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KEEP LEARNING. KEEP GROWING!

IN THE AUGUST 2010 ISSUE - The trick isn't keeping your restaurant from occasionally veering off into the weeds, because you won't be able to do it. The trick is getting back out of them again, during service..

By the time you've finished reading this article, you should be able to: •Identify four common and preventable causes of mealtime operational problems. •Describe two basic ways that restaurants manage to get off course during service. •Explain the importance of checking your inventory, your par levels, your equipment and the health and well-being of your staff.

For a Free Six-Month Subscription to Restaurant Startup & Growth, Click HERE.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS...
PRODUCTS -- Bonici® Chicken Breast Strips Offer Versatility and Flavor (July 2010)
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (July 2010)--Chicken is the fastest growing pizza protein topping in commercial foodservice.1 The Bonici ® pizza brand from Tyson Foo . . . keep reading
IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT -- Pulling the Plug on High Utility Bills: Ways to Control Energy Costs in Your Startup
In the restaurant business, you fight for every penny. Save a nickel here, and a dime there, and it can add up quickly, making the difference between . . . keep reading
IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT -- It's Good to be Green: How to Have an Environmentally Friendly Restaurant
Your top five New Year's resolutions for your startup restaurant this year might include cutting costs, improving staff morale and productivity, inc . . . keep reading
IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT -- Ten Ways to Go Green and Reduce Your Utility Costs
It's impossible to pick up any magazine or newspaper without reading about businesses going green. "Green" has come to mean a business practice that . . . keep reading
A La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group Announces Newest Consulting Associate (July 2010)
HOUSTON (July 23, 2010) Chris Tripoli, president of A La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Denver-based Ge . . . keep reading
Help a Cancer-stricken Chef Pay His Medical Bills
(RALEIGH, July 25, 2010) This appeared in the Raleigh News-Observer on July 25, 2010, written by contributor Andrea Weigl. I thought I'd pass it along . . . keep reading
Georgia Restaurant Asssociation to Hold Media Training Seminar
ATLANTA (July 22, 2010)--The Georgia Restaurant Association will host a "Media Training and Crisis Management" seminar on August 3 as a part of its In . . . keep reading
CRA to present an 'All-Star Lineup' at 2010 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
(SACRAMENTO, July 22, 2010) -- The California Restaurant Association is proud to announce its expanded presence at the 2010 Western Foodservice & Hosp . . . keep reading
New Dawn of Information Research: Social Media Alerts. Watch out Google.
Since introducing its social radar alerts, Infegy, the developer of Social Radar, stands to become the next Google for all things social media-related . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER -- Brick Oven, Topeka, Kansas: Constant Fine-Tuning May Be Required
While many operators experience only a slight drop in the number of guests, they can experience a dramatic drop in entrée sales. That hurts the . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER -- Little Mexico of Mattoon, Illinois: Making Do Without a Menu Matrix
Because this owner wasn't able to provide theoretical food cost or sales reports (he didn't have a POS [point-of-sale system] and no time to track the . . . keep reading
Win $1,000 in the A.1 Don't Make 'Em Wait Challenge. (July 2010)
GLENVIEW, IL (July 22, 2010) When operators put A.1. on their tables, they have a chance to win $1,000 in the A.1. Don't Make 'Em Wait Challenge. The . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD -- Easy Access to Dessert Tools from Kraft Foodservice (July 2010)
Now operators can make the most of dessert sales with the click of a button. Visit www.kraftfoodservice.com/desserts and get access to consumer insigh . . . keep reading
Featured Study in Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Examines Attitudes Toward "Green" Restaurants: Consumer Knowledge Increases Willingness to Patronize Sustainable Restaurants
Ithaca, NY, July 22, 2010 -- Restaurateurs need to inform customers of their sustainable restaurant practices both to strengthen menu prices and encou . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES -- Make Ethic Dishes with Borden Magnolia Sweetened Condensed and Evaporated Milk
ORRVILLE, Ohio (July 22, 2010)--Give ethnic dishes the authentic flavor patrons crave by using Borden Magnolia Sweetened Condensed and Evaporated Milk . . . keep reading
Oregon's Willamette Valley to Serve as Hub for "Northwest Sustainability Discovery Tour" Set for August 8-10: Responsible Food Choices and Associated Farming and Processing Practices are the Focus of Gathering of National Foodservice Professionals. (July 2010)
SALEM, OR -- July 21, 2010 -- Now, more than ever before, foodservice professionals are recognizing the critical alignment of people, the planet and t . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES -- Introducing UNCLE BEN'S® Flavored Brown Rice (July 2010)
RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif. (July 2010)-- With America's heightened desire to eat smart, UNCLE BEN'S® Flavored Brown Rice is a great way to make sure cus . . . keep reading
U.S. Government Puts Public Education for New $100 Note into High Gear: $100 Note Educational Video Series and Training Sessions Geared to Industry Cash-Handlers (July 2010)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2010) -- Today, the U.S. government released the first in a series of educational videos, amplifying public education effor . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER -- A Recession-Proof Menu: Minor Changes Can Boost Sales
Mark Laux
Cash is king. And in a down market, getting people in the door is more than half the battle. What's happening to most full-service restaurants is that . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER -- Above-Board Service: 2Pauls Restaurant of Lafayette, Louisiana
Mark Laux
Lately more than half the calls I get are from limited-service restaurants wanting help with their menu boards. I've developed, coached, cajoled, help . . . keep reading
RESTAURANT TRENDS -- More Consumers Dining Out, Research Says
More consumers are dining out these days, and want to increase their meals away from home, according to results from a study conducted by Market Force . . . keep reading
New Payment Processing Regulations to Affect Restaurants
Identity theft and credit card fraud have become growing concerns among restaurant operators. With easier access to online information, social securit . . . keep reading
National Restaurant Association Supports Financial Services Reform
The National Restaurant Association has urged Congress to pass the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173), which include several p . . . keep reading
RESTAURANT TRENDS -- ACSI report shows customer satisfaction with restaurants on the rise.
The restaurant and travel industries showed the most improvement in a survey of five different industries by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER -- The Price is (Not Quite) Right: Wubba's BBQ Shack , Klamath Falls, Oregon
Mark Laux
Klamath Falls, Oregon, is probably the last place you might think of for barbecue, and yet Aaron Web has one of the most successful barbecue concepts . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD & BEVERAGE -- ConAgra Lamb Weston Sweet Things® Sweet Potato Products
What is it? Three new Sweet Things® sweet potato varieties to capture the growing consumer demand for sweet potatoes. The Sweet Potato Seasoned . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES --Optimum Control/TracRite Restaurant and Bar Inventory Cost Tracking Software
What is it? Easy-to-use food and liquor inventory control software to help restaurateurs detail food and beverage costs and allow entry of purc . . . 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 ap . . . 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 prob . . . 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 . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- Is it Possible to Get a 'Product Exclusivity' Clause in My Lease?
Answer: Yes, it is possible but not as likely as you may think if your restaurant concept is a new startup. Landlords and real estate brokers w . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- We Continue to Add More Items to Our Menu in Hope of Creating Interest and Increasing Sales. Why Hasn't It Worked?
Answer: There may be many reasons for your restaurant's failure to increase sales during the recent economic slump most markets have been expe . . . keep reading
NO DUMB QUESTIONS -- How Will I Know How Many People I Should Hire for My New Restaurant Opening? How Long Should the Process Take?
Answer: The amount of staff members needed to open a restaurant can vary greatly depending upon the size of the restaurant, style of service . . . keep reading
The "Suite" Sound of Winning! Montague Fires the Imagination with an Intriguing New Design Challenge. (July 2010)
Designers….imagine the chance to partner with a chef/operator to design the most intriguing, most versatile Island Cooking Suite ever created. Now se . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD AND BEVERAGE -- Equal Goes Beyond Blue
Chicago, IL (July 16, 2010) -- Merisant Company is making life sweeter by introducing a national branded offering which includes the four leading zero . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES -- Vulcan Introduces New Heavy-duty Plancha Gas Range (July 2010)
July 16, 2010 - Leading commercial kitchen equipment provider Vulcan announced today the launch of its Heavy Duty Plancha Gas Range with benefits exce . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD -- Spice Up Breakfast Menus with RoastWorks Southwest Blend (July 2010)
BOISE, Idaho (July 15, 2010) -- J.R. Simplot Co.'s new RoastWorks(r) brand Southwest Blend frozen-roasted vegetables delivers robust flavor and versat . . . keep reading
May 2010 New Restaurant Units by State (July 2010)
You're Not Alone: The restaurant business is dynamic and forever changing. As a startup restaurateur you are part of a growth business, which is d . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD -- Pierce Chicken Launches New Foodservice Brand Positioning (July 2010)
