Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Today's Specials:
MARKETING: 13 Must-Haves for Successful Restaurant Digital Marketing
If you’re going to succeed with online or digital marketing (they’re not exactly the same thing) as a restaurant, restaurant group, or small chain, there are 13 questions you need to address.
DID YOU KNOWS…
McNasty!
A newly fired McDonald’s employee from Louisiana decided to get some revenge against the golden arches. His viral tweet showing the inside of the McDonald’s ice cream machine looked down right horrifying. To make matters worse, it was just before National Ice Cream Day. But seriously, view at your own risk.
When Delivery Goes Horribly Wrong
Fast food delivery is a tough job, especially late at night. Munchies featured an article documenting when fast food delivery goes horribly wrong, as experienced by a few different delivery workers. Expect swingers, stoners, and so much nudity.
Raining Rats
As if Chipotle wasn’t having enough issues with food safety. In a disgusting video from a Texas Chipotle, at least three mice were filmed running around during the lunch rush. Some customers even said they saw mice falling from the ceiling tiles. Why not make it a game?
TACOS ON THE GO
Why it matters to you: Lyft and Taco Bell are testing a “Taco Mode” option.
When brands work together to drive up sales, often the outcome is a win-win. Taco Bell is in the process of launching a limited trial of an in-app option to allow Lyft passengers to add a restaurant stop on their ride. If tests pan out in the long term, then Lyft’s “Taco Mode” will allow users to alter their route to pass a Taco Bell for a pit-stop. A national consumer study from June found that Millennials are more likely to use a ride-sharing app on a night out than any other time. Similarly, Taco Bell sees a fairly regular late-night rush which led to the idea of pairing with a ride-sharing app to boost sales.
In addition to the ability to grab take out in between destinations, users will gain access to “a custom in-car menu, a tricked-out taco-themed car, and free Doritos Locos Tacos during the trial run,” according to the NRN. This is a great example of how brands work together to build profit for both companies based on consumer statistics. Not only is this a great idea for Taco Bell, but it will also give Lyft the advantage in the ride-sharing market based on Uber’s existing hurting reputation. Overall, industry analysts predict this business venture to be highly profitable and, if successful, spreading to other regions of the United States.
RESTAURANT LIFE IN THE BIG CITY
Why it matters to you: Labor practices by big city operators can inform us all.
If you are located in a metro market, then you already know the challenges it presents to your staff. Housing, commuting, and other costs are higher and harder to manage in these demographics and can make retaining staff extremely challenging. It’s become so bad that operators in big cities like San Francisco are offering extended benefits, travel vouchers and crash pads for workers beleaguered by the incredible cost of living. Of course, big city operators also have big city revenue to justify their efforts, but really there is something to learn from their approach.
Finding and retaining the best people today requires a new approach. These large markets may include transportation credits or special training to keep your team engaged. In smaller markets, you can emulate these actions to improve your retention and support staff in their development. Consider extra training services, or simply exposing your team to a more granular understanding of your business. You don’t have to give away the farm, just prove to them you are there to support their careers and growth. The benefit will be obvious in the improved performance.
