Love it or hate it, ricotta just may be the most versatile cheese found in pizzerias today. Not only is it used in pasta dishes, but it can also be found atop pizzas and in rich, delightful sauces and desserts. It’s important to understand what ricotta...
The amount of varieties really depends on how passionate you are or want to be about it, as well as the volume of your business. I would not sell them all by the glass unless you have a fairly small list. Otherwise, you'll have some wines spoil after opening.
I know that to say “it depends” seems vague. However, it really does depend on what you are trying to create. Do you want to be known for having an incredible beer selection with beers from all over the world? More importantly, do you have the...
There are some vegetables that you simply must peel to consume. The beautiful eggplant however, can be eaten, skin and all. It boils down to personal preference. Once you realize the health benefits from the eggplant’s skin, your peeler may never make another...
A growing number of my customers use credit cards, but the fees are killing me. Anything I can do? A: I feel your pain! If the fees are killing you, then the sales are saving you! We can no longer live without accepting credit cards, because almost everyone does and...
I bought some new pizza screens for use in my conveyor oven, but pizza keeps sticking to them. What is the problem? Before using new pizza screens, you need to spray them (make sure it's an oil-based spray) and run them through the conveyor about 8 to 10 times,...
What are the advantages of portion control, or is it best to freehand? The biggest advantage of portion control is definitely food cost control. This is an area that many foodservice workers miss out on. Over-portioning can account for a large part of high...
How do you compensate your delivery drivers? I paid my drivers regular minimum wage, plus they earned their tips. I also paid them a 50 cent commission for each delivery. I recently started charging customers a one dollar delivery charge, which deferred the cost of...
I'm not sure what I should expect to pay for rent. What percentage of my sales should rent account for? You really can’t know what your sales will be projected at until you find an appropriate space that is suitable for your concept. When you find the best...
I'm setting up the layout of my second location and thinking about not offering free refills on soft drinks. I may put the fountain behind the counter. What's your opinion? If you expect to be a busy operation, then you would need an extra employee just to pour...
I am thinking of trimming my operating hours for the summer because sales seem to slow down. I’ll increase them again in the fall. Does this sound like a smart idea? Actually, the one thing I notice from experience, is that when you close for a certain day or...
Any ideas on how I can drum up more corporate lunch business? Corporate accounts can be very lucrative, as long as you keep their business by serving excellent food — on time! You’ve got to go after them in as many ways as you can. One great way to drum up...
