Luxurious Lodge Group Oetker Assortment Enters Metaverse With Drest
LONDON — Oetker Assortment, the hospitality group behind a number of the most interesting motels on the earth together with The Lanesborough, Le Bristol Paris and Lodge du Cap-Eden-Roc, is venturing into the metaverse with vogue gaming app Drest.
The feminine audience-led digital platform, based by former British vogue editor Lucy Yeomans, will enable customers to place collectively seems to be with items from greater than 250 designer vogue manufacturers for a digital every day photograph problem with motels from the Oetker Assortment as background.
Extra from WWD
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Oetker Assortment and collectively usher in a brand new period for journey experiences within the metaverse. Oetker Assortment’s stunning properties, in a number of the world’s most fascinating places, are actually iconic and synonymous with type and class, making them the proper companion for this, Drest’s newest gaming journey,” Yeomans stated.
Simon Neggers, senior vp of gross sales, advertising and communications at Oetker Assortment, added that the partnership with Drest “permits individuals to find Oetker Assortment motels in a enjoyable and immersive method and the interactive challenges actually carry the escapism and glamor of journey to life .”
Drest touted that this partnership marks the primary time a luxurious hospitality model will “allow significant model storytelling and discovery through cell gaming.”
Courtesy
As a part of the sport, gamers might be first transported to Le Bristol Paris to create a collection of haute couture-themed photograph shoots. Makes use of can even be capable of give you a temper board for his or her digital keep on the lodge.
After that, customers will go to the Lodge du Cap-Eden-Roc within the South of France for a summer time trip shoot with the lodge’s emblematic swimming pool as one of many backdrops, in addition to to the Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa close by Venice within the hills of the French Alps.
Throughout the English Channel in London, The Lanesborough by Hyde Park Nook will invite customers to decorate as if attending a lunch on the lodge’s new restaurant The Lanesborough Grill.
The problem can even come to the group’s different motels together with L’Apogée Courchevel in France; Brenners Park-Lodge & Spa in Baden-Baden; Eden Rock St Barths; Jumby Bay Island in Antigua; Palácio Tangara in São Paulo; The Woodward in Geneva, and Lodge La Palma in Capri all through the remainder of the yr.
Since 2020, Drest has collaborated with a slew of luxurious manufacturers together with Gucci, Cartier, Prada, Valentino and Nars on varied initiatives, in addition to with Natalia Vodianova, Treasured Lee, Irina Shayk, Imaan Hammam and Candice Huffine on the charitable Supermodel avatars program .
There are 342 luxurious manufacturers on the platform as of July 2022.
RELATED:
Drest Styling Recreation Tender-Launches With Gucci
Luxurious Vogue Recreation Drest Appoints New CEO
Drest Delves Into Positive Jewellery and Watches — With a Little Assist from Cartier
Join WWD’s E-newsletter. For the newest information, comply with us on Twitter, Fb, and Instagram.
Click on right here to learn the complete article.
.jpg "Beginning a Meals Truck Enterprise in India: A Full Information")
Beginning a Meals Truck Enterprise in India: A Full Information
The Indian meals business has witnessed many evolutionary modifications, one in all them being the introduction of meals vans. Although meals vans have been prevalent for the reason that final decade, it wasn’t till a few years again that the meals truck enterprise caught on.
Ranging from burgers and hotdogs to scrumptious South Indian meals and oh our favourite Chinese language delicacies, you’ll come throughout meals vans promoting quite a lot of cuisines within the nation. A number of elements have contributed to the expansion of this business sort, out of which financing is a main attribute. Contemplating all the pieces, the capital required to open and run a restaurant is colossal. Nevertheless, a meals truck may be opened with a complete capital of about INR 9 to 10 lakhs, which is most definitely an inexpensive vary.
Nevertheless, proudly owning a meals truck enterprise is undoubtedly a blossoming thought. That is why many aren’t conscious of all of the stipulations one has to satisfy to open and function a truck restaurant efficiently. Nevertheless, like all goals, your meals truck enterprise can be doable for those who stick round and browse how one can proceed! On this account, we’ve got mentioned all the pieces it’s good to know to open a meals truck enterprise.
1. Resolve your Delicacies
Your first job to do is to resolve the kind of meals you wish to serve. Like different industries, the meals business is split into a number of classes primarily based on the meals sort and the delicacies.
With out deciding your delicacies and menu first, continuing additional will set you on a path of failure. This resolution determines the truck measurement, the possible location for enterprise setup, the kinds of gear you want, and plenty of different attributes. inresto’s restaurant administration options are constructed to optimize your superb delicacies and menu varieties and allow you to keep away from waste and handle your meals stock successfully.
Listed below are a few of the well-liked meals cuisines which might be good for a meals truck enterprise:
- American dishes like burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, wraps, burritos, bagels, and others.
- Numerous fruits and vegetable juices, drinks, shakes, and smoothies.
- Genuine South Indian dishes like idli, sambar vada, dosa, uttapam, and so on.
2. Perceive the fee differentiation of beginning a meals truck
Each startup enterprise wants capital. Often, for the standard meals truck, the overall setup price is round 8 to 11 lakhs. Nevertheless, if you’d like a totally outfitted meals truck with superior gear and setup, the worth can improve as much as INR 16 to twenty lakhs.
Earlier than we transfer additional, let’s take a glimpse on the value differentiation to be able to perceive how a lot to spend for which function.
- For kinds of gear like cooking stations, fridge, microwave oven, furnishings, will price you as much as INR 2 to 2.5 lakhs.
- Since it’s good to purchase a truck, it’s good to spend round INR 3.5 to five lakhs primarily based on the truck’s quantity, options, and different attributes.
- You will want a list of uncooked supplies for cooking which is able to price you round INR 15 to 25 thousand each month primarily based on the quantity, the ingredient varieties, and gross sales. Click on right here to know extra about stock administration.