July 15, 2010 -- Greeley, Colo. -- Pierce Chicken, a leading chicken provider to the foodservice industry, has rolled out a new brand positioning. The . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD -- Tyson® Deli Slices™ Meats from Tyson Food Service (July 2010)
SPRINGDALE, Ark. --Sandwiches continue to grow in popularity on menus--in the third quarter of 2009, more than 5,000 sandwiches were menued, with fami . . . keep reading
CHEF TRAINING -- Biscuits, Cornbread, Muffins and Cream Puffs: Easy Baked Goods You Can Produce in Your Kitchen
One way to set your restaurant apart from the competition is to serve your guests freshly baked goods made from scratch. This is something that any cu . . . keep reading
RESTAURANT GROWTH CASE STUDY -- A Flexible Approach: Chef Eddie's Magnolia Café, Apalachicola Florida
In two decades of doing business on Florida's Gulf Coast, including riding out hurricanes and economic roller coasters, Eddie Cass has learned one thi . . . keep reading
New BiscuitFest™ promotion from General Mills Foodservice Helps Restaurants Celebrate National Biscuit Month. (July 2010)
MINNEAPOLIS (July 13, 2010) -- Restaurants can celebrate national biscuit month this September by bringing the excitement of country music and the CMA . . . keep reading
RATIONAL SelfCooking Center® provides safety and efficiency for foodservice operators (July 2010)
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - July 13, 2010 - Hot ovens, wet floors and cramped spaces are common safety hazards in hectic, foodservice kitchens. Kitchen operato . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/EQUIPMENT: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Introduces new PROSAVE™ Food Box System Featuring Dual Action Food Box Lid That Saves Time While Enhancing Food Quality
Winchester, VA -- Rubbermaid Commercial Products, the leader in innovative safety and productivity solutions for the foodservice industry, recently in . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/FOOD & BEVERAGE: Uncle Ben's® Ready-to-Use Sauces
What is it? Prepackaged, shelf-stable, ready-to-use sauces, including balsamic and caramelized onion, mango chipotle, roasted garlic peppercorn, sweet . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/EQUIPMENT: Vitamix 'The Quiet One'™ Blender
What is It: A powerful, premium blender, The Quiet One provides unparalleled sound reduction, exceptional blends for a consistently superior product a . . . keep reading
PRODUCTS & SERVICES/EQUIPMENT: Vulcan Restaurant Series Countertop Line-up
What is it? Griddles, charbroiler, and hotplate designed to meet the needs of professional chefs. Manufactured with stainless steel for added durabili . . . keep reading
Sam's Club to offer SBA loans (Phoenix Business Journal, July 7, 2010)
Read the article at: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/07/05/daily25.html . . . keep reading
The American Culinary Federation Recognizes The J.M. Smucker Company with the ACF Seal of Approval (July 2010)
ORRVILLE, Ohio (July 8, 2010)--The American Culinary Federation (ACF) recognizes the superior quality of The J.M. Smucker Company's Crisco Professiona . . . keep reading
IBISWorld offers detailed business and economic outlook report on single location full-service restaurants in the U.S. (July 2010)
This is a detailed report on the restaurant sector that includes single location, independent or family-operated restaurants that are primarily engage . . . keep reading
Master-Bilt Announces New Two-Year Parts and Labor Warranty (July 2010)
NEW ALBANY, MS - Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of premier commercial refrigeration systems for over 70 years, is proud to unveil its new tw . . . keep reading
CHEF TRAINING - The Classic Sauces: How to Create and Incorporate Into Your Menu Demi-Glace, Veloute and Bechamel
Chef Joe Abuso
The "classic sauces" became classics for good reason. They bring out hidden flavors and nuances of the foods they are served with, have a beautiful te . . . keep reading
MENU MAKEOVER - An American Original Revisited: Mel's of California and Nevada
Mark Laux
Do you remember the movie "American Graffiti"? Mel's is an emerging California and Nevada chain that invokes all the fun and nostalgia of the '60s. Me . . . keep reading
Sandwiches and burgers prove resilient among industry segments. (July 2010)
Sandwiches and burgers were the only broad food category to post growth at both quick-service restaurants and full-service restaurants last year, acco . . . keep reading
Restaurants scale back on deals. (July 2010)
Many restaurants have offered a slew of deals, discounts and coupons over the past two years to entice recession-ridden consumers to visit. But with s . . . keep reading
Family-style eateries continue upward growth. (July 2010)
Family-style restaurants are well-positioned in this economy, offering reasonable prices, diversity in menu items and day part service, and a family-f . . . keep reading
Family-style eateries continue upward growth. (July 2010)
Family-style restaurants are well-positioned in this economy, offering reasonable prices, diversity in menu items and day part service, and a family-f . . . keep reading
U.S. restaurant traffic declines ease in first quarter, reports NPD. (July 2010)
Although restaurant traffic declined for the seventh consecutive quarter in the first quarter of 2010, it was by far not the steepest decline in past . . . keep reading
