Considering the prices of pizza-related commodities today and the state of the U.S. economy, I understand the temptation to find a few corners here and there to cut. Slashing costs, after all, should theoretically result in a heftier bottom line. Don...

We all strive for consistency. In sports, you’ll hear players and coaches say all they ask from officials is that they be consistent. The word choice is interesting. They don’t demand accuracy, they demand consistency. In baseball, for ex...

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 gr...

Recently, I was visiting a pizzeria and discussing its menu with the owner. He does a New York-style hand tossed pizza, and he does it well. It’s the workhorse of his menu and he’s very proud of it. When the conversation turned to his app...

It was a Friday night in late August, and an unexpected thunderstorm came and went rather suddenly. The damage was modest, but it knocked out power to much of the area in which I live. It was dinner time and my hungry toddler, like most little ones, ...

If your customers rated you right now on your service and overall hospitality, how would you do? If you are absolutely, positively certain they would say they always feel welcome and appreciated inside your pizzeria, congratulations. Go on to reading...

The next two months usually are welcome periods for pizzeria operators, particularly those located next to high school and college campuses. As kids return to school in August and September, business invariably picks up. The Memorial Day to Labor Day...

Last week, I sat in a pizzeria in my tiny hometown, listening to the proprietor regale a small crowd with stories. The restaurant’s owner, a squat, balding man with a stubby cigar forever hanging out of his mouth, doesn’t look like a pers...

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 h...

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...

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 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. Th...