- If you’re working independently firstly of the enterprise, you will not have to fret in regards to the workers price. However, for those who rent a workers, their wage will probably be about INR 15 to twenty thousand monthly, per individual. We undoubtedly recommend that you simply rent at the least one individual on board so that there’s efficient administration. Whereas one is cooking, the opposite can take orders, serve, and accumulate funds.
3. Get the required meals licenses
With out correct licenses issued by the federal government, you will be unable to register what you are promoting and make your dream come true. So, earlier than you leap with pleasure on the thought of proudly owning a meals truck, put together for acquiring the licenses. Following are the authorized paperwork you’ll need for conducting the meals enterprise:
- If what you are promoting gross turnover is greater than INR 12 lakhs yearly, you’ll have to get the FSSAI license.
- NOC is required from the Chief Hearth Officer since proudly owning a meals truck means fireplace hazard, which implies that individuals’s lives are in peril, together with yours.
- Allowance letter from the municipality physique of the world the place you can be establishing the enterprise.
- Car license to register your meals truck enterprise with the federal government.
4. Select a correct location for the meals truck enterprise
.jpg)
Since it’s a truck, you can’t set it like an previous, conventional restaurant. It’s important to concentrate on the world and the highway from the place you’ll begin the meals enterprise. For selecting the situation, it’s good to take into account the three most essential attributes.
- It is advisable affirm with the municipality physique about your truck’s parking since each meals enterprise wants a spacious ambiance to function and serve meals easily.
- One other issue that can matter is visibility. Be sure that to decide on a location that’s usually visited by flocks of individuals. This can enable you to earn extra income as a result of most individuals wish to seize a small meal on their method slightly than going to a restaurant.
- To beat your competitors, you must look into methods to make your customer support and advertising distinctive and intuitive to construct a loyal diner base.
5. Get the required funds for the truck enterprise
In the event you can’t prepare all the cash required for opening the meals truck enterprise, you’ll be able to take assist from completely different financing strategies. For instance, a mortgage will enable you with the capital wanted to start out the truck and get all the pieces in movement.
6. Search for model advertising and promotion
Lastly, it’s good to market your model, and for that, it’s good to depend on ads and social media. Many firms supply promotion and advertising providers on the digital platform. You’ll be able to combine restaurant’s advertising options to simplify your advertising actions equivalent to social media advertising, personalized web site and on-line supply platform creation in your restaurant enterprise, and way more. This gives you much-needed publicity to what you are promoting, and shortly your buyer base will develop.
Closing verdict
Opening a meals truck enterprise may appear overwhelming at instances. However, in actuality, it is likely one of the best enterprise fashions to arrange. Comply with these straightforward steps and construct a profitable meals truck enterprise for your self.
An all-inclusive guide to restaurant branding
The food-service industry is both competitive and crowded; new establishments enter the market every day. In this environment, strong restaurant branding is a must. Well done, it can help your business stand out from the crowd and build customer loyalty.
What is restaurant branding?
Restaurant branding is the process of creating a recognizable identity for your restaurant. A great brand is both visual and experiential; it encompasses the different ways customers interact with the company. This includes visual components, such as your logo design, menu layout and signature colors, as well as big-picture elements, such as the brand voice and core values.
Branding helps you carve out a place for your restaurant in a challenging industry. It communicates how your establishment is different from competitors so customers can make an informed choice.
Think about the most popular restaurants you know — chances are, they have strong brand identities. That’s because successful restaurant branding comes with a few key benefits:
- Easier customer acquisition. A strong identity builds brand awareness and recognition, ensuring potential customers know about your restaurant and understand your unique selling proposition (USP). This familiarity increases the chances that diners will choose your establishment for their next meal.
- Higher customer retention rates. After a customer dines at your restaurant, your branding reminds them of the experience and encourages them to come back for more. Because it’s cheaper to retain existing customers than to find new ones, this perk can boost your bottom line.
- Better brand loyalty. When your brand messaging resonates deeply with customers who share the same values or preferences, it can build long-lasting brand loyalty. Loyal customers are more likely to try new foods, attend events and spend more money at your business.
- Consistent customer experience. When your branding is clear across all touchpoints, guests know they can rely on you to deliver a consistent experience. This can give your restaurant a competitive advantage when customers are in the mood for something specific.
- Increased order volume and revenue. If a customer loves your brand, they’re more likely to share it with friends and family. In many cases, a personal referral is all it takes to convince a new customer to try your restaurant.
- Easier hiring. A recognizable brand helps attract job seekers who fit your restaurant’s personality and values — a big advantage when it comes to hiring and retaining employees.
How to build a brand in the restaurant industry
Next to creating the menu, building a strong brand identity is one of the most impactful things you can do as a restaurant owner. Take your time with each step — an intentional, thoughtful process helps you get it right on the first try.
1. Research your target audience
Restaurants get nearly all of their business from dine-in customers and delivery orders. To succeed, your brand must meet the needs of the local market.
To start, determine how many of your customers are:
- Local residents
- Just passing through
- Tourists in the city or region
Then, break down each group into different demographics. How old are they? Why are they dining out? What are their dietary preferences? What are their priorities? What food do they like?
The more you know about your target audience, the easier it is to identify what they look for in a restaurant brand. Local health-conscious diners might want fresh ingredients, while college students are likely to prioritize price. People who are just passing through probably want a convenient location and fast service.
2. Define your restaurant brand
This is the most important step in the restaurant branding process: defining your brand. Your goal is to distill your business ideas into a clear, concise concept. Start by identifying key elements:
- Mission. This statement describes what your restaurant does. For example, the mission of sweetgreen is “building healthier communities by connecting people to real food.”
- Vision. A vision statement explains what you want your restaurant to achieve in the future. It gives your brand something to strive for.
- Brand values. These are the core beliefs that inform all your business decisions. For example, Chipotle’s brand values include “making food fresh every day,” “fighting for our planet” and “treating our people right.”
- Unique selling proposition. Your USP is the element that distinguishes you from competing restaurants in your area. It should be something that benefits customers, such as a unique atmosphere, new cuisine or fast service. Think about what sets your restaurant apart.
