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Operations
HVAC: The Heat is On
Proactive HVAC maintenance helps ward off bigger, more costly problems Though food remains king in the restaurant industry, environment isn’t far behind. For any restaurant, a clean and comfortable establishment is central to pleasing guests and dr...
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Operations
4 questions to ask an HVAC service provider
Given that commercial –– and certainly pizzeria –– HVAC units face unique demands compared to residential HVAC systems, it’s important operators find a service provider with the relevant experience and knowledge to address a restaurant’s ...
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Wi-Fi, at Your Service
Do you need to offer Internet to your guests? With Sacramento and San Francisco as home to HOT ITALIAN’s three locations, it’s fair to say the pizzerias are ensconced in California’s cutting-edge technological landscape. Everything about this p...
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Man on the Street: Prevent Customer Complaints
If not for Tom and Christian, my first job waiting tables at a suburban New Jersey chain restaurant would have been absolute Hell. My managers swooped in like angels, saving my soul whenever I made a mistake. They protected me when I made errors and ...
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Small Spaces, Big Profits
Don’t let tight quarters deter your sales Charm meets functionality at Nomad’s Pizza in Hopewell, New Jersey. This 600-square-foot historic carriage house has been transformed into a cozy European-style eatery. And despite its size, it’s packin...
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Liability: Is a Bullseye on Your Back?
Safeguard your pizzeria against liability issues It’s not just your pizza that’s hot. Your business itself is a hot zone for liability. Every time someone enters or exits your premises, whether an employee or customer, you’re open to lawsuits. ...
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Remarkable Remodels
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...
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Dining Out
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�...
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Top Five Customer Complaints
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...
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Man on the Street: Judge Dread
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...
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Respecting the Craft: Brewed to Perfection
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...
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Operations
Exterior Signage: What’s your Sign?
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...