SYSCO iCare
www.syscoicare.com August 2009 
IN THIS ISSUE
Surprise! Birthdays Boost Business
Handhelds Give You a Hand Managing Your Business
Getting Personal with List Segmentation
How You Can Increase Guest Check Averages
 
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Birthday Cake
Surprise! Birthdays Boost Business

At a time when many restaurants are resorting to special offers and reduced prices to get customers in the door, there is one engaging promotion that you can take advantage of every day of the year. Everyone has a birthday and research shows that no matter what the economy is doing, a lot of people choose to celebrate at a restaurant on their big day.
 
Even when times are tough, people believe they owe themselves an indulgence on their birthday and National Restaurant Association research shows that birthdays are the number one reason for dining out. So if people are planning to eat out for their celebration, it might as well be at your establishment. How do you ensure that they choose your restaurant over the competition? By making them a birthday offer they can't refuse.
Handheld POSHandhelds Give You A Hand Managing Your Business
 
 Restaurants are turning more and more to wireless technology these days, while others are afraid to read words such as "wireless" or "new technology" because this usually means "pulling more money out of my pocket".  But yes, you want to keep up with the competition and stay profitable, so this is why you keep reading this article.  You know that as scary as new technologies can be, it can also mean that you'll probably end up taking advantage of such new technologies and PUT more money in your pocket in the end!

The good thing about wireless handhelds (well actually there is more than one of course!) is that the handheld user interface and functionalities are the same as a regular POS, so no additional training is necessary. Offering all of the same functions and capabilities as a regular POS, handheld POS systems are just as easy to use and will allow your staff to spend more time on the floor servicing your clients and selling menu items. Waiters and Waitresses will also save more time by not having to go back and forth to the POS system and waiting in line to access a fixed terminal.  The end result = your waiters can serve more customers faster, turnover more tables and increase sales... Now, who doesn't want that? 

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DinersGetting Personal with List Segmentation
 
As anyone in the foodservice industry will attest, every customer is different and each will have unique preferences, likes, and dislikes. When developing your email marketing campaigns, it's important to consider those differences and use that information to better target your subscriber list. Doing so will allow you to send content only to subscribers who are interested in a particular topic, thereby increasing open rates, click-throughs and overall activity, while also reducing unsubscribes. Below are some simple tips to help you segment your list in order to target your subscribers with content they'll be sure to enjoy.
 
Learn your subscribers' preferences
 
Before you can segment your subscriber list you must first learn a bit about their interests. This information allows you to send more relevant emails to your customers based on their unique needs and preferences. For example, a restaurateur may wish to know if subscribers are interested in special events, if they drink wine or beer, or have young children. A pizza parlor might want to know if their subscribers are interested in hosting game-time gatherings, or if they live or work in the area.

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WaiterHow You Can Increase Guest Check Averages
 
Imagine that a party of four is finishing their meal, and as the server removes the plates she offers the "to die for" desserts and mentions her favorite, "the double-double chocolate raspberry filled cake, almost a half pound for only $5.95." One person says "No thanks" and everyone else at the table declines.
 
What many people are looking for is something petite and sweet. It's hard to say no to a $2 dessert. It's just a taste; maybe 3 or 4 spoonfuls from an assortment.

Let's start selling and suggesting from the beginning,
  • "We have a delicious new presentation for our petite desserts."
  • "Little room, little desserts."
  • "We have a varied assortment of small bites or spoonfuls that will allow you to have your sweetness without the guilt."
  • "Now, your favorite doesn't have to be just one."
  • "I am so confident that you will find this to be the delicious ending to a delightful meal, if you are not satisfied, I'll buy your dessert."
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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.