Culinary Cues

APRIL 7, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Kitchen Safety 302

Kitchen Safety Food Supply 2030 Healthcare 302

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Opinions are just as strong as they were back in the day but determining what is real, what is true, and what is designed to simply rile people into a frenzy of anger and distrust, is a challenge. Our sources are everywhere and anytime, on television, and through the internet.

Front of House 433

Front of House Back of House Sourcing Travel 433

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

I have always made sure that these smells are part of the grand design of how a kitchen must operate. The smells of the kitchen are individually unique, yet somehow blend to make sense. I think, even if these items weren’t on a menu, I would find a way to bring them into the fold. These are my memories of cooking for the soul.

Food 414

Food Front of House Back of House Point of Sale 414

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 20, 2025

But behind the friendly smiles and occasional free merch is a strategy designed to make them as much money as possible. Sysco, US Foods, and similar distributors have multiple revenue streams, but in this article, we’ll focus on one of their biggest sources of income: margins. This isn’t a knock on them.

Operations 418

Operations Beverage Point of Sale Pricing 418

Culinary Cues

MAY 12, 2025

Cooking should be fun and designed to make all involved happy. A growing number of chefs are shifting their attention to independent operations that focus on foods with wider appeal that need a commitment to excellence. So where are the opportunities to do just that while providing a taste of excellence to a wider audience?

Fine Dining 348

Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Front of House Customer Experience 348

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 27, 2025

This article explores how restaurants can better prepare for cyber incidents, understand third-party vendor risks, respond effectively when breaches occur and leverage their cyber insurance policies for optimal protection. Having these considerations built into response plans from day one makes all the difference.

Insurance 282

Insurance Document Employee Relations 2023 282

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

In this article, we’ll look at the smart strategies restaurants can enact in their supply chain management to minimize food waste, improve margins, and ease their environmental impact in the process. What restaurants can do, however, is re-think how their direct food supply is managed – from transport to inventory control.

Food Supply 442

Food Supply Waste Supplies Management 442

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 7, 2024

In almost every conversation I have with other industry professionals, someone will say “before COVID… ” or “since COVID… ” As a matter of fact, in many of my articles I make the same comparison. I’ll make this connection for you later in this article.

2025 474

2025 Loyalty Program Waste Compost 474

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

In this article, youll learn simple, practical strategies to make it happenno awkward upselling or overcomplicated tactics required. A well-designed menu naturally encourages customers to enhance their meals at key moments in the ordering process. These add-ons and upgrades total up quickly, raising your AOV in the process.

Ordering 349

Ordering Online Ordering Loyalty Program Customer Experience 349

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 21, 2021

Through my time designing numerous restaurant projects, I’ve found a few core factors that can make or break a successful franchise location. An architect can help guide you through building selection and design, while also sorting through the inevitable code issues that arise during restaurant design and construction.

Franchise 508

Franchise Franchising Tip Distribution Design 508

ChowNow

APRIL 25, 2025

Its more than just designing a cool logo, picking a catchy name, and slapping it on everything. Its the sum of everything about your restaurant, from your menu design and decor to the tone you use when replying to comments on social media or greeting customers walking through the door. But how to brand a restaurant isnt always clear.

Mobile Ordering 195

Mobile Ordering Social Media Email Marketing Customer Experience 195

ChowNow

APRIL 11, 2025

Their sleek design and intuitive user interface make them a natural fit for a modern restaurants day-to-day operations. Look for tablets that are built to handle spills and rough handlingwhether that means a ruggedized case or a waterproof design out of the box. Tablets are everywhere in restaurants these days, and with good reason.

Front of House 195

Front of House Allergens Online Ordering Back of House 195

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 14, 2022

Last month, our article summarized the “state of the market” for employee benefits in the restaurant sector. In our last article in MRM, we noted that none of our restaurant groups raised employee medical premiums for the 2022 plan year. Restaurants Can’t Increase Employee Premiums.

