Once upon a time advertising and marketing for a restaurant used to be simple - some radio spots, newspaper ads, and perhaps an occasional TV commercial. Today, thanks to the World Wide Web and a bevy of mobile apps, people are rarely disconnected from one another and there seems to be 1001 ways to reach out to consumers. So, how savvy is your restaurant when it comes to social media? Does your restaurant have Friends on Facebook? Does it Tweet on a regular basis? Are people Yelping about it? Is it Pintresting? Get my point? Read on for tips about using social media at your restaurant.

Photo Credit: Seattle Munciple Archives

One of the biggest trends at the moment is pop up restaurants. These temporary eateries can show up almost anywhere- from a person's apartment to a city rooftop. Those looking to try their hand at the restaurant business can use a pop-up as a trial run for a new restaurant. Chefs wanting more exposure can use a pop-up to show off their skills.

Setting up a pop-up restaurant is easier than a traditional restaurant, but it still requires a lot of organization. Read on for Frequently Asked Questions about Pop-Up Restaurants to find out how to get started.

Is it your dream to one day open a restaurant of your own? The first toward making that dream a reality is to draft a business plan.  A restaurant business plan is like a roadmap to opening day. Creating a good business plan requires research into the local competition. It also forces you to create a budget and a long term forecast of sales. Basically, it makes you do your homework. Read more about the Basics of Restaurant Business Plans.

Has your restaurant ever offered a wine tasting? A restaurant wine tasting is an interesting promotion that can help attract new customers. If you aren't a vino connoisseur, don't let that deter you from hosting a wine tasting at your restaurant. With help from your local wine and beer rep, you can put together a stellar wine tasting menu in no time. Read on for more information about how your restaurant can host a wine tasting.