Several years ago, my wife and I were in a restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. We had heard that the place had really good pizza, so we decided to try it. As it happened, I was sitting where I had a birds-eye view of the oven — a wood-burning oven. ...

By nature, humans resist change. We’re comfortable with what we know and often rally against new applications and procedures, particularly when it comes to technology’s rapid pace. Operators introducing a new POS system frequently confron...

Many pizzeria operators view accountants as scorekeepers who produce reports that document results. That’s too bad, because good accountants can become proactive partners. They can help you plan for more optimal year-end results and assist you ...

Let’s say you’re on the short list for a promotion with your company. A big promotion. If you get it you’ll take on far more responsibility and you definitely feel up to the challenge. But the salary attached to the job is a little ...

My favorite restaurant is quickly becoming “my old haunt.” That’s right, I’ve just about stopped going there. At least with any real frequency, that is. I used to try to stop in once a week to chat with the owner over a bowl o...

Operations Management Reaffirm No Cell Phone Policy I have a no cell phone policy but still have a struggle with a few staff members texting and checking text messages. How can I get control over the situation? By Jeff Freehof I see so many employers...

A photo of a recently deceased friend was posted on a social network. As people commented several words kept reoccurring; beautiful, con­fident, intelligent. That photo was powerful; it evoked memories and emotions. Though we view things in varying ...

Here’s how you can grab your slice of the talent pool. Reputation matters. It’s critical that you hire right the first time; your reputation depends on it. Can teenagers (your future workforce) hear you yelling on the street at a bad hire? Are fo...

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 techniques and let your passion for food shine through. I’m sure you’ve heard it ...

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 defer...

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 ...

Every March, you can count on two things: hordes of college students flocking to the beach for Spring Break and sports fans tuning in to the college basketball playoffs. March Madness has gotten so big that even those who aren’t inclined to fol...