10/2018

Consumers’ changing opinions about food transparency and animal welfare are driving changes in the restaurant industry, and cage-free eggs are topping the list of concerns for many.

With seasonal changes typically comes a change in customer base and demand! The most successful businesses - including restaurants - tend to hone in on these seasonal variations, changing up their menu, decor, and advertising tactics to bring in the most profit during each season.

Over the past 40 years, the number of food-service operations have significantly increased from about 155,000 to about 960,000, so it only makes sense that people would aspire to start their own restaurants. Unfortunately, many restaurants fail during their first year of operation, due to a lack of thorough planning and necessary organization. Luckily, with the appropriate advice and assistance, this does not have to be the case for you. Here is a guide to help you start your own restaurant.

Trends are what drive menu options and restaurant marketing techniques, ensuring that restaurants keep up with the ever-changing consumer. Leaders in the industry will tell you that, indeed, adding a little adventure can pay off for your restaurant.

Astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere begins in just a few weeks on September 23, and many are already prepping their menus and their inventories to cater to fall flavor demands. While many may simply think that a fall menu means adding a little extra pumpkin, cinnamon, or nutmeg spice to each and every item, the fact of the matter is that those who take the time to truly commit to a revamped menu will likely also feel the boost in profits that is sure to follow.

While many restaurants are making the switch to composting and other types of food waste disposal, the fact of the matter is that traditional garbage disposals are still likely here to stay in order to keep sinks free of large pieces of food waste that may sink to the bottom and make their way into the plumbing systems.

Refrigerated prep tables are pivotal for many restaurant kitchens, giving employees the ability to utilize the benefits of a refrigerated area and a prep area in one. To extend the life of your refrigerated prep table as well as ensure a safe work environment, regular maintenance is the key.

The fall season is in full swing as restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops introduce a multitude of spiced favorites to their menus. Many foodservice establishments tend to focus on revamping their beverage and dessert menus for the season, but their traditional menus stay mostly unchanged. Now’s the time to add a little flavor to your appetizer menu with these appetizer ideas for fall!

From choosing their meals, to ordering their food, to paying their bill, people all over the world have begun using various forms of technology to improve their experiences with different food services. With all different types of technology on the rise, it is no wonder that restaurants are finding it to be a good idea to incorporate various technological ideas into their establishments.

While regular maintenance can help extend the life of your beverage dispenser, the fact of the matter is that everything, in due time, will wear and tear and become either too costly to repair or too outdated to fit in with your evolving commercial kitchen. Here are some signs that could signify that it’s time to replace your beverage dispenser.

A well-designed restaurant, flavorful menu, and friendly service are certainly aspects to restaurant management that can earn you more business. While these necessities can certainly help you retain your loyal customers, you’ll still need more than a simple word-of-mouth from your current clientele to ensure that your restaurant stays profitable.

What once was a source of necessity, food has now evolved to becoming much more. Indeed, we take pride in our meals (as one can clearly see with Instagram photos of their soon-to-be-consumed items), and people are willing to pay top dollar for a meal that ‘tells a story’ (cage-free eggs, free-range chicken, etc).

The fall season is upon us, and while the weather may still be warm, restaurants are already planning their fall  menus. In fact, fall is one of the most specialized seasons in terms of flavors that can draw crowds. The jokes about ‘pumpkin flavored everything’ have a well-rooted base in truth, and those who forego fall flavors in their menus are also missing out on a huge chunk of seasonal profits. The flavors of fall are ever evolving, and this year we may see more of the savory and less of the sweet.

Dairy, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat: Does your restaurant include in part or in whole any of these items?  

Whether you’re opening a new commercial kitchen or renovating your existing restaurant space, starting with a well-stocked list of commercial kitchen equipment is essential to starting on the right foot! 

Marketing is what drives sales in your restaurant, and your menu is the best marketing tool for customers who are inside your establishment.

Some commercial kitchens use color-coded cutting boards, utensils, and containers for different items. You may want to adopt this practice as well to keep staff from accidentally using the same tools for different food items. The sanitation team also plays a huge part in preventing contamination since clean and sanitized surfaces are important to keep different types of food from coming in contact with one another.