TIPS FOR THE TRADE
MAY NEWSLETTER

HAPPY EMPLOYEES = HAPPY CUSTOMERS

You're not alone; praising didn't come naturally to me either. Today's Generation X and Generation Y kids look and feel differently than we did. Kids these days need to hear they're doing well in order to work their best. Here are a few tips that some of our service friends want us as owners and managers to hear. Let's face it, we can't run a restaurant all by our "Type A- selves."

-- Jeffrey Yarbrough, CEO, bigInk

Many times customers judge your restaurant based on the quality and friendliness of the wait staff.
So if your employees are unhappy, chances are they're going to make your customers unhappy.

"He won’t listen to me!"

  • Listen to the concerns and complaints of your employees. Try to move beyond the employer-employee relationship and gain their trust by answering their complaints and concerns as conscientiously as you would a customer's.
"I can't STAND working with that jackass!"
  • Quash any altercations your employees might have amongst each other. Remove any troublesome staff from your schedule, no matter how skilled or experienced they may be. Keeping a troublesome employee just because they're experienced only encourages future problems.
"I want on the schedule with Johnny."
  • Find out who works well together and create a "dream team" for those busy nights and big events.
"Excellent service the other night! Ask for Jill. She knows her stuff."
  • Encourage your customers to write reviews on your employees via social media or email. This will help to keep your employees accountable and will allow you to gauge their performance. Reward the employee with the most favorable reviews.

Give your employees a reason to brag about where they work. This month, focus on improving your turnover rate by listening to your employees as well as your customers. Make sure your customers aren't the only ones who brag about your restaurant. Remember, this generation's wait staff all got trophies as kids.

TEXAS OUTLAW PARTY APPROACHES!

Texas culinary superstar Bryce Gilmore, chef and owner of Barley Swine in Austin, Texas, will be at the Texas Outlaw Party during the Aspen Classic. Gilmore was recently honored by Food and Wine magazine as one of the top 10 Best New Chefs of 2011. Notable Texas Outlaw hosts include Chef Kevin Williams, Ranch 616, National Pork Board, Coquerel Family Wines, Don Q Rum, Tito's Vodka and Shiner Beer. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet culinary experts while enjoying Texas beer, wine, cocktails and fantastic pork dishes!

It's not too late to promote your brand and gain a following by signing up to become a 2011 Texas Outlaw Posse Member. Expose your restaurant or brand to an elite group of industry executives, national and local media, and restaurateurs. If you're interested in being a 2011 Texas Outlaw Posse Member or looking for larger sponsorship opportunities contact us for details at 214.485.7300 or Jeffrey@biginkpr.com to ride 'High on the Hog'.

REAL ESTATE CORNER

"Catering specifically to restaurateurs ... with Jeffrey Yarbrough at the helm; it's safe to say restaurants are their bread and butter."
-- Dean McSherry - Preferred Restaurant Services

bigInk Real Estate Services offers you the opportunity to relocate or expand your business. With licensed brokers in the state of Texas, we can help you establish your business in the neighborhood that best suits your needs.

Little Elm Marketplace - Little Elm, Texas
There are several spaces available in the Little Elm Marketplace, a Rosebriar development coming Fall 2011. These spaces would be ideal for a steak house or a contemporary breakfast concept.

Omni Dallas Convention Hotel - Downtown Dallas
There are two spaces available near the Omni Dallas Convention Hotel with roughly 4,000 square feet available for each venue. These spaces would be ideal for BBQ, Texas or Mexican restaurants, as it would appeal to conventioneers seeking a real "Texas" themed experience.

Bishop Arts District - Oak Cliff
There are several vacancies within the historic Bishop Arts District. Venues that would be ideal for this neighborhood are Texas - Louisiana Coastal seafood, wood-burning pizza restaurants, as well as a bistro or wine bar.

If you are looking to expand, call me, Elise Mikus, Brian Adams or Kevin Mitchell. Our Real Estate Services and consulting business is in full force and ready to serve you! 214.485.7300

Whether it's helping your restaurant find its place in the Dallas area or helping you expand, bigInk is dedicated to finding new ways to help your business thrive. This is why we offer you the latest trends, tips and ideas to help you establish yourself in this hostile economy. Get the bigInk advantage over your competition and equip your company with the knowledge and expertise that comes from over 20 years in the restaurant/hospitality industry. --bigInk

bigInk, located at 1409 South Lamar St. Dallas, TX, is a full-service PR and Marketing Company specializing in restaurants,
bars, fashion, food, entertainment, wine and lifestyle oriented clientele. bigInk PR and Marketing was named one of the
Top 25 Public Relations Firms by the Dallas Business Journal. To contact bigInk's office please call (214) 485-7300.

bigInk PR and Marketing
1409 S. Lamar Suite 214 • Dallas, Texas 75215 • 214.485.7300
www.biginkpr.com