Breakfast is the fastest-growing meal of the day! In fact, breakfast visits increased 4% for the year ending in May 2015, according to NPD, while lunch and dinner visits were flat. Despite that, Technomic data indicate that it’s also the most skipped meal, due to consumer issues of time, desire for lighter options and affordability. Addressing those concerns and doing it better than the competition means more opportunity to build sales and satisfy patrons.
Five Ways to Boost Summer Foodservice Sales
June 7, 2018Longer days and warmer weather can mean new sales opportunities. After months of cold weather, people are eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. From al fresco dining to special summer menus, here are five ways you can take advantage of the changing season and drive sales this summer.
Episode 42 – It Pays to Have Well Trained Servers, Memorial Day Facts & New Products
May 25, 2018In this week’s episode we’re talking about how well-trained servers can help your business grow, things to know about Memorial Day and this week’s new inventory additions…
Ten Easy Ways Waitstaff Can Add $10 to Every Check
May 24, 2018Adding $10 to the check can put another $3 or more of profit in your register—and when you multiply that by all the tables served during a shift, it can add up! Here are 10 different ways to add $10 to every check….
5 Ways to Improve Your Restaurant’s Curb Appeal
May 16, 2018The curb appeal of any business is often the first impression that people have when driving or walking by. In a sense, your exterior serves as a 24/7 surrogate billboard that conveys many messages. And that’s where the process of enhancing your message should begin: What do you want people to think, feel, and expect when they see your establishment from the outside?
Top Restaurant Industry Trends to Watch in 2018
May 14, 2018Despite industry wide growth for several years, restaurant operators face significant challenges keeping pace in an environment that is changing at a much faster rate than ever before. Evolving consumer tastes and preferences, work force constraints and intense competition will continue in 2018…
Episode 41 – BBQ Season & Google My Business
April 23, 2018In this episode there’s info about our inventory additions for the week, Google advice to grow your business, and we’ve got BBQ on the brain! Joining us for our discussion on how you can use Google to help grow traffic to your restaurant we’ve got a special guest, foodservice operator and social media guru, Katrina Petersen. National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day was April 20th. For this week’s foodie fact, we’re asking – When was Pineapple Upside-Down cake first popularized in American culture? The answer at the end of the podcast…
Episode 40 – Tips for Outdoor Dining Spaces
April 6, 2018Get your outdoor dining space ready for hungry patrons looking to take advantage of al fresco dining opportunities. In this week’s episode we’ve got tips to help keep your outdoor dining space pest free, an update on our 2018 food show, this week’s new products and foodie headlines.
Episode 39 – A Simple Equation to Maximize Success
March 24, 2018In this week’s episode we’re talking about the “who, what, why and how” important to success. Plus, we’ve got this week’s new products and there’s lobster news in the literary world. What is the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy? Bonus points for how many of them are sold during the Easter season. The answer in this week’s episode!
Episode 36 – New Products, C-Store News & Wisdom from a Toilet Paper Salesman
December 2, 2017In this week’s episode we’ve 13 new products, a report about c-store predictions for the future and sound advice from a toilet paper salesman. We’ve also got a decades old international Foodie Fact to stump you with, and our new Dessert of the month page is mentioned. Featuring seasonally inspired items in limited quantities.
Episode 35 – Happy Thanksgiving!
November 21, 2017This week we’re going unscripted with a reminder about new products, our foodie fact for the week and new developments in “local” social media exposure from Facebook. And a special guest with extensive small business, foodservice experience, joins the podcast to talk about tactics for driving sales during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
Episode 34 – Brainy Blueberries, Independent Coffee & 2018 Restaurant Trends
November 3, 2017Restaurant Business Online just published an article that discusses what restaurants can expect to see as influences in 2018. We’re going to discuss some of the insights they’ve shared, and we’ve provided a link to the full article. We’re also taking a look at a couple items making headlines recently, wild Maine blueberries and everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage – coffee! We’ve got those topics and a slew of recent inventory additions to share with you in this week’s podcast!
7 Tactics for Restaurant Holiday Marketing
November 1, 2017With all the stress that comes during the holidays, customers will be looking for a place to get a great meal that they won’t have to cook for themselves. Here are 7 tactics to try when marketing for your business this holiday season.
Episode 33 – Inside the Mind of the Independent Restaurant Operator
October 13, 2017This weeks the IFDA released an in-depth 194 page report, prepared by industry research partner Technomic, about independent restaurant operators. It details market trends, challenges, economic outlooks, changing formats and a whole lot more. We’re sharing just a few of the many insights from it in this episode. We’ve also got this week’s new products, including a new fresh soup from Blount Fine Foods, which you won’t want to miss!
5 Lessons Millennials Taught Foodservice Marketers
October 11, 2017What is the big whoop about Millennials? Well, they are the largest generation in America for starters…
Are Your Restaurant’s Checklists Up to the Task?
October 11, 2017The business of running a restaurant can be fun and even frazzled sometimes. Establishing clear processes, like checklists, help keep restaurant operations running and profitable.
Episode 32 – C-Store Foodservice, Food News and New Products!
October 5, 2017When it comes to food from “c-stores” – even with convenience foodservice sales exceeding $34 billion dollars a year – negative consumer perceptions still exist around the category. Recent research has shown that there is plenty of room for continued innovation when it comes to foodservice in c-stores, and that putting quality first in certain areas can have a positive impact on food sales.
Episode 31 – Fall Kitchen Prep and a Wrap Rap
September 29, 2017Foodservice operators take tremendous pride in their kitchens and equipment. Now that we’re through the hectic pace of the summer season now is a good time to clean equipment and ensure everything is in proper working order. And, if you’re looking for some fall-food inspiration we’ve assembled a list on our website featuring some of our favorite fall items. There’s even a section dedicated to all things pumpkin, with over a dozen different pumpkin related products.
Social Media Becomes #1 Form of Restaurant Marketing
August 1, 2017It’s official, social media has eclipsed traditional advertising to become the most commonly used form of marketing for restaurants.
Globally Inspired Barbecue Offers On-Trend Opportunity
July 5, 2017From Texas to the Carolinas, and Memphis to St. Louis, there’s no denying Americans’ love of barbecue. Today the definition of barbecue is expanding as ethnic cuisine takes center stage…
Easy Ways to Boost Customer Traffic
July 5, 2017While good food, attentive service, value and convenience will always be important today’s consumer is looking for more than just quality food and service…
3 Ways to Get More from Your Menu
July 5, 2017An effective menu can be one of your strongest marketing tools. Here are three factors that can help take your menu to the next level.
Simple Tips for a DIY Photoshoot
July 5, 2017When potential customers see your food online, on a sign or in a menu the quality of the photography makes a huge difference in whether or not they choose your establishment.
Episode 20 – Seasonal Business Tips and Fresh Lobster Meat with Two Special Guests
June 29, 2017In this unique episode of Dennis Knows Food we’re heading to the coast of Maine to talk business strategies and fresh lobster meat with a couple of special guests – a Dennis Account Executive and a seasonal businesses operator with saltwater in his veins!
Domino’s Pizza Turnaround Case Study
June 26, 2017Domino’s Pizza has managed to pull off a huge turnaround; in part by listening and responding to their customers in a uniquely-honest PR advertising blitz. Now they are opening hundreds of new locations and profits are soaring…