- brand positioning. This concept refers to how you position your brand to affect customer perception; it’s directly connected to your USP. You might position yourself as the go-to spot for healthy lunchtime takeout or the most romantic date-night restaurant in town. Think of how your restaurant will serve customers.
- Concept. A restaurant concept defines the overall theme, atmosphere and service type. This will help you when you start physically planning your restaurant.
- Signature dishes or ingredients. Identify the foods that will be the stars of your menu. This might include the chef’s specialty dishes, a unique local ingredient or seasonal ingredients.
- Aesthetic. Describe how you want the restaurant branding to look. It might be clean and modern, bold and colorful, or cozy and earthy.
It’s not uncommon to discover areas of overlap between different restaurant branding ideas. If you’re opening the only counter-service spot in town, for example, your restaurant concept might also be its USP.
3. Develop your brand identity
Now that you have a clear understanding of your restaurant brand, it’s time to create a brand identity — the elements that help customers recognize your company.
First, develop a strong foundation:
- Brand name. This is the name of your restaurant. It often conveys something specific about your location, personality, style or cuisine.
- Brand personalities. List the characteristics of your restaurant to explain the vibe and diner experience. You might use words such as fun, sophisticated, youthful, innovative or healthy.
- Brand voice. Your brand voice is the way you use words to express the restaurant’s personality in marketing materials, menu descriptions and customer communications. Consider your tone, vocabulary choices and style. A trendy bistro might use slang terms, and if you run a cozy local coffee shop, you could write as though you’re speaking to a friend.
- Brand stories. Write a short narrative that explains your restaurant’s origins, mission, vision and values. Keep this handy so you can add an “about us” section to your restaurant’s website further down the line.
Finally, it’s time to create the most recognizable part of a brand: the visual elements. These are the things that create the look and feel of your brand. At a minimum, you should:
As you develop these visual brand elements, ensure each one reflects the intangible elements of your restaurant — namely, its personality and style. If you’re building a fun, family-friendly restaurant, you can use playful fonts, bold colors and saturated food photos on the menu. A fine-dining establishment might opt for script fonts, a sparse menu design and black-and-white photos.
For a restaurant, interior design is an extension of the brand’s visual identity. It should match the overall aesthetic of your logo, fonts and colors to create a cohesive brand image and a consistent experience.
4. Create a restaurant branding strategy
The last step in restaurant branding is getting your new brand in front of your target audience. Use a variety of marketing tactics to build name recognition and awareness.
- social media Build profiles on popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This is one of the best ways to directly connect with customers and introduce them to your brand. Use your visual identity elements wherever possible to help customers recognize your brand. Individual posts are a great place to showcase and refine your brand voice.
- Email marketing. Collect email addresses from your guests and/or buy access to local mailing lists. Send marketing emails to promote specials, new menu items and events.
- Influencer marketing. Pay local micro food influencers to promote your restaurant to their blog readers and social media followers. Social media influencers can have a direct impact on growing your brand’s reach.
- Online ordering. Build visibility among local diners by putting your restaurant on an online ordering platform such as Grubhub. This will give your restaurant instant access to a large cohort of customers.
Branding best practices
Restaurant branding is different for every company; your brand strategy should be tailored to your business, food and guests. To build a successful restaurant brand, use these best practices:
- Create brand guidelines to maintain consistency for visual elements and food photos.
- Make sure your messaging is clear and consistent from channel to channel.
- Build brand integrity with friendly, helpful customer service.
- Respond to customer comments and reviews using your brand voice.
- Share your brand story on social media accounts.
- Post regularly on your blog and social media to increase brand awareness.
- Hone in on your company’s unique qualities to develop a one-of-a-kind brand.
- Add branding elements to your to-go and delivery packaging.
By following these tips you can design a restaurant brand that will strongly resonate with customers and grow your ROI.
Grow your brand with a trusted partner
The more exposure customers have to your restaurant branding elements, the more familiar they become. Your delivery partner can be a valuable asset — a reputable platform like Grubhub gets your restaurant and menu in front of customers who are actively looking for new places to eat. Sign up today to start increasing order volume and building brand awareness.
Social Media Holidays Your Restaurant Marketing Can’t Miss
There are thousands of restaurants in the United States serving up dishes from juicy hamburgers to steamy ramen and everything in between. Depending on the specific area, consumers may have dozens or even hundreds of restaurants to choose from. So how are diners deciding where they’ll ultimately eat?
It turns out there are lots of reasons consumers might choose a particular restaurant. About one-third of people consider guest reviews, and some 90% check out restaurants online before dining there. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly each potential guest is looking for, but it’s likely a combination of these factors:
- Does the food seem appealing?
- Do the menus, ingredients, and overall aesthetics reflect seasonality?
- What promotions are in place that make the restaurant seem especially enticing?
When all three of those factors are in play, you hopefully have an important aspect to convey to consumers: excitement. Luckily, incorporating social media holidays into your marketing strategy helps you do just that.
Creative marketing promotions are one of the keys to attracting guests to your restaurant. This same inspiration can be used to fuel seasonal menus, the look and feel of your restaurant’s social media presence, and so much more.
Here’s a look at social media holidays that you can use to get diners hyped up enough to either make a reservation or order delivery all summer long.
Why are social media calendars important?
As a restaurant owner, you have a lot on your plate. With plenty going on, you shouldn’t be spending hours every day trying to figure out what kind of post should go on your social media and how promotions can shape your menu. This is why having a marketing calendar is so important.
Having a social media calendar to follow, similar to our 2023 National Food Holiday calendar, gives you a road map. By using a calendar, you’ll have all your promotions laid out so you can batch content (AKA, create a bunch of collateral at one time so you can schedule posts in advance).
This way, you’ll streamline your marketing operations and free up both time and money so you’re not rushing around figuring out what to promote next and how you should do it.
Use these affordable marketing tools to help with everything from content creation to email marketing to commission-free online ordering.
“Micro holidays” Random and weird days worth celebrating
Micro holidays are those not-quite-real holidays like World Emoji Day (July 17) and National Pizza Party Day (May 19) that may not get you a day off school, but are still fun to observe.
