How long is the wait?

We all want our customers to be happy, from the moment they walk in the door to the ride home and beyond. So, what do we do to make sure that happens in the busy season...you know what I mean, right? We've possibly been in this situation ourselves....You have your whole family on vacation. The kids are crabby, hungry and tired. You're Mother-in-law is WAY past her dinner hour and tired. And you. You are just tired. Everyone is hungry. The only problem is that the wait time at the restaurant of choice is approaching an hour. What would you like to see that restaurant do to help accommodate your party of 8? And what, as a restaurant owner, can you do to make sure everyone is taken care of?
Your first order of business: keep the kids occupied. If the kids are whining, the adults will be....well...whining. If the kids come in and appear rambunctious, have a plan. Have some games, paper, pens, crayons and possibly a snack basket to hand them. When the table of 2 adults and 6 kids DOES get seated, have your waitstaff trained to order the kids meals first (usually a quicker cook-time), separate from the adult meals (takes a little longer to prepare). The kids get fed while the adult meals are cooking and Mom and Dad can actually enjoy their meals while the kids have a scoop if ice cream.

Next, be sure you are calculating your wait times appropriately for your place of business. There is no magic formula. It all depends on the speed and efficiency of your kitchen and waitstaff. If you are unsure, try tracking if for a couple of nights (have an extra door person help you). Calculate the average meal time and go from there. This may help avoid the inevitable "You told me 30 minutes and it's been 45!" (If wait times are typically long, invest in the buzzers that customers can take with them to alert them when their table is ready.) We can't be 100% accurate, but the closer the better.

Lastly, a warm welcome doesn't hurt. The old adage "Killing them with kindness" still works...usually. It's easy to look and sound snappy and stressed out when you have an hour and a half wait, it's hot and chaotic and you are already "over it" for the night. Try not to let 'em get to you...remember, a cold adult beverage is a few short hours away!
Read more!

Cherry's Café, Jackson, MI

This poster and table tent series is from Cherry's Café in Jackson, MI and Elva Gyorke, SYSCO Detroit advertising their Economy Buster Specials and Family Stimulus for free kids meals and reduced price senior meals. What a great way to draw entire families to their place (while incurring minimal cost) and increase dinner traffic. Nice looking products!
Read more!

Hotel Grill, Trenton, MI

Check out this slugger from Hotel Grill and Julie Mastin of Sysco Detroit, offering two-person meal deals for 22 bucks...this is a great idea! Restaurants that offer a value like this are bound to make money and have repeat business. You don't have to offer your largest portions either, if you include the starch, vegetable, appetizer and dessert. Remember, it's all about the perceived value. This is a perfect example of how following a trend CAN be a profitable idea! Good thinkin'!
Read more!

Summer Drink Recipes!

Woo-hoo! Time for some summer cocktails!

The Mosquito

An interesting variation on the traditional mojito.
6-7 fresh Thai basil leaves, torn up
Juice from half a lime (about 1/2 ounce)
3/4 ounce simple syrup
crushed ice
1 1/2 ounces of light rum
Club soda

Step 1: Place torn basil leaves into bottom of hi-ball glass. Add lime juice and simple syrup.
Step 2: Muddle together with muddler or back a large spoon to bruise leaves and release flavor.
Step 3: Fill the remainder of the glass with ice shards and add rum. Top off with club soda. Serve.
What it tastes like: A smattering of sweetness, but mostly crisp with a perfect hint of basil.

Pomegranate Mojito

6-7 fresh mint leaves, torn up.
¾ ounce pomegranate juice
Juice from half a lime (about 1/2 ounce)
1/4 ounce simple syrup
crushed ice
1 1/2 ounces of light rum
Club soda
Follow same directions as above, adding pomegranate juice at the end. A nice alternative to regular mint mojitos.

Rock Runner

Get your blender out! This is my variation of the rum runner…one is plenty! Two is great…if you are walking!

Fill blender with two heaping cups of ice.
Pour on top:

¼ oz. light rum
¼ oz. dark rum
¼ oz. coconut rum
¼ oz. blackberry brandy
½ oz. banana schnapps
Dash (about ¼ cup) pineapple juice.
Strawberry Daquiri mix to the top of the ice …there should NOT be much room☺ but you know how to make it work!
Blend and serve with tiny umbrellas! Yum!

Read more!

Happy 4th of July from MyMenuLab!

Stay tuned for the results from the Labby Awards!
Read more!