Thinking Positive: The Importance of Good Customer Reviews for Restaurants
Reviews provide a “free” constantly-updating data stream about your business. While bad reviews can be a “kick in the gut,” they often reveal operational blind spots that surveys might miss. By leveraging this feedback, you can re-optimize your menu and service strategy. Ultimately, your responses aren’t just for the person who wrote the review—they are for the thousands of prospective customers watching to see how you handle feedback
5 Best Social Media Platforms For Restaurants
The key to social media success is consistency and variety. A restaurant shouldn’t just be “shouting” promotions; it should be listening to what customers want. Use a planning calendar to balance your content—mixing professional menu shots with user-submitted photos and real-time updates. By optimizing your image sizes and using direct-ordering integrations, you turn your social followers into a loyal, high-frequency customer base
Spotlight on North Miami’s Arigatai Sushi: A Fusion of Asian Fare with a Latin Flare
Arigatai’s success is a masterclass in operational flexibility. By treating “delivery as their brand” during the pandemic, they built a loyal customer base before their dining room even fully reopened. Adriana’s advice to other restaurateurs is simple: invest in a dedicated delivery staff member to balance off-premise growth with high-quality in-person service. This separation of duties ensures that whether a customer is eating at home or in Bal Harbour, the “Arigatai” experience remains consistent.
Step-by-Step Menu Engineering for Restaurant Delivery with FREE Downloadable Worksheet
Your delivery menu should be a leaner, more efficient version of your in-house menu. By focusing on “Stars” that travel perfectly and “Puzzles” that can be easily upsold, you ensure that every delivery driver leaving your kitchen is carrying a profitable order. Remember, the goal of menu engineering isn’t just to list what you cook—it’s to guide your customers toward the dishes that are best for both your brand and your bank account
Make the Grade: How to Drive Traffic To Your Restaurant During Back-to-School Season
Success during the back-to-school season depends on flexibility and empathy. By recognizing the specific pressures students and parents are under—whether it’s a 10:00 PM study session or a 6:00 PM soccer practice—you can tailor your services to be their most reliable support system. Investing in a dedicated “Delivery Coordinator” (as seen in successful fusion restaurants) can further ensure that even during the busiest school nights, your off-premise quality never “fails the test.”
6 Ways to Honor Your Restaurant Staff on Labor Day
Labor Day is a celebration of the American worker, and in the restaurant industry—where work weeks often exceed 40 hours—that recognition is more vital than ever. Whether you choose to capture the “last hurrah” of summer sales or give your team a well-deserved day of rest, the key is transparency and fairness. By using tools like a “Holiday Wheel” or offering future PTO, you build a long-term culture where staff feels respected, reducing turnover and creating a more cohesive team for the busy seasons ahead
Reimagining Your Online Menu
A successful online menu is lean and focused. By removing items that don’t travel well or have low margins, you simplify your operations and increase your profitability. The digital experience should be frictionless, especially for mobile users, so prioritize clear headings, readable fonts, and a separate “pop-up” dessert menu at checkout to capture last-minute upsells
Winning Business: Turning First-Timers into Loyal Customers
The transition from a “first-timer” to a “forever fan” is a journey that requires consistency and intent. By implementing a dedicated first-time customer program—whether through automated loyalty points or a simple table-flagging system—you ensure that new guests feel seen and valued. Remember: the best marketing isn’t a billboard; it’s a customer who had such a great experience that they wouldn’t dream of ordering from anyone else next Friday night
8 Ways to Boost Your Restaurant’s Basket Size as 2023 Approaches
Increasing your basket size is about moving from “transactional” service to “consultative” service. By understanding your guests—whether through physical cues in the dining room or data-driven modifiers in your online ordering system—you create a win-win scenario: the guest receives a more personalized, satisfying meal, and the restaurant sees a significant boost to the bottom line. Small shifts, like educating a server on a new wine pairing or setting a minimum order for a freebie, can collectively increase revenue by 10–30%
Signed, Sealed, and Well-Delivered: Tips for Keeping Your Delivery Looking and Tasting Fresh
In the modern restaurant landscape, “Packaging is the New Plating.” Your delivery bag is a physical representation of your brand’s standards. By focusing on minimalism, clear labeling, and functional features like “breathable” containers, you transform a simple meal into a premium experience. Consistency in these small details—like including that extra napkin or a reheating tip—is what builds the “digital loyalty” necessary to thrive in a delivery-heavy market