Month: November 2019

Getting Restaurant Staff Prepared for a Busy Holiday Period

 

Getting Restaurant Staff Prepared for a Busy Holiday Period

Boost efficiency, manage inventory, and ensure seamless operations during peak season.

 

Introduction

The holiday season is the busiest time for restaurants, bringing both opportunities and challenges. With an influx of customers, restaurants must prepare their staff, stock, and ordering systems in advance. This guide offers essential tips to ensure a smooth and profitable holiday period.

1. Train Staff to Be Assertive, Not Pushy

Customers expect fast service, but they also want a pleasant experience. Encourage staff to:

  • Politely guide customers through ordering quickly.
  • Explain specials as customers sit down to speed up decision-making.
  • Use visual displays to tempt customers into ordering quicker.

2. Optimize Your Ordering System

Consider implementing online or mobile ordering to streamline the process. Benefits include:

  • Reduced errors from misheard phone orders.
  • Automated tracking for seamless operations.
  • Higher efficiency in handling takeout and delivery orders.

Advertise online ordering through social media, in-store posters, and email marketing campaigns.

3. Stock Up on Essential Ingredients

Running out of key ingredients during the holiday rush can hurt business. Prepare by:

  • Analyzing past holiday sales data to predict demand.
  • Ordering extra supplies for best-selling dishes.
  • Stocking up on non-perishable items to avoid shortages.

4. Promote Early Catering Orders

If your restaurant offers catering, encourage early bookings by:

  • Providing discounts for early orders (e.g., 10% off if booked three weeks in advance).
  • Advertising catering services through social media and email marketing.
  • Ensuring clear and organized scheduling to avoid last-minute stress.

5. Assess Staffing Needs

With increased customer traffic, you may need additional seasonal staff. Ensure efficiency by:

  • Hiring extra hands early to allow for proper training.
  • Scheduling shifts strategically to prevent burnout.
  • Encouraging teamwork and keeping staff morale high.

Conclusion

Preparing for the holiday rush requires planning, organization, and strong leadership. By optimizing reservations, training staff, managing inventory, and encouraging early catering orders, your restaurant can thrive during this busy season. Keep your team motivated, stay ahead of demand, and ensure a seamless dining experience for all customers.

 

© 2019 Cameo. All rights reserved.

 

How to Keep Your Best Team Members at a Restaurant

 

How to Keep Your Best Team Members at a Restaurant

Reduce staff turnover and build a loyal team with these proven strategies.

 

Introduction

In the restaurant industry, high employee turnover is common, costing businesses thousands in hiring and training new staff. With a turnover rate exceeding 100%, it is crucial to implement strategies to retain your best team members. Here are four essential tips to reduce turnover and maintain a strong, committed workforce.

1. Hire Carefully

The hiring process is critical in determining employee retention. To ensure long-term commitment:

  • Look for candidates with a history of loyalty rather than frequent job changes.
  • During interviews, assess their long-term career goals and willingness to grow with your restaurant.
  • Advertise job roles accurately to attract the right talent.

Understanding a candidate’s background and expectations before hiring prevents dissatisfaction and early departures.

2. Schedule Carefully

Employee satisfaction is closely linked to work-life balance. To improve scheduling:

  • Accommodate employee requests whenever possible to foster a positive work environment.
  • Use scheduling software to create efficient and fair shifts.
  • Communicate schedule changes well in advance to avoid last-minute frustrations.

3. Handle Time-Off Requests Fairly

Employees need breaks to stay motivated and avoid burnout. Implement these policies:

  • Allow vacation time and occasional additional days off after long work periods.
  • Set clear guidelines for time-off requests, such as requiring two weeks’ notice.
  • Use an automated system to manage requests and prevent conflicts.

4. Communicate Effectively

Strong communication builds trust and encourages staff loyalty. To maintain transparency:

  • Be honest about scheduling constraints and explain decisions clearly.
  • Encourage open dialogue between management and employees.
  • Regularly check in with staff to address concerns and improve workplace morale.

By fostering an open and honest work environment, employees are more likely to stay and contribute positively to the restaurant.

Conclusion

Retaining restaurant staff requires strategic hiring, fair scheduling, proper time-off management, and clear communication. By prioritizing employee satisfaction, you can reduce turnover, enhance customer service, and create a strong team dedicated to your restaurant’s success.

 

© 2019 Cameo. All rights reserved.

 

Fantastic Twitter Features to Include in Your Marketing Strategy

 

Fantastic Twitter Features to Include in Your Marketing Strategy

Harness Twitter’s power to grow your restaurant’s brand and engage with customers effectively.

 

Introduction

Twitter has evolved into a robust marketing platform suitable for businesses of all kinds, especially restaurants. From showcasing your menu to engaging with customers, Twitter offers numerous opportunities to strengthen your brand. Here are the top features and strategies to include in your marketing plan.

1. Optimize Your Profile

Ensure your profile represents your brand effectively:

  • Use your logo as the profile picture for easy brand recognition.
  • Craft a bio with your tagline, business hours, menu highlights, and contact information.

2. Follow Carefully

Be selective about whom you follow. Avoid cluttering your feed with irrelevant accounts. Use Twitter Analytics to find relevant accounts in your niche to follow and engage with.

3. Utilize Twitter Lists

Twitter Lists are underused but incredibly powerful:

  • Organize bloggers, influencers, and vendors into lists for easy engagement.
  • Stay updated on industry trends and news.

4. Open Direct Messaging

Enable Direct Messaging to allow customers to voice concerns privately rather than publicly on your profile. This can improve customer satisfaction and prevent negative publicity.

5. Leverage Moments

Use the Moments feature to curate tweets around events, product launches, or trends. This boosts engagement and keeps your followers informed.

