention.
A new report has been released by Canadean Ltd titled, “How to differentiate Marketing between Aging Consumers and Other Audiences in Food markets.” The report will help businesses cater to this misunderstood group of people.
The traditional roles filled by senior citizens is changing, and today’s elderly do not want to be seen as fragile or a burden and would rather blur the line, favoring inclusive products instead of being targeted based on age.
However, many are demanding more home experiences (“insperiences”) and especially seek high value for the amount of money spent. Products for seniors should focus on how they fit into the consumer’s lifestyle.
Read the full article here: How to Differentiate Marketing Between Aging Consumers and Other Audiences in Food Markets
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The dining experience has been changing, and more people are going out to eat than cook at home. For the first time since the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking sales (1992), Americans are spending more money eating out in restaurants and bars than grocery stores, especially over the last year. Some people are eating out on a daily basis.
This article at Shiftgig features a graph of the sales trend over the years, as well as some explanations for the change.
Read the full article here: Good News for the Industry: Americans Spend More Money Eating Out Than Cooking at Home
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When this server waited on an attourney in The Doo-Dah Diner of Wichita, Kansas, he had no idea his life would change for the better with a generous tip that went far beyond the table.
Bryan Maixner suffered from extensive dental issues and he was working hard to raise money for the health insurance needed to get them fixed. When his customer Fred Boettcher saw his plight, he offered to help and paid for Bryan’s dental care.
There are some truly generous people in this world.
Read the full article here: Generous Tipper Leaves Kansas Waiter Smiling With a New Set of Teeth
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Restaurants have been run the same way for many years, but with the rise of mobile technology many restaurants are changing their game and seeing some huge benefits. Mobile technology not only makes seating and ordering more efficient, but it also offers delivery solutions and social marketing opportunities.
Tablets speed up the dining experience, allowing customers to be seated faster. More tables turning equals more profit. Tablets permit customers to order and pay directly from the table instead of forcing them to wait for busy servers to pick up their payment, ring them up, and bring back the receipt. This gives servers more time to up-sell and focus on customer engagement, which increases tabs (and your bottom line).
Mobile technology can also make the delivery process more efficient. Orders can tracked, delivery distance can be calculated, and delivery times can be approximated depending on current traffic conditions via GPS systems. They also facilitate better communication between kitchen and driver.
Customers and operators connect in a strong, dynamic way via social media. Engagement via digital marketing is a driving force that keeps customers coming through those front doors.
Read the full article here: Ordering up efficiency: Optimizing work flow using mobile technology
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A new order confirmation system for drive-thrus has recently been released from Techknow, which is reported to be only the beginning of a newly expanded line of products. The system has many advanced features, such as the ability to analyze the effectiveness of promotions with TEMS enterprise management software.
For more, read the full article here: Techknow Inc. Unveils New 15″ Order Confirmation System
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If your establishment produces a lot of salsa (I’m looking at you, Mexican restaurants) and you don’t have a fast way to dice your tomatoes, you could be wasting precious time – and that means making less money. Check out this video featuring the Robot Coupe – it dices veggies for salsa perfectly!
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Developing your brand online through a company website is important for every business, but engaging directly with your customers via social media is what promotes brand loyalty and spreads your company’s message. Positive reviews on websites like Yelp help bring in first timers. Replying to comments and engaging on these platforms is important.
This article of Dos and Don’ts featured at foodservice.com has some great advice for approaching guests online. Responding to every comment you receive will show others that you care about your customers and value their thoughts. Don’t focus on one specific form of social media – extend your presence on as many as you can.
Cultivating and promoting your restaurant online might seem like a lot of work, but it’s beneficial. Just remember to never, ever respond negatively to a customer. Always do your best to seek a solution to their problem, no matter what it is.
Read the full article here: The Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media Guest Interaction
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According to new figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 60,000 jobs were added in food service (eating and drinking places) in February 2015, and the trend is likely to continue!
Even though the weather has been less than coopoerative in northern states, the jobs growth has been immense. Current statistics show the addition of over 150,000 jobs over the last three months, which could be the strongest expansion ever recorded.
Read the full article here: Foodservice jobs to increase 3.4% in 2015, outpacing total US job growth, NRA says
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Too many articles highlight the rough sides of the service industry, but once in a while a story comes along that restores your faith in humanity. Recently in Tennessee a waitress received an unusually large tip accompanied by a touching note, which she promptly shared online.
The man she waited on has a tradition where he celebrates his late brother’s birthday by going to a restaurant, eating his brother’s favorite meal, and tipping the server the age his brother would have been.
I think I have something in my eye…
Read the full article here: Man Commemorates Brother Who Passed Away by Leaving Amazing Tips
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