Michael Hartzell, on 7/12/12 10:38 AM
Google has been on a consolidation spree as of late, compressing everything from privacy policies to products and services. Google Places now knows the feeling as it was recently merged into Google+, the company’s social network that has been the beneficiary of numerous integrations. This is actually great for local businesses, so let’s take a look at how restaurants can dig in and take advantage.
Michael Hartzell, on 6/23/12 3:26 AM
Without a doubt, one of the downsides of the restaurant business is “bad, uninformed, uneducated and hyped- up salespeople” selling the next marketing tool, marketing service, marketing product, advertisement.
Michael Hartzell, on 6/20/12 6:18 PM
How does a restaurant management team expect to learn how to have a successful restaurant marketing plan? Do you start with the slower and cheaper method? One great book on business might provide the answer and inspiration and give you a 1,000% return on investment. (In a perfect scenario.)
Michael Hartzell, on 3/8/12 8:22 AM
There is good news for for you if you are interested in whether you are serving toxic chicken or bad beef and you are too busy to watch the evening news; the USDA is now on Twitter! (With almost a quarter million followers)
Michael Hartzell, on 3/5/12 2:36 PM
Loyalty program options for marketing a restaurant have leaped ahead faster than any restaurant owner can possibly understand. While the opportunity for anyone to have a loyalty program grows, consumers (guests) have a dim view of loyalty programs since 93% believe they are more a marketing tool and not truly intended to be a benefit to them.
Michael Hartzell, on 2/28/12 8:10 AM
Two restaurant managers with the same basic skill set and experience will many times have two completely different results. It might boil down to the perception others have of the restaurant manager. Each restaurant manager performs the same basic tasks and daily routines. Neither hesitates at work or the constant flux of the restaurant business. Neither shirks their responsibilities and their is no doubt of their pride and commitment.
Michael Hartzell, on 2/1/12 1:41 PM
If you own a restaurant, work in the industry, or simply enjoy a night out at your favorite eatery now and then you’re bound to notice the basic marketing gears grinding away. A large sign or two posted out front, a handful of media ads, and an engaging Facebook page are pretty standard stuff when it comes to restaurant promotion. Many restaurants stop once they’ve covered the basics, and in doing so bypass a whole world of marketing opportunities that can build relationships as well as revenue. It’s not missing out if you don’t know it exists, so we’ve uncovered a handful of non-food related marketing opportunities for you that often go untapped.
Michael Hartzell, on 1/18/12 11:52 PM
Hot chocolate sticks are more than an idea and one which should have any restaurateur raising an eyebrow. Instead of going more generic with the lowest cost products available from your food supplier (Which are offered and served by every other restaurant on the street), be inspired by the amazing and awesomeness of www.30poundsofapples.com. This video is about Hot Chocolate Sticks (For which I give two thumbs up) but in reality it is a video to keep you thinking with more imagination for how to connect with the guests by offering something memorable with more restaurant marketing ideas.
Michael Hartzell, on 1/16/12 8:29 PM
Looking to realize your dream and open a restaurant business? Now may be just the time to do it. Earlier this year the National Restaurant Association predicted that after a three-year period of negative sales growth, the restaurant business would post positive growth and reach a record $604 billion in sales.
Opening a restaurant or food service business requires research, planning, capital (not always as much as you think), business acumen, and perseverance. It also requires a number of legal and regulatory considerations, during both the startup phase and the lifecycle of the business.
Here are some tips for starting and operating a restaurant within the law.
Michael Hartzell, on 1/7/12 7:15 PM
A favorite restaurant marketing tactic has been to focus on one person in a group with a special diet. Restaurants have new opportunities in the area of gluten free. The percentage of people who have an intolerance to gluten — about one in 20 — is not high. Even so, businesses should still go the extra mile in accommodating people who follow gluten-free diets.
Customers who follow gluten-free diets “tend to be a passionate group,” - says Cynthia Kupper who is the executive director of Gluten Intolerance Group of North America.
Michael Hartzell, on 12/15/11 8:48 AM
Who are vegans? If you know the answer to this question, you know exactly how to createe your marketing campaigns. The data shows that when you meet a vegan, 83% will be female and most have no children and are not married.
Michael Hartzell, on 11/14/11 9:49 AM
A new restaurant marketing spreadsheet is now available. The new restaurant marketing spreadsheet is an Excel worksheet which can be used on your computer or it can be printed out the size of a poster as a planning tool for a wall in the office. Your local printer such as FedEx/Kinko's should do if for approximately $10.
The restaurant marketing planning spreadsheet is flexible for you to change/edit to fit your own business. Narrow down the very long list of marketing tactics to about 12 to 15. Which marketing tactics you choose will depend on your community, resources and your team.
