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home | No Dumb Questions
 

Chris Tripoli

Real-life questions from independent operators like you. When starting or growing a restaurant there are really no dumb questions.

These are just a sample of the No Dumb Question installments in Restaurant Startup & Growth magazine!

If you have a question you'd like addressed in "No Dumb Questions," please contact the author at alacartect@aol.com.

Food Cost Fluctuations
Food Cost Fluctuations Question: Why does my food cost fluctuate so much? I am always higher than industry standard. What should I be doing differently, if anything? . . . keep reading
Should I Hire Experienced-only Servers to Avoid Having to Train Wait Staff?
Should I Hire Experienced-only Servers to Avoid Having to Train Wait Staff? Question: I am opening a little Italian restaurant and plan to hire only experienced wait staff so I won't have to provide training. Shouldn't this work better? . . . keep reading
Retailing Your Products
Retailing Your Products Real-life questions from independent operators like you. When starting or growing a restaurant there are really no dumb questions. If you have a question you'd like addressed in "No Dumb Questions", please contact the author at alacartect@aol.com. . . . keep reading
Construction Budgeting
Construction Budgeting Real-life questions from independent operators like you. When starting or growing a restaurant there are really no dumb questions. If you have a question you'd like addressed in "No Dumb Questions", please contact the author at alacartect@aol.com. . . . keep reading
I have some success with wait staff contests and motivational pre shift meetings, but it doesn't seem to last. What else can I do to enhance "up selling"?
Chris Tripoli
I have some success with wait staff contests and motivational pre shift meetings, but it doesn't seem to last. What else can I do to enhance "up selling"? Those everyday pre-shift "alley rally's" and once in a while service staff contests are good and should continue because they create the awareness needed to build your guest per person spending average (PPA). In addition to those items, there are a few other measures I recommend for you to consider. . . . keep reading
I am considering installing a camera surveillance system, but do not want my staff to feel I have become "Big Brother" watching their every move.
I am considering installing a camera surveillance system, but do not want my staff to feel I have become "Big Brother" watching their every move. Answer: This has become a very common concern as we see more and more systems being installed. It is important that you remember two things: . . . keep reading
I am a new manager of a very established restaurant. I inherited a long term kitchen staff member who underperforms and creates trouble. How do I handle this situation?
I am a new manager of a very established restaurant. I inherited a long term kitchen staff member who underperforms and creates trouble. How do I handle this situation? Answer: A difficult situation with one employee can sometimes be a good opportunity to set the standard for all staff. First, try addressing the group with your expectations of the entire kitchen. Stress the importance of consistency and teamwork. Remember to be specific when you are listing the areas of responsibility and job duties. . . . keep reading
Am I in trouble for deducting the cost of uniforms, breakage and shortages from my staffs paychecks?
Am I in trouble for deducting the cost of uniforms, breakage and shortages from my staffs paychecks? Restaurant operators often wonder what costs, if any, they can legally pass on to their employees. For instance, can you deduct from your employee's paycheck the cost of his uniform or safety equipment? What about your bartender's cash drawer shortage? Can you require a waitress to reimburse you for the cost of a skipped check? How about charging the dishwasher for those plates he broke last week? . . . keep reading
Question: I am considering installing a camera surveillance system, but do not want my staff to feel I have become "Big Brother" watching their every move.
Question: I am considering installing a camera surveillance system, but do not want my staff to feel I have become "Big Brother" watching their every move. Answer: This has become a very common concern as we see more and more systems being installed. It is important that you remember two things: . . . keep reading
Question: I am a new manager of a very established restaurant. I inherited a long term kitchen staff member who underperforms and creates trouble. How do I handle this situation?
Question: I am a new manager of a very established restaurant. I inherited a long term kitchen staff member who underperforms and creates trouble. How do I handle this situation? Answer: A difficult situation with one employee can sometimes be a good opportunity to set the standard for all staff. First, try addressing the group with your expectations of the entire kitchen. Stress the importance of consistency and teamwork. Remember to be specific when you are listing the areas of responsibility and job duties. . . . keep reading
My wife and I cannot agree on a name for our restaurant. How important is the name anyway?
My wife and I cannot agree on a name for our restaurant. How important is the name anyway? It's pretty darn important. We like to say that the menu is the heartbeat of any restaurant, but it is the name that makes the first impression. Names paint a picture and help the guest develop their expectation. . . . keep reading
I am trying to save money on kitchen labor and am looking at cleaning companies to use. Does this really work?
I am trying to save money on kitchen labor and am looking at cleaning companies to use. Does this really work? It can, but not always. I have polled many clients and found that some are saving labor dollars by engaging a cleaning company, while others tried and found it actually cost more. The difference seems to be in the management of your hourly staff. For example, If two line cooks stay two hours each night to clean equipment, floors and walls you may be spending between $280-$300 per week on cleaning (more if these hours take them in overtime).

. . . keep reading

Help! I am trying to decide if I should open a second restaurant or save some money and do a mobile food truck.
Help! I am trying to decide if I should open a second restaurant or save some money and do a mobile food truck. Either can work well if done correctly. I would ask you to measure the advantages and disadvantages of both and compare them to what you have decided your personal goals and objectives are. . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- I Know About Building Permits, Health Permits and Occupancy Permits, But What Other Licenses or Permits Do I Need to Be Aware of In Order to Open?
Answer: The building permit you receive gives you permission to get started. It means your plans and specifications "as presented" have been approved. As the construction process nears completi . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- Is There a Formula I Can Follow to Determine the Amount of 'Cash Reserve' I Should Have in My Opening Budget?
Answer: An opening budget without a contingency amount and working capital reserve is not complete, and can lead to significant financial problems. I recommend having 10 percent of hard . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- What Do You Think is the Best Way to Handle a Guest Who is Dissatisfied With the Food He Received?
Answer: As much as we might not like it, dissatisfied guests are a part of our daily reality. I have had clients tell me that what they offer a dissatisfied guest depends upon how much the gue . . . keep reading
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Review some past installments of "What Our Readers are Building, Buying & Remodeling".

Check out a sample of our RestaurantOwner.com video series "Restaurants That Work".

What's Your Opinion of Legislation to Ban Smoking in Bars and Restaurants?

Reducing disease and death caused by smoking and secondhand smoke exposure is a major priority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC Foundation has launched an initiative to provide restaurant and bar owners with scientific and experiential information on the impact of smoke-free policies on the hospitality industry. The initiative is designed to increase restaurant and bar owners’ understanding of the benefits of smoke-free policies, and has targeted operators in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina and Texas via a video series on YouTube. Click here to watch the videos and then tell us what you think of these efforts? If you own a restaurant in one of the six above states, please take the short survey below.

What do you think of state-wide legislation to ban smoking in restaurants and bars?
I enthusiastically promote such legislation.
I don't object to it, but I don't promote it.
I am neutral on the subject
I am against it because it would hurt my business.
I am against it because it is gov't intrusion.
I am opposed to it. Period.

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  • In which areas of restaurant management and operations do you wish you possessed more competence and knowledge?
    Accounting and Finance
    Bar Management
    Culinary and Kitchen Management
    Employment and Labor Issues
    Marketing
    Menu Design and Engineering
    Purchasing and Inventory Management
    Technology in the Restaurant

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  • The NEW Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants IS HERE! -- The National Restaurant Association's Uniform System of Accounts is back in print. This latest edition contains many updates, changes and enhancements from previous editions. Order your copy today.

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