Many people call these micro holidays “social media holidays” because they’re so popular on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Companies use micro holidays in their marketing campaigns as a way to connect with consumers and encourage engagement.
Restaurants can do the exact same thing. By harnessing the power of social media holidays and national food holidays, restaurants can drum up positive interest and engagement.
How to incorporate 2023 social media holidays in your restaurant promotions
While many social media holidays involve non-food people, places or things — Talk Like a Pirate Day, anyone? — there are also a ton of National Food Holidays that are tailor-made for restaurants.
Download our Guide to National Food Holidays to learn how to level up your promotional marketing as well as to spruce up your social media food grams. Don’t miss out on holidays that give your customers an excuse to celebrate food and gift themselves or a loved one with some delicious restaurant delivery.
Take National Ice Cream Day, for example. Bloomberg research shows that 391,000 posts were made with the hashtag #NationalIceCreamDay in 2022, and there were more than 6.6 million YouTube videos made on the same topic. Major traction. And that translates into sales too, with ice cream sellers seeing a sales spice of 15-20% on average.
Pick a holiday that resonates with your restaurant or one you think will resonate with guests. Then create fun graphics to promote the holiday itself, with additional content ready to highlight any deals you’re running, such as a special menu item or a limited-time discount.
When you sign up for Direct, you also get access to customer data you can use to spread the word, including powering your own branded email campaigns. With your own free ordering website and zero marketing fees, your restaurant can invest in the promotions your diners deserve.
Visit our blog post for even more ideas on how to use the top National Food Holidays of 2022 for your restaurant marketing strategy.
What 2023 social media holidays are coming up next?
Once you’ve downloaded the National Food Holiday calendar, be sure to check out and incorporate a few non-food related social media holidays, too. These holidays may not be solely food-focused, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate ingredients, dishes, and drinks that are on theme.
Think of each holiday as an opportunity. You’ll want to grab some with both hands, peppering your social media with hilarious memes giving a nod to National Selfie Day, while piggybacking on popular associated hashtags to help consumers discover your restaurant.
You can also celebrate holidays that align with your restaurant’s values, like posting a screenshot of a donation your restaurant made in honor of #EndangeredSpeciesDay (May 19).
Or, kick off a cross-promotional campaign to deal with other restaurants by sharing a picture of your staff eating a neighboring eatery’s signature donuts for #NationalDonutDay (June 2).
A few quick tips:
- Use hashtags to take advantage of algorithms and become more discoverable for consumers interested in that particular social media holiday
- Avoid going overboard — pick a few holidays to concentrate on rather than posting about every single one of them
- Always aim for authenticity. Go all out for the holidays that make the most sense for your restaurant and underlying mission, then add just a few extra fun ones to keep up with the trends
Luckily, we’ve done the work for you and gathered all the major summer social media holidays. Add these opportunities to your social media calendar and get to work on some fun promotional posts!
May 2023 Social Media Holidays
May is a major month for food holidays, including celebrations like Cinco de Mayo that aren’t necessarily about food but certainly contain a lot of it. This is also a big month for alcohol delivery. Be sure to read up on alcohol to-go trends of 2023 to make sure you have the right systems in place to succeed.
May is also Asian Heritage Month, Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.
- May 1: International Workers Day #IntWorkersDay
- May 3: National Teacher Appreciation Day #ThankATeacher
- May 4: Star Wars Day #StarWarsDay and #Maythe4thBeWithYou
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo #CincoDeMayo
- May 6: National Nurses Day #NursesDay
- May 9: Europe Day #EuropeDay
- May 10: National Receptionist Day #NationalReceptionistDay
- May 14: Mother’s Day #MothersDay
- May 15: International Day of Families #FamilyDay
- May 16: Love a Tree Day #LoveATreeDay
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia #IDAHOT2023 and World Baking Day #MakingDay
- May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day #GAAD
- May 19: National Bike to Work Day #BTWD
- May 21: World Meditation Day #WorldMeditationDay
- May 29: Memorial Day #MemorialDay
June 2023 Social Media Holidays
June brings us food holiday winners like National Rotisserie Chicken Day, National Cheese Day and National Smoothie Day. You’ve also got Father’s Day on the way – perhaps a great day to advertise picnic baskets or BBQ? June is also Pride Month, Great Outdoors Month and National Adopt a Cat Month.
- June 1: Global Day of Parents #GlobalDayOfParents
- June 4: National Donut Day #NationalDonutDay
- June 5: World Environment Day #EnvironmentDay
- June 6: National Higher Education Day #HigherEducationDay
- June 7: Global Running Day #GlobalRunningDay
- June 8: National Best Friends Day #BestFriendsDay and World Oceans Day #WorldOceansDay
- June 11: International Children’s Day #ChildrensDay
- June 12: Superman Day #SupermanDay
- June 14: World Blood Donor Day #GiveBlood and Flag Day #FlagDay
- June 18: International Picnic Day #Picnic Day, Autistic Pride Day #AutisticPride and Father’s Day #HappyFathersDay
- June 19: Juneteenth (Freedom Day) #Juneteenth
- June 20: World Refugee Day #WithRefugees
- June 21: National Selfie Day #NationalSelfieDay and World Music Day #WorldMusicDay
- June 23: Take Your to Work Day #TakeYourDogToWorkDay
- June 30: Social Media Day #SMDay #SocialMediaDay
July 2023 Social Media Holidays
Bring on the ballpark snacks and summer treats! July is a foodie’s dream, with National Food Holidays like Blueberry Muffin Day, National Drive-Thru Day and National Hot Fudge Sundae Day all on the calendar.
The month offers lots of opportunities for creativity, as July is National Disability Pride Month, National Ice Cream Month and National Make a Difference to Children Month, too.
