Make sure a remodel, big or small, is worth the investment Remodeling can be costly, and the improved look should be worth the expense. The challenge is that it is difficult to measure whether a renovation, from a coat of paint to a complete overhaul...

Patio seating offers some unique perks and challenges Al fresco dining is the centerpiece of the CiboDivino Marketplace in Dallas, and the frenetic pace of Friday and Saturday nights is nothing short of “crazy,” says owner Daniele Puleo. But it�...

Pizzeria operators talk about how to fix common grumbles Customer complaints tend to fall along some general categories. Here are five common complaints, and how operators handle them: • Why don’t you take reservations? Pizza is a casual meal, an...

Here’s how to score an award-winning pie Pizza Expo season is upon us once again, and that means my inbox will soon be filled with confused e-mails from pizza makers wondering why they didn’t take home the big prize at the International Pizza Cha...

Beer Dough — Hopping up your dough adds color and flavor For years I have experimented with beer in my dough. A pioneer in this style is a long-time friend from Canada, and amazing pizzaiolo, Diana Cline. Sometime around 2006 I met her at a show in...

Standing out in a strip mall takes consideration If you think the sign outside your pizzeria won’t make much of a difference in attracting customers, consider the success story of Greenville Avenue Pizza Company in Dallas, Texas. The pizzeria decid...

Waiting is never fun. It is especially difficult when it’s dinnertime, hunger has set in and the smell of deliciousness is in the air. When the 10-minute wait that the hostess promised has turned into 15 minutes, customers will start to get antsy a...

Don’t overlook importance of window marketing In the hospitality industry we often say, “People eat with their eyes.” Many pizzeria operators have learned to apply that to our menus, restaurant décor, open kitchens and more while enjoying the ...

Get in Line All strip malls are not created equal. Your business may be one of the “lucky” ones, if you’re adjacent to a strong anchor store. You can easily lure the anchor’s customers to your door, as aromas of baking pizza waft into the par...

Under Darkness It’s nearing 2 a.m. on 6th Street, Austin, Texas’ worthy attempt to mimic Bourbon Street. As a long line of packed bars make their last calls, revelers pounce onto the lively thoroughfare. Many wander into one of the two Roppolo’...

Server shadowing grooms fledgling servers through hands-on experience You’ve hired a new server and you’re anxious to get the newbie up to speed at your pizzeria. But, before you let rookie servers hit the floor on their own, shadowing –– whe...

Choosing the right fixtures is as important as choosing the amount of light   In restaurant lighting, ambiance is important, but it is not the only factor in choosing how to illuminate the dining room. The right light fixtures can make the eater...