07/01/2009

Surviving the Crummy Economy: Renegotiate Your Lease

A down economy is an opportune time to try and renegotiate your rent, one of the largest expenses that most small businesses incur. Quiznos, for example, successfully renegotiated dozens of its franchise leases, with an average reduction of 15 to 20 percent in rent costs. Your landlord may not have a stake in the success of your enterprise, but he does have an interest in having a viable, long-term tenant. It can be difficult to swallow your pride and ask your landlord for help, so consider contacting a lease consultant to assist you. --Brian Luskey, Associate Editor

04/14/2009

Restaurant Chains That Still Grow

Restaurant franchise chains with growth plans for 2009 -- is that a typo? Chain Leader magazine found two fast food/casual dining chains that say they are indeed opening more outlets. At Papa Murphy's Take n' Bake Pizza, customers direct the assembly of their fresh pizza, then take it home to bake themselves. The $15 price of a pie reinforces an atmosphere of casual quality. The 1,148-unit chain plans 102 new locations in 2009. At Buffalo Wild Wings, the appeal is chicken wings, beer pitchers and sports on the wide screens. Total revenue increased 33% in the Q4, 2008, and the company plans for another 25% growth in revenue this year, adding 37 units to the existing 570. --Jeff B. Copeland, Content Product Manager

03/16/2009

Multi-Media Eatery

You think you're high tech because you have reservations software and table pagers? At Inamo, a high concept, mid-priced Asian fusion eatery in London's Soho district, patrons use their tables like touch-screen computers to see an interactive menu and make their orders. It's done with touch pads embedded in the table tops and overhead projectors beaming computer-generated images down on the tables. Diners start by selecting a table cloth design, then view photos of the menu items to make their selections and can even watch on a kitchen-cam as their meals are prepared. Take a video tour of Inamo on CNET TV. -- Jeff B. Copeland, Content Product Manager

03/16/2009

Forecast: Buckets of Ice

The organizers of the recent North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) show singled out best-in-show new products, including some that do wild and wonderful things with ice. Chill-Rite 32, the draught-beer systems maker, introduced the Shock-A-Vodka Dome System for bar service of vodka. The bottle sits on a frosty igloo and the shots come out around five degrees. Follett's Ice Manager Diverter Valve System pumps ice up to 75 feet away so the clunk of ice-making isn't heard in the dining room. And the Maximixer is a real energy saver, pre-chilling incoming water with frigid exhaust water. -- Jeff B. Copeland, Content Product Manager

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Forecast: Buckets of Ice

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