- July 1: National Postal Worker Day #NationalPostalWorkerDay
- July 3: International Plastic Bag Free Day #PlasticBagFree
- July 4: Independence Day #Happy4th #JulyFourth
- July 7: World Chocolate Day #WorldChocolateDay
- July 11: Cheer Up the Lonely Day #CheerUpTheLonelyDay
- July 12: Simplicity Day #SimplicityDay
- July 16: National Ice Cream Day #IceCreamDay
- July 17: World Emoji Day #WorldEmojiDay
- July 20: Get to Know Your Customers Day #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay
- July 21: Junk Food Day #JunkFoodDay
- July 23: Parents’ Day #ParentsDay
- July 24: International Self-Care Day #SelfCareDay
- July 30: International Day of Friendship #DayOfFriendship
- July 31: National Avocado Day #NationalAvocadoDay #AvocadoDay
August 2023 Social Media Holidays
Wind up your summer social media holiday calendar with August’s slate of yummy days, including National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, National Fajita Day and National Chop Suey Day. Yum!
August is also Black Business Month, Back to School Month and National Sandwich Month.
- August 1: National Girlfriends Day #GirlfriendsDay
- August 2: National Coloring Book Day #NationalColoringBookDay
- August 3: National Watermelon Day #NationalWatermelonDay
- August 4: International Beer Day #InternationalBeerDay
- August 8: Happiness Happens Day #HappinessHappensDay and International Cat Day #CatDay
- August 10: National Lazy Day #LazyDay
- August 11: National Son and Daughter Day #SonsAndDaughtersDay
- August 12: International Youth Day #YouthDay
- August 13: Left-Handers Day #LeftHandersDay
- August 15: Relaxation Day #RelaxationDay
- August 16: National Tell a Joke Day #NationalTellAJokeDay
- August 17: National Nonprofit Day #NationalNonprofitDay
- August 19: World Photography Day #WorldPhotographyDay and World Humanitarian Day #WorldHumanitarianDay
- August 21: Senior Citizens Day #SeniorCitizensDay
- August 26: Dog Appreciation Day #DogAppreciationDay #NationalDogDay and National Women’s Equality Day #Women’sEqualityDay
Market your restaurant with Grubhub
It’s crucial that restaurants find ways to reach diners year-round. One of the easiest ways to do this is to leverage holidays — both the official ones and the social media holidays designed with fun and creativity in mind.
Make life easier by creating a strategic marketing plan ahead of time, and use the list above along with our National Food Holidays guide to shape your calendar and choose points of focus. For even more help, make sure you’re a part of the best and fastest-growing third-party delivery app to ensure your promotions and delicious menus are being seen by diners in your area.
Sign up for Grubhub Marketplace today to see how you can build a competitive marketing and promotional strategy using our expertise and tools.
Chef vs Cook: What’s the Difference?
The terms “chef” and “cook” are often used interchangeably. While they’re similar, the two positions often have different backgrounds and responsibilities. When you’re hiring restaurant employees, it’s important to understand the nuances of chef vs. cook roles.
Chefs vs. cook: what each role means
The concept of chef vs. cook can vary from restaurant to restaurant. After all, both positions are responsible for preparing ingredients and cooking the food that’s served to customers.
In a commercial kitchen, a chef usually has formal culinary training and experience — and high-level responsibilities. They might supervise lower-level employees, develop recipes, cook food and ensure the kitchen runs smoothly.
Cooks also prepare food, but they have more flexibility in terms of education and experience. Small, casual restaurants may not require formal training at all; cook jobs may be entry level or have minimal experience requirements.
Some restaurants have both chefs and cooks; others have one or the other. In a small restaurant, the chef and cook may be the same person. Larger kitchens typically have multiple types of chefs and/or cooks, each with nuanced roles.
In general, cooks are more common in chains, casual restaurants and small eaters. You’ll often find chefs in high-end restaurants and fine-dining establishments.
How do you become a chef or cook?
Education is the core of the difference between chef vs. cook roles. To become a chef, workers must typically attend culinary school. After that, they often start with a commis chef position and work their way up through the ranks of different restaurant kitchens.
Cook positions don’t usually require a culinary school degree. Many cooks start out with entry-level prep cook jobs. As they learn new recipes, build food-prep skills and gain experience, they can move up to line cook and head cook jobs.
What are the different classifications of kitchen roles?
“Chefs vs. cook” is a high-level classification; many restaurants have multiple positions within each category.
Common chef jobs include:
- executivechef. The highest-ranking chef in a kitchen, this person is in charge of top-level tasks such as developing a menu, creating recipes, tracking kitchen operations, managing the food-purchasing process, maintaining inventory and creating and sticking to a budget. Interestingly, executive chefs don’t typically spend much time cooking on a daily basis; their duties are primarily managerial.
- headchef. This role, also called the chef de cuisine, has a more hands-on supervisory role in the kitchen. They manage meal service, track food quality, and make sure kitchen staff members are working efficiently throughout each shift. Many head chefs spend time cooking. In smaller restaurants, the head chef may also take on the responsibility of the executive chef.
- Souschef. “Sous” means “below” in French; in a restaurant hierarchy, the sous chef is directly below the head chef and/or executive chef. They cook and help manage other kitchen staff, particularly when the head chef is unavailable. This position is common in restaurants with large kitchen teams.
- Chefs de partie. These chefs are responsible for individual stations in a kitchen. They might specialize in tasks such as making sauces, pastries, or vegetables. In some restaurants, they handle tasks including frying, grilling or roasting.
- Commischef. The lowest-ranked chefs, these workers support chefs de partie. They might prepare ingredients, help with cooking, or take on any task that occurs during a shift.
Types of cooks include:
- Head cook. This person is in charge of the kitchen; in a small business, the owner may even take on the role. They manage workers, train other cooks, and ensure dishes are prepared correctly and consistently. Head chefs are usually highly experienced; many have formal culinary education.
- Linecook. Line cooks have jobs that are similar to a chef de partie — the person responsible for a specific part of the “line,” or the kitchen operations.
- Prep cook. The lowest-ranking cooks in a kitchen, these employees get ingredients ready for a meal service. They might chop food, prepare cuts of meat, make salads or help chefs with simple cooking tasks. Prep cooks may also ensure that their areas are clean and sanitized.
