LEADERSHIP: 5 Tips for Becoming a Better Restaurant Manager
One of the most important things in running a business is good communication. As hard as it is contriving management strategies, it might be even harder to delegate particular tasks to different people. If you are a restaurant manager, having strong communication skills is paramount to a successful restaurant and career. It starts with creating a solid plan and continues with your ability to keep the team on track, being flexible, and showing superior leadership. Here are other ways to becoming a better restaurant manager.
DID YOU KNOWS…
Ready for V-Day?
Are you prepping for Valentine’s Day yet? White Castle is. They’re already taking reservations for Valentine’s Day. The slider-chain has been hosting the holiday of love for the past 29 years. On their menu this year is the “Eggspress Your Love” breakfast sliders, table-side service with a host & server, love-themed décor on the walls and tables, and photo ops for guests and their snuggle bunnies. What’s your restaurant doing to lure couples in?
7 Drink Trends to Watch Out for in 2020
VinePair has done the sleuthing and has made their drink trend predictions for the year. Everything from tariffs raising the price on popular drinks and hard seltzer continuing its reign, to craft brew mergers and low-proof cocktails. Here’s what to look out for in the drink world in 2020.
‘White Claw’ Claw Machine
Some bars are taking full advantage of White Claw’s popularity by gamifying the popular drink. The “White Claw” claw machine game (aka “Claw for Claw”) is a spin on the traditional claw game in which guests put in a dollar in an attempt to grab a White Claw can or some other White Claw-themed prize. There’s currently one at Gambal’s Social Club in Kansas City, as well as Jack’s American Pub and Milwaukee Brat House in Wisconsin.
SMOKIN’ [Video]
Why it matters to you: Is it time to relax smoking bans across the country?
If you were around in the mid-90s, you will remember much hand wringing and consternation regarding proposed smoking bans across the country. As a person who lived that scene, I can recall my own fear that guests that smoke would simply cross the border from my Massachusetts restaurant to Connecticut once the ban took place. That fear was mostly driven by the piecemeal approach to legislation that happened slowly and state by state. After all was said and done, my worst fears were not realized and I still feel a wry smile overtaking me when I see these poor evicted smokers standing on a sidewalk in January managing their addiction. All this reminiscing begs the question, however, was the total eradication of smoking in restaurants a good idea in the end? This interview on Eater with an author whose book discusses that very question was illuminating.
Now that sufficient time has passed, there might be room to let some forms of smoking return to our restaurants. As a cigar smoker on occasion myself, I have to travel to Boston’s North End to find a place to smoke where I can also get a decent choice of spirits. The argument at back in the ‘90s was employees had no choice but to breathe foul air when all restaurants allowed smoking. But isn’t it fair to say that some folks that already smoke might be interested in working where they can enjoy their addiction and get paid? I’m certainly not advocating for a smoke-filled restaurant on every corner, but I do think guests, employees and management should have the choice to enjoy their cigarette, cigar or vape. It’s about adults consenting and acknowledging the risks of their behavior. If you have any opinion on this subject, please shoot us a message.
[Source: Eater]
100%
Why it matters to you: Looming tariffs may cause serious price disruptions in our industry.
If you watched the most recent Democratic Presidential Debate, you heard a substantial conversation about international trade policy. For restaurant operators, discussions of trade deals and tariffs can feel very distant, but there are some looming trade changes that will definitely change the way you manage your business. In the most recent trade dust up between the United States and Europe, a spate of 100% tariffs have been authorized but not yet implemented. These tariffs will impact everything from European wines to Irish Whiskey (yes, whiskey is spelled with an ‘e’) and also includes goods like olive oil and even waffles. If fully implemented, some feel the effect on prices will be calamitous. Costs of the tariffs will fall to American businesses and consumers.
From a pure economics standpoint, if you raise prices on a significant segment of a product via tariffs, it will also raise prices on products not slapped with them. This means wine prices overall will increase and this is true of the other products as well. Since the lion share of the proposed tariffs are on food and beverage products, you can expect to see some significant price jumps on products you already rely on for your menu. We don’t know what a 100% tariff will do to pricing, but this calculator shows what the first round of 25% tariffs did. There is some hope that the US Trade Representative will be able to resolve this most recent dispute, but you shouldn’t count on it. Either way, we will keep you informed so you can respond accordingly.
[Source: Grub Street]
