How do you get rid of a customer who constantly complains and is always trying to get free food from you? It's a tricky and funny thing. Obviously, if we really keep making mistakes, we really do want to replace someone's food, along with a huge apology. Without a...
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...
With so many new restaurants opening around me and the economy being what it is, I’m getting scared watching sales drop. What can I do to keep my name out there without going broke? It’s time to turn your advertising inside out! Here’s what I want...
Marketing Home Plate There’s more to serving than simply slapping food on a plate By Jeff Freehof From parsley and Parmesan to lemon slices and dustings of powdered sugar, plating food is an art form that delights guests. I want to teach you some plating...
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 buying an existing dine-in pizza parlor. My challenge is diplomatically dealing with loud and out of control kids -- without offending the parents and making a touchy situation worse- trying to keep all the customers happy. It's frustrating when parents don't care...
The thing about marketing is, what works best for me, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work best for you. I have met folks in round-table discussions that have said door hangers work best for them. They get an immediate return. I tried and got literally no...
I want to get involved with local schools more. How do I approach them to team up with them somehow? Landing school accounts to provide pizza on a daily or weekly basis is an awesome thing, but it helps to first build a relationship with the local schools. Being a...
Should I set aside a specific amount for marketing each month, or should marketing costs be a percentage of my overall sales? When I was in the building stage of my business, I would dedicate 1 to 2 percent of my sales to advertising. Once I was well established and...
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 new corporate business is to do a hospitality run. The way to...
Lasagna is a staple in many pizzerias and restaurants across the nation. It rounds out your menu and accompanies your pizza, pasta and salads perfectly. Great lasagna can be a feature on your menu that can truly set you apart from your competitors.It really surprises...
Have you ever thought there was something nutty going on in your pizzeria? It’s definitely something to consider when it comes to incorporating nuts into your menu. There are so many varieties of nuts that can be used in various ways and in so many dishes. Now of...