Technomic forecasts modest improvement for the foodservice industry. (July 2010)
Research firm Technomic revised its 2010 U.S. foodservice industry outlook, which originally included a decline of 1.6 percent in growth, to include p . . . keep reading
Restaurant Industry outlook remained positive. (July 2010)
The outlook for the restaurant industry has remained positive, according to the National Restaurant Association's most recently recorded Restaurant Pe . . . keep reading
2010 Carlisle FoodService products catalog online and in print. (July 2010)
June 30, 2010, Oklahoma City, OK--With over 60,000 products designed to get the job done right, the Carlisle FoodService Products catalog will definit . . . keep reading
Advanced hydrogen fuel cell power solutions highlighted at inauguration of new Sysco Houston warehouse. (July 2010)
HOUSTON, June 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 100 business leaders and government representatives today attended the official ribbon cutting . . . keep reading
Truitt Bros. offers Food Alliance-Certified foods. (July 2010)
Truitt Bros. is proud to pioneer sustainably processed foods for the foodservice and grocery sectors--offering a range of third party-certified sustai . . . keep reading
ReadyPing Releases Video from the 2010 National Restaurant Association Show. (July 2010)
The 2010 National Restaurant Association Show wrapped up several weeks ago. As follow-up efforts from the show begin to wind down, ReadyPing wants to . . . keep reading
A Case for Kids from FRENCH'S® Foodservice; Benefiting American Culinary Federation's Chef & Child Foundation.(July 2010)
PARSIPPANY, NJ (June 25, 2010)--FRENCH'S® Foodservice announces A Case for Kids, a rewards promotion benefiting the American Culinary Federation's (AC . . . keep reading
FoodCALC invites restaurateurs to learn how nutrition analysis will change their business for the better, and how to get started. (July 2010)
Most restaurant operators get into this industry because they love good food and sharing it with others. Now, with the recent passage of the national . . . keep reading
Tough negotiation and price bidding may not get you the lowest prices. (July 2010)
Restaurant Owner.com, the Web site of RS&G, offers a free weekly "Restaurant Profit Tip" to restaurant owners -- no strings attached. To subscribe, vi . . . keep reading
Opening on Sundays. (July 2010)
On RestaurantOwner.com's members-only discussion forum, one veteran restaurant owner who recently expanded to a second location posted uncertainties a . . . keep reading
Celebrity chefs offer revenue-boosting advantages, challenges, too. (July 2010)
To recruit or develop a celebrity chef or not? That is the question sought out by some bourgeoning restaurateurs in big cities where recruiting a big- . . . keep reading
New sources for recruiting new talent. (July 2010)
Restaurants looking to recruit from the best when it comes to culinary schools can now look into Johnson & Wales's, which recently unveiled its new Ce . . . keep reading
Senate defends child nutrition issues, demands for healthy kid's menus increase. (July 2010)
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry extended the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, a piece of legislation that determines sch . . . keep reading
New Jersey Restaurant Association task force studies liquor license issues. (July 2010)
The New Jersey Restaurant Association launched an initiative to conduct a review of Title 33 and other liquor licensing matters in the state as more r . . . keep reading
Radiant Systems' Sprint for Cancer Races raise more than $135,000. (July 2010)
Atlanta-based Radiant Systems, Inc., a global provider of POS and other technology for the hospitality and retail industries announced that the three . . . keep reading
Oil spill threatens oysters, other seafood supplies and prices. (July 2010)
Oyster prices have risen by as much as 40 percent as a result of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to published reports, and prices are e . . . keep reading
More wannabe restaurateurs going mobile and "underground". (July 2010)
Increasing numbers of cooks, chefs, even celebrity chefs are taking their concepts to the streets in the form of mobile food trucks. The recipe for su . . . keep reading
Restaurant association teams up with health care company to insure workers. (July 2010)
The National Restaurant Association teamed up with UnitedHealthcare to launch the Restaurant Health Care Alliance (www.restauranthealthcare.org), a pr . . . keep reading
More restaurants investing in new technologies to support patrons. (July 2010)
Some companies now offer credit card readers that can attach to cell phones for cash-free transactions In some cases, users can "bump" their cell phon . . . keep reading
Dinner and a movie popular at theatres nationwide. (July 2010)
In yet another creative way to lure diners back into restaurants and eateries, a number of restaurateurs are partnering with movie theatres to open up . . . keep reading
BONUS CONTENT - Why Do Restaurants Fail?
By Howard Riell
In the inaugural issue of Restaurant Startup & Growth magazine in February 2004, we challenged the 90% first-year restaurant failure rate th . . . keep reading
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