Insurance 457

Insurance 2022 2023 Article 457

Culinary Cues

APRIL 14, 2025

The important thing to note is that each story, whether entirely true or not, is designed to give a dish a unique part in the play that takes place every day that a restaurant welcomes guests. As is the case with Caesar Salad, the story sells. Food for thought.

Fine Dining 339

Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Travel Presentation 339

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

A well-designed website does more than just make a good first impression. In this article, you will learn: Why a website makes your restaurant more trustworthy and professional. A well-designed website signals professionalism and legitimacy.

Social Media 195

Social Media Online Ordering SEO Email Marketing 195

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

In this article, you will learn: How to improve your restaurants visibility so more people discover you Engagement strategies that turn first-time visitors into repeat customers Practical marketing tactics to fill more tables and increase takeout orders Here are eight strategies proven to attract more customers to your restaurant.

2025 195

2025 Email Marketing Social Media Loyalty Program 195

ChowNow

MARCH 7, 2025

In this article, you will learn: How to optimize your Google Business Profile to boost visibility and credibility. To learn more about collecting reviews, check out our article on How to Get More Google Restaurant Reviews. To improve mobile usability: Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes.

SEO 195

SEO Online Ordering Mobile Ordering Website Management 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 14, 2025

design to improve service speed and streamline operations. Note: This article is a speculative piece inspired by the television series "The Bear" and does not reflect actual plot developments–though if you’re a showrunner for The Bear… call me! This shift is already happening in real-world kitchens.

Front of House 221

Front of House Back of House FOH BOH 221

Culinary Cues

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Nearly nine years ago, during the first twelve months of Harvest America Cues blog, one of my articles went viral attracting almost 40,000 views in one day. The article struck a nerve with its focus on A Cook’s Kitchen Laws. Since then, more than 100,000 people have read and shared that article.

Coaching 447

Coaching Restaurant Law Training Article 447

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 27, 2022

Well, keep reading this article to find out exactly how to incorporate images into your promotional emails. The links can go to your home page, product pages, customer service page, blogs, or articles, wherever you need them to go! But how can I use images in my restaurant email marketing campaigns? Include Webpage Links.

Email Marketing 508

Email Marketing Marketing SEO Social Media 508

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Read any article enumerating the current or emerging trends in restaurants and retail and you will see ideas of health and wellness, environmental sustainability, and brand authenticity coming to the fore. They remain a benefit corporation in the state of California (a corporate entity designation available in 36 states).

Certification 221

Certification Fast Casual Front of House Government 221

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 12, 2020

Does your dream design plan include demolishing and creating new walls? If possible, put your exact build-out design plans into the lease agreement to avoid any confusion or disputes with the landlord. In fact, we could write an entire article on important issues to consider when drafting and negotiating your construction contract.

Restaurant Law 433

Restaurant Law Equipment Hiring Design 433

The Rail

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to create a food delivery app tailored to your restaurant’s needs, while staying competitive in a booming industry. Design the App Designing your food delivery app requires prioritizing a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation to enhance the customer experience.

Delivery 147

Delivery Food Loyalty Program Food Order 147

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

In the January 23, 2024 New York Times article,“The Menu Trends That Define Dining Right Now,” the publication gathered 121 menus from restaurants all over the United States. The article goes on to suggest that “restaurant menus can be surprisingly revealing.

Seasonal Menu 251

Seasonal Menu 2024 Customer Experience Menu 251

Culinary Cues

MAY 13, 2023

A well-designed program will instill an understanding of discipline, the foundations of cooking, passion, structure, the how and why of cooking, and the professionalism that will help to define the type of chef you may become. This is the biting question, the one that helps a young cook decide what path to take.

Hotels 505

Hotels Point of Sale Cash Management Training 505

ChowNow

JANUARY 30, 2025

Design your brands look and feel. Start by creating a cohesive design that includes your logo, color palette, and typography. Create a Consistent Customer Experience Weve said it many times throughout this article, but consistency is the secret sauce to making your restaurants branding work.

