I prefer using fresh vegetables on my pizza, but they have more water content and create a soggy pizza. Is there a solution to this problem? A: Yes, there is. I like fresh veggies too, and I solved that problem by using a Japanese breadcrumb. I find it best to sauce...
Have you ever participated in local festivals by setting up a food booth? Is it worth the trouble and expense? Do you actually make a profit, or is it just more to get your name out there in the community? I participate in those as often as I can. There are definitely...
My son just over a small bar/restaurant and really wants to offer hand-tossed pizzas. Can they be cooked in the convection oven? A: You can bake a decent pizza in a convection oven, but you can't bake it in a pizza pan. See, in a traditional pizza oven, you have about...
Have you ever purchased used equipment? Was your experience positive or negative? Yes, I’ve purchased used equipment. There are times that it works out well and times it doesn’t. Regardless of the used equipment you are considering, do your best...
I recently had a bad review in the local paper. What can I do marketing wise to overcome the bad press? If you are a successful business with a strong customer base, the review won’t hurt you at all. Now if you are new or if this article has had a negative...
I'm thinking of hiring a store manager and want to know your opinion on promoting from within or bringing someone new into the company. I've done both and it is definitely an easier transition to promote from within if you have the right candidate. One of the problems...
I’m opening my first pizzeria and am building a freestanding unit. My question is: is it worth the extra construction expense to add a lobby/waiting area? I’m going to have 32 four-top tables and eight six-person booths. With a restaurant that size,...
Does it make sense to grind my own cheese, or should I buy it already done? A: Both make sense to do. It really depends on your space and the complexity of your menu and other food preparation techniques. I tend to have a large menu with a pretty big prep list....
Sunday sales have been fluctuating recently and tapering off. I’m thinking of closing Sundays for a while and may revisit opening back up at a later date. Does that sound reasonable? I think businesses that keep changing their hours are just shooting...
Have you ever participated in local festivals by setting up a food booth? Is it worth the trouble and expense? Do you actually make a profit, or is it just more to get your name out there in the community? I participate in those as often as I can. There are definitely...
I'm looking at two locations. One is 3,000 square feet and centrally located in a busy shopping plaza. Rent is high and it will cost a lot of money to renovate. Parking is a bit of a problem in this busy plaza. The second location is across the street from a shopping...
How do you determine portion sizes? How much difference should there bebetween lunch and dinner portions? Well, first you need to determine what food cost percentage you want to run. Then you’ve got to cost out your raw product by the ounce. Make sure...
