Category Archives: Linked Articles

Craft brewers toast another year of growth | SmartBlogs

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Here’s another great article linked below reinforcing the need for you as restaurant owners and food service professionals to take a look in your local market to see what farmers and other local companies you can incorporate into your business. Locally sourced food is no longer a “trend”, it is a full fledged “consumer demand”. It’s only a matter if time before it becomes an expectation for your business.

Craft brewers toast another year of growth | SmartBlogs

For ideas on how to utilize local foods in your menu, visit www.bodellconsulting.com and contact us.

Positive outlook for restaurants in 2012, or is it?

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Here’s an article from Nation’s Restaurant News about sales predictions for 2012. According to the study, everything is looking rosy. The question to you is, “Since this study only contains data from the Top 500 largest chains, does this study suggest restaurant sales overall are going up 3.4%, or does it suggest that independent restaurant competition is weakening for the chains and they are taking a larger marketshare of the consumers budget?”

Since this report also recognizes that most the previous and expected gains have been in quick service restaurants, it suggests that consumers are still being careful with their dining dollar, looking for value in quick casual restaurants instead of full service restaurants. Time will only tell what the real deal is. I tend to trust studies that include a large sampling of independent restaurants. They are a better indicator of the overall market and health of the industry in my opinion.

Restaurant sales rose 3.4% in 2011 | Nation’s Restaurant News.

To help organize your restaurant systems so you can compete with the chains, visit www.bodellconsulting.com.

Good news for restaurants serving breakfast!

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Breakfast study

Here’s an article from Nation’s Restaurant News about a recently released study examining breakfast habits.

Consumers’ changing breakfast habits favor restaurants | Nation’s Restaurant News.

For assistance putting together a great, manageable menu for your restaurant, visit www.bodellconsulting.com.

45 (B) Tax Credit for Restaurants – Do you qualify?

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IRS logoRestaurant owners may be able to take advantage of a tax credit on the taxes they pay on employee tip income this year. The following article discusses the qualifications for taking the credit.




Simply put, to qualify:

  • You must be profitable and owe taxes
  • You may not deduct the the same taxes as a business expense
  • You may not use the Alternative Minimum Tax

Check out the following post from the National Restaurant Association’s website to find out more details and for a link to download the necessary forms to file for this credit.

45(B) tax credit helps restaurants reduce taxes

For help getting your restaurant profitable so you can take advantage of this tax credit, visit www.bodellconsulting.com or call (888) 571-9068.

Great new Food Network show | Restaurant Stakeout

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Restaurant StakeoutThere is a great new show on the Food Network you need to check out if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s called Restaurant Stakeout. Instead of being just another show with a restaurant consultant telling people their food sucks and their menu is too big, Willie Degel’s show is an original and really interesting to watch.

During the course of this show, a consultant sets up multiple hidden cameras throughout a restaurant to observe the restaurant while no one knows he is watching. After finding numerous problems that are costing the owner money, he invites the owner to watch the footage with him. The owner is appalled at what really goes on in their restaurant when they aren’t there and the consultant beats them up over how much money they are losing. By the end of the show, the consultant is making recommendations to the restaurant owner which, by this point, seem like no brainers.

Besides the fact this show is much more original than any restaurant improvement show anywhere on television, this show is a great eye opener for restaurant owners. You never know what is going on in your restaurant when you aren’t there unless you have surveillance, or truly responsible leaders in the restaurant at all times.

Check out the TV show website here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurant-stakeout/index.html

You can get a free 30-minute telephone consultation with Brandon O’Dell from O’Dell Restaurant Consulting to see if there are improvements that can be made in your own restaurant too.
Call (888) 571-9068 to set up a time.
www.bodellconsulting.com

How digital menu boards help drive restaurant sales | Nation’s Restaurant News

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Digital menu board

Digital menu boards seem like they should be the natural evolution for quick service restaurants. They would lower the cost of making frequent price increases, increasing cashflow, and allow menu redesigns to happen much faster. Not to mention, they just look “cool” compared to static menu boards.

Is your restaurant currently using digital menu boards, or have you considered it? Take a look at the following article from Nation’s Restaurant News.

How digital menu boards help drive restaurant sales | Nation’s Restaurant News.

View our services at www.bodellconsulting.com.

Free server sales training video

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Here’s a free server sales training video from US Foods. It’s pretty good, and under 10 minutes, which I think is important. Word of warning though, it does contain a pitch for their HotOperator menu design service. The video does talk about great menu design tactics though which we also incorporate into the designs we do for restaurants.

“Next Great Restaurant” New York location closed after 1 month

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This story just goes to show that great food and a great concept just aren’t enough in the restaurant business. Even the best idea can fail without proper management and marketing. Check out the story here….

New study says creating emotional ties with consumers is a successful strategy | RetailCustomerExperience.com

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New study says creating emotional ties with consumers is a successful strategy | RetailCustomerExperience.com.