Email Marketing 195

Email Marketing Mobile Ordering Customer Experience Online Ordering 195

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

In this article we’re going to look at five marketing mistakes that many restaurant owners make and show you how to avoid falling into the same traps yourself. There are still some restaurant owners who don’t think it’s important to have a well-designed website for their business. Ignoring the Power of Social Media.

Social Media 440

Social Media Marketing Customer Experience Consumer Goods 440

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 30, 2021

In light of the recent Surfside condominium collapse of Champlain Towers South, many building owners and tenants are evaluating the condition of their buildings, including deferred maintenance items and potential construction and design defects. Restaurant owners should likewise be concerned about the condition of their premises.

Insurance 536

Insurance License Restaurant Law Employee Relations 536

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 18, 2022

Typically, the net medical plan cost increase for employers has been 17 percent lower than the gross increase due to plan design changes. Our most recent article in MRM provides more detail on PTO strategies for the restaurant sector. This compared to 5.0 percent for larger employers. The delta is expected to continue. More Technology.

Insurance 531

Insurance 2022 Technology 2023 531

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 25, 2020

If your restaurant has the necessary staff, designating additional job rotations and smaller but frequent breaks can help lessen the likelihood of workload burnout. As your restaurant eyes an official reopening date, we hope the strategies we’ve covered in this article inspire new ways to promote a culture of safety in your workplace.

Employee Relations 547

Employee Relations Customer Experience Communication Training 547

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

To learn how to get started with Google ordering, check out our article on How to Setup Google Ordering for Restaurants. Designate a specific area for assembling online orders so they dont get mixed up with dine-in tickets. If customers have to hunt for it, they might not bother. Next, focus on your website.

Online Ordering 195

Online Ordering Ordering Email Marketing Mobile Ordering 195

Culinary Cues

MAY 15, 2025

A win-win-win. [] RESULTS: The process is designed to yield the results that everyone expects. If you and your employer are confident in your abilities, then the result will be customers who trust in your ability to consistently meet and exceed THEIR expectations.

Uniforms 223

Uniforms Coaching Restaurant Law Customer Experience 223

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 5, 2022

In my last article I discussed how robots will transform our industry in a big way, but that is a few years off. In this article I will discuss the strategies that I have implemented with my clients across the country. Gradually, states let operations resume, but no matter where you are, we are all now in the same boat: no staff!

Seating 468

Seating Training Customer Service Point of Sale 468

ChowNow

MAY 2, 2025

Choose a User-Friendly Email Platform The best email marketing tools make it easy to design, send, and track your newsletters without needing any sort of technical skills.

Email Marketing 195

Email Marketing Loyalty Program Social Media Seasonal Menu 195

EATER

OCTOBER 30, 2024

What set candy corn apart was its revolutionary tri-color design: those white, yellow, and orange stripes. Dan Kosmayer/Shutterstock The reviled Halloween treat, which has deep roots in American history, should have a better rep Much like the word “moist” and the music of Nickelback, candy corn is a thing that’s cool to hate.

2013 299

2013 Agriculture Advertising Take-out 299

ChowNow

MARCH 21, 2025

In this article, you will learn: How to define your restaurants target market to guide your business decisions. A restaurant target market is the specific group of customers your restaurant is designed to attract. Understanding customer behavior helps you refine your approach to service, marketing, and menu design.

Marketing 195

Marketing Social Media Email Marketing Loyalty Program 195

Culinary Cues

JANUARY 20, 2024

A menu should thus be designed and priced to make those items seem essential. Design your wine by the glass program to make sense for the guest and the property. If we fail to look at the entire restaurant package, then we fail to realize how to earn profit. There is no logical reason for a pound of meat.

Fine Dining 449

Fine Dining Back of House Food Truck Pricing 449