VIDEO: The Top Five Grimiest Places in a Restaurant [Under 60 Seconds]
We know as well as you just how dirty our restaurants can get. We did some research on what places in our establishments get the dirtiest, and we can’t say we’re too surprised. However, what we did find was relatively shocking. Bust out the bleach!
DID YOU KNOWS…
Whiskey Coffee
We know people enjoy spiking their coffee with a little whiskey but what about actual whiskey coffee? Jack Daniel’s is releasing a whiskey-infused coffee that tastes allegedly like whiskey. Unlike spiking your morning coffee, however, you can’t get drunk on this stuff. Kinda makes us wonder what the point even is.
Hate Crimes Rise for Third Straight Year
According to statistics released by the FBI, hate crime has increased in the U.S. for the third year running. Last year, the number of incidents increased 17% compared to 2016. The total number of incidents grew from 6,121 in 2016 to 7,175 in 2017 with black and Jewish Americans seriously impacted. In 2017, 59.6% of the incidents reported were motivated by bias against race, 20.6 percent were against religion and 15.8% were against a person's sexual orientation.
Binge-Watching Takes Sacrifices
According to a Morning Consult/Hollywood reporter poll, young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 were more likely to change their social and personal habits to accommodate a show that they are diving into. About three-quarters of young adults reported pulling all night-ers to find out what happens to their favorite characters, while only about half of all TV watchers reported engaging in binge-watching to the same extent.
REGULATION REDUX
Why it matters to you: Avoid future regulation by operating well now.
Since the inception of the Trump Administration, we have heard about the evils of regulation and the administration’s effort to combat them. In point of fact with regard to our industry, he has done so in several ways. From the Joint Employer rules, which separate franchisees and franchisors liability to, most recently, redefining rules surrounding of the wages of tipped employees for sidework, the Trump has kept his word. The question is: do we need regulation in our industry? A quick peek at some legislation governing seat size on aircraft can deliver some insight. If you have ever flown economy on most American carriers, then you already know how uncomfortable it can be and how much you paid.
In the case of airlines, consumers have a choice between carriers and can avoid Spirit (29 inch seat) or opt for JetBlue (34 inch seat), which is well and good, until you consider they may not fly where you need to travel. If we learn that dense stacking flyers is unhealthy or unsafe, then shouldn’t we force airlines to specific parameters? The same is true of our industry. I have long believed that regulation is regularly a result of bad performance by an industry. Dirty restaurants at some point drove communities to create a health inspection service. However, any solid operator never has an issue because that standard is set and the community as a whole have benefitted. That’s why I would gladly assert, that if we want to avoid further regulation, start thinking in terms of doing our jobs better and giving society no reason to want to regulate us.
[Source: USAToday]
DUNKIN’ DRIVING FAST
Why it matters to you: How Dunkin’s approach informs your own future planning.
As a ubiquitous brand, Dunkin’s central success is easy access for consumers, but they aren’t banking on that for their future. In fact, they are responding to competitors like Starbuck’s by increasing the sophistication of their beverage and food menus as well as to their guest’s preferences by focusing on speed of service.
When locations aren’t enough to support sustainable growth, great brands should consider what their guests want. Today’s consumer wants faster, more efficient transactions. Dunkin is accomplishing this by focusing on speed of service with new formats, like this store in Quincy, MA with two drive-thru lanes. This way, their mobile customers, who just need to pick up use one lane and new orders another. This is a brilliantly simple innovation, much like Starbuck’s use of technology, to pioneer seamless digital ordering.
While we can all get better at our service speed, that may not be the only thing your guests value. Fortunately for Dunkin, they know how to divine what their guests are seeking. Without their resources, you are forced to go directly to your guests and simply ask them. Surveys are always a powerful way to ask guests their opinion of your location. Why not invite a panel of guests to a special dinner? Ask them pointed questions about their perception of how you are doing and LISTEN! From there you can build a road map for your own future that includes guests’ desires, but also sees industry trends as a factor. This information coupled with business conditions, market demographics and industry trends, should be all the insight you need to see where you should head next.
[Source: NRN]
