SYSCO iCare
www.syscoicare.com January 2009 
IN THIS ISSUE
How to Become a Certified Green Restaurant
Managing your Operational Inefficiencies
Controlling Workers Comp Expenses
Would you Call This Theft?
 
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How to Become A Certified Green Restaurant™                                              
The most important element of beginning the process of becoming a Certified Green Restaurant™ is to cultivate buy-in from the various stakeholders of your operations. In order for the restaurant to successfully implement new environmental changes, it's crucial that all major decision-makers have their needs addressed and anticipated.
 
Becoming a Certified Green Restaurant™ is one of those rare opportunities.  Why?  Because the majority of Americans continue to report on surveys and in their spending habits that they want more real green options for them in the marketplace.  Dining out at a Certified Green Restaurant™ is an easy way for people to do something good for the environment while also enjoying themselves. 

Green Restaurant Association

 
meterDegree Guard: Helping you manage your operational inefficiencies
 
 
Woman DinerControlling Workers Comp Expenses For Your Restaurant 
If you own a business, you are probably well aware of the direct costs associated with a work-related injury. For example, a waitress at your restaurant slips and falls; medical expenses are incurred for a leg injury, and indemnity payments are needed for her two-week absence from the job. Translation? A deteriorating loss history for your business that could increase the price you pay for workers' compensation insurance. 

You may not immediately appreciate the indirect costs that can result: 

· A slowdown in service or sales during and immediately following the accident.
· A disruption in operations during an investigation.
· Increased wages for unscheduled overtime to make up for the employee's absence.
· The hiring and training of new or temporary replacement staff.
· Greater possibility of litigation.
· Increased potential for malingering and fraud.
· Overall loss of employee morale, sense of security, and loyalty to the company.
· Higher risk of employee turnover and marred reputation.
 
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Wine GlassWould You Call This Theft? 
Theft is pretty clear. It is taking someone else's property without permission.  In the hospitality industry, however, the definition of theft seems to depend on who is doing the defining! Is it theft to over-pour in order to get a better tip? What about over-pouring for visiting staff from other restaurants and bars, or giving them a free drink? What about having a staff drink after close on an exceptionally busy night? What about keeping any overages when counting the cash at the end of the night? Staff drinks? Use of "open keys" on the POS system to save time?
 
We seem to be afraid to talk about this problem. Most operators refuse to believe that their staff would steal. Yet we know that virtually every bar gives up more than 20 percent of their sales to illicit freebies, over-pouring and, yes, theft. That fact alone suggests that a bar owner who doesn't acknowledge a significant amount of theft is ignoring reality and making a lot less money as a result.
 
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At Sysco iCare , we've done our homework, so you don't have to. iCare partners are Sysco approved and uphold the highest service levels, quality standards and performance guarantees of anyone in the industry.