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Employee Meals
Is your restaurant properly treating the value of meals furnished to employees before, during, and after work hours?
Generally meals provided during working hours, for the convenience of the employer, are not considered taxable gross income to the employee and are 100 percent deductible by the employer.
To read more tax tips, click here.
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| SOCIAL MEDIA |
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Restaurants Rely on Marketing with Facebook
A recent survey of 8500 small business owners in the US shows that social media has become the go-to marketing tool for many businesses, including restaurants.
Results indicate that Facebook is the most widely used marketing tool among the respondents, surpassing Google advertising and listings.
To read the full article, click here. | |
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| SOCIALGRUB |
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New Social Media Tool: SocialGrub
 SocialGrub allows restaurants to create coupons, instant offers, discounts, and other promotions once and then automatically distribute them through their own branded Facebook and MySpace applications, as well as on Twitter and other micro-blogging sites and through widgets.
By harnessing the power of the Internet and utilizing social networking resources such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and widgets, restaurants and retailers will be able to more effectively market and promote their businesses online through a broad range of social media marketing channels.
SocialGrub supports the targeting, scheduling, syndication and tracking of all offers created on the system.
To learn more about SocialGrub, check out their website at www.socialgrub.com,
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WHAT INTERESTS YOU?
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Like Our Ideas or Want To Share Some of Yours?
The Z Report is looking for comments, ideas and suggestions about how we can help our customers better utilize technology.
Write us and comment as often as you would like: | |
mshaw@postec.com
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Greetings!
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The economy is showing signs of recovery and restaurant sales are starting to rebound, although in many parts of the country weather was a factor. Of course, it's too early to celebrate but there is strong evidence that the hospitality industry is on an upswing.
We recognize our role is to help all our clients manage their operations, regardless of what part of the economic cycle we are in. Helping you to increase revenue and profitability, reduce costs, and improve market share is our job. Technology is a great tool, but only if it is used effectively.
Our company wants to make your job easier. In order to understand your current challenges and potential for improvement, we want to spend time talking to you. It will be time well spent and we won't waste it. There are so many new ways to improve your business, drive new sales, and keep customers coming back.
We can create better results for your business...all it takes to get started is a meeting to uncover the opportunities. We will take the time, share ideas, and listen to yours.
Call us today to schedule a meeting...we're here to help.
Sincerely,
David
David Shaw
President
POSTEC, Inc.
678-424-4010
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Restaurant Performance Index Remains Strong
Despite Challenging Winter Weather
 The NRA Restaurant Performance Index for January, 2011, was still high but down slightly because of extreme weather in various parts of the country. The index was 100.2 which represented a small decrease but the level signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.
"Overall, the economic fundamentals of the restaurant industry remain positive, which will likely lead to stronger sales and traffic levels in the months ahead," according to Hudson Riehl, Senior Vice President of the NRA.
According to the most recent survey, 47% of restaurants expect same-store sales to increase in the next six months while only 14% expect a decline. The Expectations Index also remained over 100 for sales, employee levels, capital expenditures and business conditions although down slightly from the December results.
Watch the video which describes the entire report. | |
Starbucks Rolls Out MICROS Technology POS Software Enables Cashless Transactions from Your Phone  Starbucks has completed installation of Simphony, a MICROS POS solution, in 6700 stores in the US, Canada and the UK. The new solution gives stores the internal controls as well as management the tools they need to help maximize revenues and reduce costs.
The solution also includes the Starbucks loyalty and cashless options that provide customers a unique smartphone app that they can use in lieu of cash. By merely "flashing" a unique bar code on their phone, Starbucks customers can pay for coffee and food while earning rewards. Our staff can help you to also implement new solutions that increase freuency and even create a cashless environment. Contact us to learn more. To read the release from MICROS, click here. | |
Our staff can discuss and help you implement current and available solutions that can increase customer frequency, as well as create a cashless environment.
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What is your digital strategy?
 The future is here. Social media and mobile technology are the new word of mouth and the internet is a relatively low cost marketing outlet compared to other types of mainstream media advertising like radio, TV and print. The digital world evens out the playing field for small restaurants and large chains, both whom can and do find success in cyberspace.
A digital strategy is an essential part of every restaurant's marketing plan. Your digital plan should be integrated in your year-round marketing campaigns and a key part of any and all communications.
Your brand should be represented in every major platform especially Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Quoria, FourSquare, and Yelp. Keep a finger on the fast changes in technology so you can jump on new platforms as they gain popularity.
Mobile positioning is as important as the overall digital plan since consumers now actively rely on their mobile devices for locations, reviews, menus and ordering. If you have not already implemented a mobile marketing plan, it's time to get started.
Best of all, measuring the success of a digital strategy is easy to do with the help of your POS system. Coupons, specials offers and repeat customers can be tracked through various POS reports. To find out how to effectively track and measure your efforts, contact us today.
Contact us to find out how to effectively track and measure your efforts!
Contact Sam Reynolds
678-424-4000 x103
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Cybercriminals Targeting Point-of-Sale Devices
 How secure are your POS systems and credit card processing devices? Most security breaches of sensitive payment card data involve POS systems as they are easy targets for cybercriminals. Often times, these criminals target POS payment processing devices because of lax security controls, especially among small businesses.
Just as restaurateurs work to keep their own sensitive data safe, they should also have a system to protect the credit card numbers of their patrons. Sophisticated thieves know that many POS systems swipe the full magnetic strip on a credit card, and they have ways to steal that information easily, even if it is encrypted.
Make sure you are aware of any weaknesses in your system security and take appropriate measures to fix them. We're here to help in this area if you have any concerns. Call us today!
To read the article, click here.
If you have concerns about your system security, contact us. | |
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
YOUR CREDIT CARD DATA SECURITY!
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
If your POS system includes a Payment System, you are contractually responsible to your Credit Card Acquirer/Processor to fully comply with the terms of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Learn more here: Payment Card Industry Security Standard .
Merchants compromised and found not to be fully compliant with PCI-DSS may incur significant fines and penalties from the cardholder industry. If you think it cannot happen to you, see how this would impact your business...watch the video Are You at Risk?
PCI-DSS compliance includes 12 major requirements that encompass 200+ security items. Merchants with Payment Systems must full comply with all these requirements, only one of which includes using a Validated Payment Application. PCI publishes a list: PA-DSS Validated Payment Applications
MICROS publishes a list of PA-DSS Validated products:
MICROS Payment Application Validation Schedule
Please note:
Using a PA-DSS Validated Payment ApplicationDOES NOT make a Merchant fully PCI-DSS COMPLIANT, nor guarantee that a Merchant cannot be breached. It is very important that any Merchant fully complies with all of the terms of PCI-DSS and takes these responsibilities seriously.
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To learn more about the other responsibilities, please contact us.
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