The number of kitchen roles your restaurant needs depends on a number of factors. Restaurants with high-end or highly specialized menus often need more chefs, each with targeted experience or a unique set of skills. Bigger restaurants often require a larger staff to maintain consistent food quality and manage the sheer volume of customer orders.
Pros and cons of being a chef
For people who are considering a chef vs. cook career, the right path isn’t always clear. After all, a professional chef title commands respect, but it also takes time and money to earn high-ranking positions. The process can be so demanding, in fact, that many people choose to skip culinary school and work their way into a head cook position. Naturally, there are pros and cons to both approaches.
Pros of being a chef
- High earning potential
- Flexible career paths
- Skill-building opportunities
Cons of being a chef
- Requires a culinary degree
- Long hours
- Requires physical work
Hire a chef or cook for your restaurant
If you’re deciding whether to hire a chef or a cook for your restaurant, consider your priorities. A seasoned cook can offer practical knowledge and exceptional cooking skills, and they may accept a lower salary than a formally trained chef.
It doesn’t matter who you hire to lead your kitchen, it’s always important to create a good relationship with your staff to curb turnover. Implementing employee recognition ideas can make everyone who works at your restaurant feel valued — from the executive chef down to commission chefs and hosts.
Professional chefs require higher salaries, but they bring the benefits of a professional culinary education — specialized training, industry insights and connections that can benefit your business. Chefs can be a valuable resource in helping you grow the restaurant while controlling costs and maintaining food quality. No matter where your restaurant falls on the chef vs. cook spectrum, a skilled professional can help you build a stable, lasting business. As you look for ways to expand operations or increase revenue, a strong delivery presence is a must. Partner with Grubhub to reach a variety of local customers and introduce more diners to your food.
How to get a liquor license
Alcohol can be a profitable revenue stream for your restaurant. It’s an easy win — the markup is high, the labor requirements are low, and the product has a long shelf life. In fact, the average restaurant makes about 20% to 25% of its income from alcohol sales. Before you can add beer, wine or spirits to your menu, however, you’ll need a valid liquor license.
What is a liquor license?
A liquor license is the permit you need to make, distribute or sell alcohol legally. These licenses are usually issued by your state, but counties and cities may also set additional restrictions. While each area has its own rules, most liquor licenses regulate factors such as:
- The types of liquor you can sell
- When you can sell alcohol
- Where customers can consume the alcohol they buy
- Limits on alcohol sales
- Who can buy alcohol from you
- Price limits on alcohol
It’s important to understand the specific liquor laws for your state, county and city — after all, you’ll need a license before you can sell a single drink. Most areas offer several license classes to suit different establishments. Common classes include:
- Beer and wine. These licenses allow you to sell beer, wine, cider and occasionally other malt beverages. Most areas have distinct beer and wine licenses for bars, restaurants, wineries, breweries and catering businesses.
- All-liquor. This license goes by many names, but it typically permits you to sell beer, wine and spirits.
- Tavern. A tavern license is designed for establishments where alcohol makes up the majority of sales.
- Hotel. Hotels that serve alcohol on the premises need this type of license, which may offer both on-premises and off-premises consumption.
- Brewing. A brewing license allows an establishment to brew its own beer and sell it to customers. Other licenses may also be required.
Most states have multiple variations on these licenses that specify whether you need to sell food, if customers can take their drinks to go and rules for live entertainment. Make sure to start early; the application process can take months.
How to get a liquor license
Your state’s liquor-control body, which is often called the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), typically handles the licensing process. It can tell you how to get a liquor license and advise you of any local laws that might affect the process. Some states require you to have a seller’s permit and appropriate business tax registrations before you can apply.
The process can vary by state, county and city but usually involves a variation of these steps:
- File an application. Contact your state’s ABC and file an application. You may be able to apply online; in certain areas, however, you’ll need to bring the application to the nearest ABC office. Expect to pay an application fee. You may also be able to apply for a temporary permit to sell alcoholic beverages before the official review process is complete.
- Post a public notice. Many areas require you to post a public notice in your restaurant to let customers know you’re applying for a liquor license. Certain states have additional rules for publishing a notice in the local newspaper or advising neighboring homes and businesses about your plans.
- Pay license fees. Depending on your area, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $4,000 or more. There may also be additional fees if you need inspections or multiple licenses. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee every 1 or 2 years.
- Wait for the licensing review. During this process, which can take anywhere from 1 month to 1 year, officials review your application. They’re likely to investigate you and your premises, as well as local laws. If you qualify, the state will either mail or hand-deliver your license.
- Post license and required notices. Most states require you to display your physical liquor license behind glass. Some also require alcohol warnings for minors and pregnant people.
Given the potential length of the application review, it’s important to integrate it into your planning process. Expect delays if issues arise or if your state has met its quota for new liquor licenses. If that’s the case, you will likely need to make do with a beer and wine permit until the next period begins.
Other bar licenses you may need
The liquor licensing process can be complex; you may need more than one permit, depending on the structure of your business. For example, if you plan to host live music, you’ll often need a separate license. In New York, it’s called a cabaret liquor license. Michigan has separate permits for businesses that offer catering, dancing, or entertainment. If you’re offering food, plan to get a health permit and a food service license.
You might also need a special alcoholic beverages license to:
- Offer extended hours
- Sell liquor at a secondary location
- host events
- Have a second bar
- Selling alcohol to members only
- Operate at a private golf club or a ballpark
Each license comes with its own fee, which could be anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more. Most licenses are administered through the state ABC, but your city council may have additional requirements when you’re applying for a new license; the city clerk can provide details.
Grow your alcohol selection with Grubhub
Since 2020, alcohol delivery has been a growing trend; customers appreciate the ability to enjoy a drink with their meals at home. A number of states now allow restaurants to offer alcoholic beverages in addition to their regular menu. It can be a worthwhile investment — on Grubhub, the average order value increases by $14-$15 when you add alcohol.
