Nationwide Restaurant Consultant

From years of experience, we have our list of restaurant operation tips not based on science or analysis but rather items you can react on and implement immediately.

Christmas 2010 is going to be on a Saturday – restaurants lose the weekend. The economic recovery didn’t happen, and now Xmas falling on the worst day of the week.

For those who are set on getting into the multibillion-dollar restaurant game, it’s going to take more than passion to succeed.

Before you’ve even opened, all these odds are stacked against you. The name is not enough. The brand name brings in the customer for the first time; the quality of the product keeps them coming back.

Casual dining mom-and-pops haven’t been hurt as much by the recession, mainly because people feel a strong connection to the businesses. Becoming a local leader and integral part of the community, versus a faceless chain, can go a long way to developing customer loyalty.

In a restaurant market full of competition, what separates you from your neighbor? Service, ambiance, price, parking and décor can all be strong factors in swaying a potential customer’s decision. However one fact always seems to get lost somewhere and that is the ability for your customers to get in contact with you either to make a reservation, discuss special needs or even book their company holiday party. As restaurant consultants, we know that restaurant customer service is the critical and often overlooked as an area than can directly drive improved business when given appropriate attention.

The National Purchasing Program (NPP) is designed for our nationwide restaurant clients of all sizes, enabling them to join a network and benefit from the purchasing power of each other. Providing prices lower than one sole operator can negotiate whether you are a single unit location or a growing franchise. The combination of the NPP multi million dollar purchasing and the constant and aggressive negotiating on behalf of the whole group benefit each and every member.

Marketing to gay and lesbian tourists makes sense. This gives us a competitive advantage against our neighbors in L.A. Not only that, but the campaign offers gay and lesbian tourists a destination where they can feel welcome. Why wouldn’t they come to see what it is like to be in a city of equal opportunity?

Like the slew of retail companies that offer 100-calorie, portion-controlled products to consumers, a handful of quick-serve operators are also jumping on the trend. But so far most chains have restrained from such a “better for you” marketing gambit and, in fact, show little inclination to back away from a recession-proof emphasis on volume as value.

In an attempt to boost local business during the economic downturn, the City of West Hollywood has partnered with the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to offer a special economic hardship package to local retailers, restaurants, hotels and other businesses.

James Sinclair, President of OnSite Consulting, operators of O-Bar in West Hollywood, said the economic hardship package is not only a financial measure, but one that will raise morale amongst business owners.