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Turn Your Restaurant Into a More Profitable Business . . . Starting Today!
Join our community of thousands of independent operators who are starting, improving and growing their restaurant business. Find hundreds of how-to articles and downloadable forms, checklists, manuals and other templates plus online seminars, audio programs, restaurant business plan resources and more. View some
FREE Samples of our resources.
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 DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Startup Checklist
Starting a restaurant means dealing with a myriad of details and activities. Missing a critical step or activity can mean delays, cost overruns or worse. Use this 300+ point checklist from 12 months out to opening day to better plan and manage the process. . . . more >>
 DOWNLOAD: Training Manual Templates
Having comprehensive, easy-to-understand training manuals for every position in your restaurant is vital for new employees to learn to perform their jobs the "right way." Use these templates as a guide to create your own detailed training manuals for server, bartender, busser, prep cook, line cook, dishwasher . . .
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 DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Business Plan Template
A professional, well-conceived restaurant business plan is absolutely essential for an independent restaurant venture to obtain funding and have any real chance for success. Our business plan templates will provide you with the tools to develop & communicate your plan in a professional, compelling format that will enhance your chances of securing capital and making your plan a reality. . . . more >>
 AUDIO: Why Traditional Advertising Doesn't Work for Independents & What You Can Do About It
Very few restaurants can afford to sit back and expect a sufficient number of customers to just drop in anymore. There are just too many other restaurants and dining choices. Also, conventional advertising is expensive and often doesn't deliver results. Find out how some independents are building sales in highly competitive markets. . . . more >>
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SCREENCAST: Gun to the Head Marketing
...It's 8:57 pm. You're at your restaurant. Your life absolutely depends on getting one new customer - before 9:00 pm. You have 3 minutes. It's dark. A car pulls up. A man steps out... oh yeah, I forgot to mention - there's another restaurant right next door to you. And that's where he's going. Your life depends on this what are you going to do...? . . . more >>
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SCREENCAST: How to Renegotiate Your Restaurant's Lease
As the economy struggles so does the restaurant industry. To find relief, many operators are seeking assistance from a traditionally unlikely source...their landlords. Learn how to determine if asking for a rent concession makes sense for you and if so, how to go about it in a way that improves your chances of success. Our guest is real estate attorney, Larry Green. . . . more >>
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DOWNLOAD: Rent Reduction Request Letter
Having a hard time paying your rent? It may be time to talk to your landlord for relief. As demand for lease space softens, national chains as well as independents are obtaining rent reductions of 10%, 20% and even more. Use this template to notify your landlord, make your case and set the tone for a successful outcome. . . . more >>
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SCREENCAST: How to Get Started in Social Media Marketing
Bear Silber is the co-owner of single unit independent restaurant in Santa Clara, CA that is using the new social media channels for marketing his restaurant. Bear explains what he's doing and how they're helping him build a following of highly loyal local customers and attract new ones. . . . more >>
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Spot Food Cost Problems by Knowing Your Ideal Food Cost
by Joe Erickson
"What should my food cost be?" - this is one of the most often asked questions by restaurant operators. Considering that food cost, along with labor cost, make up 60-70% of all restaurant expenditures, knowing what your restaurant's food cost "should be" is the first step towards controlling it . . . more >>
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Restaurant Systems: 90-day Plan on Which Systems to Implement First
by Joe Erickson
In order for a restaurant to be successful, it must deliver consistent quality in both product and service. Considering that 60-80% of your business comes from repeat customers; it's paramount that you meet or exceed your guests' expectations over and over. However, too many operators fail to recognize that in order to be consistent, they must have restaurant systems in place that promote consistency . . . more >>
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DOWNLOAD: Customer Comment Card
It's estimated that only 1 in 20 people will complain if they have a problem in a restaurant. The problem for the operator, is that many of these people simply don't come back. Make it easy to get customer feedback with a quick, convenient Customer Comment Card system. . . . more >>
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Survey Results: Customer Service Survey
In this survey operators reveal how customer service impacts their restaurant. Operators share valuable insight to the challenges and rewards to successfully maintaining high levels of customer service. . . . more >>
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DOWNLOAD: Weekly Prime Cost Worksheet
Independents who calculate and analyze their food and labor each week instead of just monthly, report a prime cost savings of 2-5% of sales. Get your weekly food and labor costs quickly and efficiently with this series of Excel worksheets. . . . more >>
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DOWNLOAD: Server Sidework Checklist
Servers have sidework duties in addition to their primary service tasks. So that these tasks are completed consistently, it's important to have detailed checklists so that everyone knows what they're responsible for. Download a sample and learn how to quickly create your own detailed sidework checklists. . . . more >>
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The Restaurant Owner's Financial Management Scorecard
by Jim Laube
No unhappy guests is always JOB ONE but, a restaurant that's regularly filled with happy customers isn't necessarily a successful one. It's got to make money, too. Find out how well you're paying attention to the financial side of your restaurant. . . . more >>
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DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Startup & Feasibility Model (Tableservice version)
Whether you're planning to start your first restaurant or add another location, analyzing the financial feasibility of the project is essential. These series of linked spreadsheets have been refined over several years on a wide variety and number of actual restaurant ventures and formal restaurant business plans. . . . more >>
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Ginza Japanese Restaurants, Inc
Winston Salem, NC
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City Bagel Café
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
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Tavern At The Village Green
Cleveland, TN
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Printer's Alley Bar & Grill
Memphis, TN
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Pearle Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Dublin, NH
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Matters of Taste Bakery Market Café
Honolulu, HI
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and introduced the prime cost concept. My prime costs are dropping because of
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Paddy's Brewpub & Rosie's Restaurant
Kentville, Nova Scotia
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Hizzoner's Uptown Deli
Bellingham, WA
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Lefty's Restaurant
Parksville, B.C.
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Pappa's Bossier
Bossier City, LA
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Cook's Double Dutch
Culver City, CA
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