The new FDA rules that were released this month are going to mandate that manufacturers take more responsibility for their facilities. Here are the points that I found most interesting: Tainted foods — including recent examples such as spinach, cantaloupe and ice cream — sicken 1 in 6 Americans — or 48 million people — …
Restaurant Industry
Is Tipping Near Extinction?
I’ve noticed a ton of press recently about restaurants going moving to an all inclusive menu or no tipping policy. Back in February we posted a blog, Time to End Tips?, on the topic and it got heated to say the least in the comments and on our social media channels. Click here to read that …
Same Store Sales Increase in August
Driven by Fast Casual, the restaurant industry posted strong same store sales in August according to the Black Box Intelligence report. Here are some of the stats from the Nation’s Restaurant News article: 1.7% increase in same store sales in August YTD same store sales up 2.2% The industry can post it’s 5th straight quarter of …
What is the Salsa Packet Item in Your Operations?
This is a picture of a pile of Mild Taco Bell Salsa packets. These are what is left after my wife and I used a few on our tacos for dinner last night. I know how to treat my lady. Do you want to guess how many packets are in this pile? 47 That is …
What is accountability in restaurant operations?
We’re always talking about “driving accountability” and “holding our managers accountable”, but what does that mean? For a multi-unit operator accountability can make or break your business.You need to know that policies and procedures that you have put into place and trained your staff to perform are actually getting done every shift. You …
Predictive analytics helps Chicago prioritize restaurant inspections
Found a really cool article on how the city of Chicago teamed up with the Civic Consulting Alliance and researchers from Allstate Insurance’s Quantitative Research & Analytics Department to put together a predictive model using 311 calls, previous inspections, permits, and other data points to identify high risk restaurants. Here is what I found most …
Restaurant Performance Index – July 2015
The restaurant industry posted it’s gain in RPI in 3 months in July at 102.7. This was the 29th consecutive month that the index stood above 100. The Current Situation Index saw the largest gain since December 2014 posting a 103.7. This marks the 17th consecutive month above 100 signaling expansion in the market. July …
Restaurant Delivery Services
I came across two articles today discussing restaurant delivery services, specifically in Seattle. One on Geek Wire and the other on The Stranger. Both of them were very different in the story they were telling which was interesting. The Stranger talks about how Postmates is reeking havoc on the restaurant industry. Mainly causing “resentment” between …
The challenge with growing operations
There has been a lot of great press this year about the restaurant industry’s economic impact from the number of employees to the estimated $709 billion in revenue in 2015. Growing your operations is a great accomplishment. You have succeeded and now it’s time to grow and expand. All you have to do …
Staffing Challenges in North Jersey
An article over the weekend in The Record interviews a few folks in the restaurant industry in norther New Jersey about some of the challenges they are facing around finding and keeping employees. It’s not just isolated to one specific function, but all employees in all departments that are becoming increasingly more difficult to staff. …