6. Use Twitter Ads

Take advantage of Twitter Ads to create targeted campaigns. Identify relevant hashtags used by your audience to reach potential customers effectively.

7. Implement Coupon Marketing

Offer exclusive Twitter-only coupons and deals to encourage brand loyalty and increase engagement. This can also provide valuable customer insights.

9. Focus on Engagement

Follow the 80/20 rule: Spend 80% of your time interacting with followers and 20% promoting your restaurant. This keeps your audience engaged and valued.

10. Prioritize Customer Service

Use Twitter as a customer service tool by responding quickly to inquiries, complaints, and praise. This builds trust and strengthens your reputation.

11. Post Pictures and Videos

Enhance your tweets with visuals. Tweets with images receive 150% more retweets, making them an essential part of your strategy. Quick smartphone shots can be as effective as professional photos.

12. Collaborate with Influencers

Partner with influencers in your niche to promote your restaurant. Their recommendations can significantly boost your brand’s visibility and credibility.

13. Use Twitter Analytics

Track the performance of your tweets with Twitter Analytics. Learn which posts generate the most engagement and identify the best times to post.

Conclusion

With its diverse features, Twitter is a valuable tool for any restaurant’s marketing strategy. By optimizing your profile, engaging with customers, leveraging influencers, and utilizing tools like Analytics, you can grow your brand and connect with your audience effectively. Start implementing these tips today!

 

© 2019 Cameo. All rights reserved.

 

Long Lines – Is It Impossible to Keep Customers Happy?

 

Long Lines – Is It Impossible to Keep Customers Happy?

Transform long waits into a positive experience with these practical tips for restaurants.

 

Introduction

Long lines at a restaurant can serve two purposes: they give the staff time to clear tables and create intrigue for passersby. However, if managed poorly, they can drive customers away and damage your reputation. How can you ensure your restaurant is worth the wait? Here are five strategies to keep your customers happy and engaged while they wait.

1. Always Remain Honest

Honesty is key when managing customer expectations:

  • Provide realistic wait times. If it’s going to be 45 minutes, don’t say 15 just to appease them temporarily.
  • Encourage customers to make reservations for future visits to avoid long waits.

2. Optimize Your Reservation System

Reservations can streamline your operations and reduce waiting times:

  • Use systems like OpenTable to manage reservations effectively and reward punctual customers.
  • Consider taking credit card details to secure reservations and reduce no-shows.

3. Assess Customer Interest

Before adding customers to the queue, ensure they are willing to wait. This prevents artificial waiting times caused by customers who leave prematurely.

4. Keep Guests Calm

Create a welcoming environment for waiting customers:

  • Provide a comfortable waiting area, complete with outdoor heating or umbrellas for weather protection.
  • Acknowledge customers as they arrive and explain the wait process clearly.
  • Offer small snacks to keep hunger at bay and show your appreciation for their patience.

5. Occupy Guests

Make waiting time enjoyable with engaging activities:

  • Send Them Nearby: Recommend local attractions or stores they can explore while waiting.
  • Install TVs: Provide entertainment in the waiting area to help time pass quickly.
  • Offer Coloring Books: Keep children entertained, making it easier for parents to wait.
  • Take a Number: Use a numbering system and contact customers directly when a table is ready.

Conclusion

Some customers may never enjoy waiting in line, but with these strategies, you can turn the experience into a positive one. Honest communication, effective reservations, engaging activities, and a welcoming atmosphere can make your restaurant worth the wait!

 

© 2019 Cameo. All rights reserved.

 

5 Tips to Avoid No-shows at Your Restaurant

 

5 Tips to Avoid No-Shows at Your Restaurant

Prevent missed reservations with these proven strategies for effective restaurant management.

 

Introduction

No-shows—customers who make reservations but fail to show up or cancel—can be a significant challenge for restaurants. They lead to revenue loss and disrupt operational flow. Fortunately, there are strategies to reduce no-shows and ensure smoother operations. Here are 5 practical tips to help you minimize no-shows at your restaurant.

1. Communicate Openly

Clear communication is key to avoiding no-shows. Make your reservation policies easy to understand:

  • Explain how customers can cancel reservations and the ideal time to do so.
  • Highlight the importance of timely cancellations and offer multiple cancellation methods (phone, text, or online).
  • Consider implementing an automatic reservation system for convenience.

2. Detail Them on the Fees

Charging a reservation fee can significantly reduce no-shows:

  • Request credit card details to hold reservations and charge a deposit fee if necessary.
  • Clearly outline the policies and procedures for reservation charges to ensure transparency.

3. Set a Time-Frame

Define how long you will hold a reservation if a customer is late. Consider these steps:

  • Set a standard wait time (e.g., 15 minutes) before releasing the table.
  • Customize the time-frame based on your restaurant’s location and typical customer behavior.
  • Communicate the wait policy to customers when they make their reservation.

4. No Reservation or Limit Reservations

Consider adjusting your reservation policy based on your restaurant’s needs:

  • No Reservations: For new restaurants, avoiding reservations altogether can simplify operations.
  • Limit Reservations: Restrict reservations to specific time periods or peak hours to balance planned bookings with spontaneous visits.

5. Send Reminders

Proactively remind customers of their reservations to reduce no-shows:

  • Send reminders via phone calls, emails, or text messages with reservation details (date and time).
  • Use reservation management software to automate reminder notifications.

Conclusion

No-shows can be a major disruption for restaurants, but with the right strategies, they can be minimized. By communicating openly, implementing reservation fees, setting clear time-frames, adjusting your reservation policy, and sending reminders, you can ensure a more predictable and profitable operation. Start implementing these tips today to improve customer relationships and reduce revenue loss.

 

© 2019 Cameo. All rights reserved.