So far, 2022 feels like quicksand. Stocks are frowning, my crypto wallets are shrinking into a pile of worthless electronic blips, mask mandates are back, restaurants are asking for government assistance, and Russia seems poised to invade Ukraine. Last year at this time we felt like we were blasting out of the Death Star after […]
Optimism is Worth the Effort Read More »
The two sides of our consulting business: launching new concepts and fixing/improving existing concepts. These have given us a unique perspective on what makes restaurants successful …or not. It’s widely known, or at least surmised, that the restaurant business is risky…too risky for most. What makes them so? Is it cost of goods? Not really.
Why Restaurants Should Outsource Management Read More »
Everyone knew that the pandemic would change people; the way they shop, eat, and live their lives, but we didn’t know how. Finally, all the opinion surveys and all the data collection are starting to give us enough information to plot a path forward. The people have spoken and what they said is “We want
Happy New Year: 2022 Restaurant Trends Read More »
So, you think you want to quit your job and open a restaurant…or become a rock star. Those are pretty natural instincts when you’re trying to figure out where your life is going if you’ve made a wrong turn. Possibilities for becoming a rock star are a little easier to contain as talent is somewhat
Opening a Restaurant – How Much Should You Pay for Your Rock-n-Roll Lifestyle? Read More »
I was dining at a popular Italian restaurant in a popular outdoor lifestyle shopping plaza at a popular time – Saturday night, 7:30pm. We had a reservation, but expectations for being seated on time were low because of COVID. Generally, everyone gets a hall pass so minor grievances like wait time or long ticket times
5 Recommendations for Restaurant Music Management Read More »
It’s that time of year! July…halfway through the year… the beginning of Q3. Somewhere in December most restaurateurs compile a list of things they want to accomplish for the year, vowing to use the “down time” after the holidays to regroup and get ready for Q2. Springtime is usually good to restaurants and this year
Half Year Resolutions Read More »
There has been a lot of chatter lately about the first few dozen states cutting short the pandemic unemployment benefit in an effort to get folks to return to work. In a May 2021 article from NBC News by Dartunorro Clark, the topic is polarizing with the right claiming that ending the program early will
The REAL Reason for The Great Restaurant Labor Shortage Read More »
M&A activity in large public chain concepts is well documented and thriving. In fact, Atlanta-based Roark Capital / Inspire Brands acquired their way to the 2nd largest restaurant company in the US. Indeed, M&A activity has grown at a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years and “has topped more than
Mergers and Acquisitions are for Independent Restaurants Too Read More »
Everyone has said for a year now that restaurants will not be the same when we come out of The Pandemic; that evolution is inevitable. Well, spring is here, shots are in arms, and restrictions are being lifted. It is time to decide what we have become, buy some land, and get those shovels in
What Restaurant Should You Build in 2021? Read More »
Technology has made many changes in the restaurant industry. One of these changes involves how we create and edit menus. Using technology such as tablets and software for menus is convenient both for restaurants and customers. They also make it easier for customers to use apps and order online. How Technology is Changing Menus
Evolving Technology’s Impact on Menu Development & the Surprising Benefits Read More »
