Customer Service
Restaurant Servers Need to Sell For the Long Term
Sales is part of the marketing function, although most businesses place this part of their operation on a pedestal above communication and delivery of the product. That is, most businesses except the restaurant business. For some reason, it is hard for restaurant owners to accept the fact that selling is part of the restaurateur’s job [...]
Restaurants Caught in Economic Vice
Spiraling costs and lower consumer spending are the jaws of a vice that is squeezing restaurants across the country. Notable chains are closing non-performing operations, independent restaurants are closing at a record pace and some food wholesalers are trying to survive record receivables that have put cash flow in negative numbers.
Chains have reacted by offering [...]
Competing with the Chains – Restaurant Marketing
If you look at thriving restaurants that exist next door to the giants of the restaurant world, one thing is abundantly clear; you can compete and win the war with mega-corporations. Is it easy - maybe not, but it is done frequently and many times in spite of not understanding why. By studying the differences [...]
Customers Not Training Ground for Restaurant Servers
The hostess seats you with menus, a smile and states Judy, your server, will be right with you. In a few minutes Judy shows up wearing the obligatory badge saying she is a “trainee”. A nervous, but cheerful Judy looks a little harried and rushed. Human nature makes it difficult to relax and ask many [...]
Menus are Your Sales Tool
Let’s make a couple of assumptions. First, you may have the best servers in the business. If you do, then you know they get very busy on occasion and don’t do the best job of selling your product. Second, your menu is seen by many people before they ever see a server. You may have [...]