If your state permits, Grubhub makes it easy to add alcohol to your delivery menu. You’ll need to package drinks separately and advise customers that delivery drivers will check IDs at the time of drop-off. You can streamline the process by taking steps to optimize your restaurant for beverage delivery. Choose secure packaging, for example, and make sure to provide insulation for hot or cold drinks.
Whether you’re hoping to offer alcohol sales on-site or with delivery orders, a liquor license is a must. Start the process well in advance and you can be ready to serve drinks as soon as you open them to the public.
Your guide to great food critic reviews
Restaurateurs understand the weight of food critic reviews. A negative review could threaten to shut a restaurant’s doors, while a positive review can make a restaurant fill up reservations for weeks. In an industry where the approval of your work can make or break your business, it can be nerve racking to interact with food critics. To increase your chances of a positive rating, make sure your restaurant is prepared for a critic’s visit.
The role of a food critic
A food critic’s job is to visit restaurants, try the food, and write about the experience. Depending on the publication, the reviewer might also provide a rating. The purpose of a critic’s reviews is to educate readers about what to expect and help them make an informed decision about whether the restaurant is right for them.
Traditional food critics — those who write for newspapers and magazines — are usually reputable trained journalists. This formal education helps them apply consistent standards and write fairly about each establishment. Many critics have years of experience writing about food, restaurants, food service, chefs, and industry trends. They’re well-versed in different cuisines, cooking styles and service types.
Unlike other journalists, a restaurant critic needs a few specific, intangible skills — namely, a nuanced palette and few (if any) food aversions. That way, they can eat and write about a wide range of dishes without incorporating personal bias. Because they go incognito at restaurants, critics must be able to order and pay for meals without attracting attention.
Guidelines food critics follow
When a food journalist tries a restaurant, they pay close attention to every aspect of the experience. From the moment they walked in the door, they’re observing the decor, service, atmosphere and — of course — the food. Most publications require that their food writers follow a set of guidelines to ensure a fair reviewing process.
- Anonymity: To avoid special treatment, critics try hard to blend in with the rest of the patrons at a food establishment. Their goal is to get the same experience as any other customer. To that end, they rarely use their own names when making reservations.
- Range: Most critics try to taste a wide variety of recipes, often over the course of two or three visits. They typically order items from all parts of the menu, paying close attention to different ingredients and cooking techniques. This strategy gives them a better sense of the menu as well as the service experience. In many cases, a writer will bring a few guests to accommodate large orders without creating a spectacle.
- No gifts: In most cases, the publication pays for the critic’s meals. They don’t accept free or discounted meals to preserve the integrity of their reviews.
- Accuracy: Like any good journalist, a food critic strives for accuracy in every word. They double-check facts and verify that any claims they make are correct before the review is published.
Reputable critics understand that their words can have a very real effect on a business’s future; they go to great lengths to be fair and honest. Most publications establish a standard rating scale to help customers compare options at different price points. After a restaurant opens, writers usually wait a few weeks to review it; that way, the team has time to refine their operations and build key skills.
Wondering what standards your restaurant needs to meet? Some factors food critics consider include:
- Flavor and freshness of food
- Expertise of food preparation
- Selection of menu items
- Quality of service
- Atmosphere of the restaurant
- Price
Context is important, especially when it comes to service and atmosphere. After all, customers expect a different level of attentiveness and elegance at a fine-dining restaurant than they do at a diner. Critics take this into consideration when giving ratings.
In the age of blogs and social media, restaurant reviews can come from a variety of sources. While professional reviewers usually stick to journalistic standards, informal critics aren’t bound by the same standards.
How to earn a 5-star review
When you run a restaurant, you never know which patron could be a food critic. The best way to earn a good review is to create a consistent experience for all customers. Below are some tips and best practices.
- Focus on quality. Great meals start with high-quality ingredients. To preserve quality, make sure food is served quickly and stored safely.
- Refine your recipes. Narrow the selection to include meals customers respond well to. Choose dishes your kitchen staff can prepare well every time. Take a look at more tips on perfecting your menu.
- Train your staff. Make sure they understand skills such as speaking to customers, processing transactions, clearing tables, and serving food in a way that matches the atmosphere of the restaurant. This is particularly important for fine-dining restaurants, where customer expectations are higher.
- Offer efficient, friendly service. Customer-facing staff should aim to be friendly and welcoming but not intrusive. They should also be able to gauge what each table needs in terms of timing and interaction.
- Ask for feedback. Offer comment cards, send out surveys by email, or poll customers on social media. Use the responses to improve your operations.
The best part? When you maintain high standards for food critics, you’re more likely to receive more positive customer reviews on social media and Google Reviews. The same is true across more informal types of food writing, including blogs and online publications.
Steer clear of these common restaurant mistakes
Despite their attempts at anonymity, food critics occasionally become recognizable. In some cases, you might receive a tip that a food writer is on your reservation list. If that happens, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes.
- Don’t provide unusual services. If a food critic notices they’re getting preferential treatment, they’re likely to compare it to the service other tables are getting. When the difference is drastic, it can reflect unfavorably on the restaurant.
- Don’t gawk. Ask your servers and front-of-house staff to avoid staring at the critic; aim to create a standard, welcoming experience.
- Don’t interrupt the meal. Avoid the temptation to be overzealous with your service. Instead, give the critic time to taste and enjoy their meal.
- Don’t offer freebies. A trusted food critic with experience won’t accept meals for free. When you make the offer, even if it’s well-intentioned, it may seem like you’re trying to manipulate the situation.
By showing a critic what it’s truly like to dine in your restaurant, you can create a positive and realistic experience. Without excess attention, the reviewers have time to focus on the food – they can appreciate each detail of the restaurant and represent you fairly in their food writing.
Restaurant Logo Ideas | Grubhub for Restaurants
Your restaurant’s logo is the most recognizable and influential part of your restaurant’s brand — it helps your company stand out in a crowd and creates a strong connection with customers. Logos create a visual and emotional tie between customers and their favorite brands. If you ask the average diner what a McDonald’s logo looks like or what colors the Domino’s logo has, they probably can answer at the drop of a hat. Creating a logo that resonates with customers can help make your restaurant more recognizable, keeping your brand on customers’ minds.
