Restauranting

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.

This week we look at the basics of a restaurant layout including the entrance, waiting area, dining room, kitchen, bar and rest rooms. Depending on the size and style of your restaurant, your layout will vary. It's important to have a clear idea of what goes where, before you start buying equipment. Read on for more information.

Have you ever wondered where the idea for a restaurant came from? Or how restaurants have changed over the years? This week we look at the history of restaurants from ancient times to modern day, and everything in between. The earliest eateries date back to Ancient Rome and China with street food vendors. After the French Revolution left many aristocratic chefs unemployed, a new style of dining emerged: fine dining. Through the 19th and 20th Century restaurants continued to evolve, with chains, the rise of casual dining and a return to the farm for goods. Read on for the full story of the modern day restaurant.

If you are thinking of opening your own restaurant, there is a lot of  information to gather. You need a clear concept, an original name and good location, even before you sit down to write your business plan. As you get closer to opening day, you will need to buy equipment, hire staff and start spreading the word about the new place to eat in town. Read on for tips on getting ready to open a new restaurant.

Taco Bell recently announced its entry into the breakfast market, joining other restaurant chains like McDonalds and Starbucks. While breakfast might seem like a good business move- it offers low overhead and low food cost. You are already paying rent and utilities, so why not open a few hours earlier? However, not every restaurant concept is suited for serving breakfast. Find out why.

 Photo Credit: Jeflias