If your logo is ready for a refresh, it’s helpful to start by browsing popular restaurant logo ideas. When you can pinpoint why certain designs are successful, it’s easier to create a logo that elevates your company’s visual branding.
Restaurant branding: what makes it important?
Branding is the way you convey your restaurant’s identity and distinguish it from competitors. A brand consists of multiple components, including its values, visual identity, messaging, and unique selling proposition.
The visual identity of a brand — the fonts, colors, and graphics that represent the company — helps shape the public perception of your restaurant. Done well, these elements can create a positive impression even before diners take their first bite. Done poorly, they can turn off customers and prevent them from giving your food a chance.
Branding also helps potential customers understand your business. Your logo, in particular, provides clues about the style and type of food you serve. That’s why vegan and vegetarian restaurants often use leaf imagery and shades of green; because these elements are associated with fresh, healthy and natural food, they signal that a restaurant serves plant-based cuisine. Likewise, fine-dining restaurant logo designs tend to use delicate fonts and sparse, abstract imagery to convey exclusivity and elegance.
A strong logo is essential to building brand awareness — the extent to which the public is familiar with your restaurant’s name and visual identity. Think about the biggest brands in the world; chances are, you can picture their logos immediately. That’s because they’re distinctive, simple, and tied strongly to the company’s identity.
When you’re looking for ways to boost your digital restaurant branding strategy, a great logo is a must. With the prevalence of logo makers and logo templates, creating a stunning design has never been more accessible.
Key elements of good logo design
Logos might seem simple, but the graphic design process is surprisingly detailed. Whether you’re using a restaurant logo maker or working with a marketing agency, make sure to keep these rules in mind:
- Keep it simple. Your logo will be published in a wide variety of sizes across both digital and print mediums. Minimal detailing makes it easier to read, even at the smallest sizes.
- Make it striking. The most memorable restaurant logos use at least one bold element. The McDonald’s logo, with its oversized “M” and bright yellow and red color scheme, is a good example.
- stay with the times. There’s a reason restaurant logos change over time — they need to keep up with changing customer preferences for design and style. The best logos feel contemporary, but not trendy.
- Be original. It’s easy to fall back on cliches or copy existing logos, but originality can help your business stand out from the crowd.
- Follow design rules. Stick to two critical principles of good restaurant logo design: balance and proportion. Logos that are off-balance or disproportionate tend to make customers feel uncomfortable.
Most logos have two key parts: the wordmark and the mark. The wordmark consists of the logo’s text — usually, the name of your restaurant. The mark, which is also called the logomark, is the graphical element. It might be an image, an icon or a shape. On the Taco Bell logo, the mark is the brand’s iconic bell.
Keep in mind that some logos use a wordmark only. When that happens, the designer typically selects an eye-catching font to help the logo stand out. Your design might also include a tagline or a frame.
4 restaurants logo ideas
Graphic designers tend to use a few similar patterns when creating restaurant logos. As you’re searching for restaurant branding inspiration, consider these four tried-and-true layout ideas:
- Wordmark only. Simple and clean, these logos are the easiest to make; just select a font and add color. This style is popular with upscale restaurants such as Noma and The Wolseley.
- Separate wordmarks and marks. This type of logo features the name of your restaurant below or to the right of a graphic mark. An example is the Dunkin’ Donuts logo, which features a cup of coffee positioned next to the stacked brand name.
- Wordmark framed by graphic. For a strong visual statement, frame your restaurant name with your mark. Arby’s logo follows this pattern; the name sits in the center of a cowboy hat.
- Wordmarks with taglines. If your tagline is essential to your food business’s brand, this option can help you incorporate it elegantly. Make sure to create a hierarchy by placing the tagline below the restaurant name in a smaller font. Most brands use this format sparingly; occasionally, you’ll see the McDonald’s logo paired with “I’m lovin’ it” or the Papa John’s logo positioned above “Better ingredients. Better Pizza.”
When restaurants rebrand, their new logos can attract a great deal of attention. Olive Garden is a prime example — their 2014 logo redesign revealed a cleaner, more modern look that marked a significant departure from the dated, overly detailed original. Starbucks has also evolved its logo over the years to keep up with changing design styles, all while maintaining an instantly recognizable visual identity and consistent imagery.
Tips for making a restaurant logo
As you create a logo design for your restaurant, choose each element carefully. The fonts, colors and graphics you choose will affect how customers view your brand.
Font selection, in particular, is critical. To start, pick an option that’s easy to read, even at small sizes. Then, look for styles that represent the personality of your restaurant. It’s usually best to avoid polarizing fonts that elicit strong negative reactions, such as Papyrus and Comic Sans.
Logo colors are important because they’re tied to both emotions and stereotypes. Seafood restaurants often use blue because of its association with the ocean. Mexican restaurants often use orange and yellow; these warm shades hint at spicy food and colorful cultural imagery. Red is a popular color among fast-food restaurants because it’s powerful, it’s energetic, and it stands out in a crowded environment.
When it comes to graphics, proceed with caution. The best logos stick to simplified silhouettes that relate directly to the brand. The Sonic logo, for example, features shapes that hint at a vintage drive-in sign.
Finding the right placement for your restaurant logo
Before you finalize the graphic design of your logo, make sure it will work on different marketing channels. After all, you’ll want to place it in multiple locations to reinforce your restaurant branding. At a minimum, it should appear on:
- Print and digital menus
- Restaurant signage
- Business cards
- Printed brochures, coupons, and flyers
- Social media profiles
- staff uniforms
- Professional e-mail signatures
- Business merchandise
- Restaurant website
- Branded delivery websites from services such as Grubhub Direct
- Food delivery apps
Your logo plays a big role in the way the public sees your restaurant. By spending the time to create a strong design and placing it prominently on all key marketing materials, you can build stronger brand awareness and keep your company at the top of customers’ minds.
Are you ready to get your logo in front of more customers? Partner with Grubhub today to help market your brand and drive more orders to your restaurant.