Foodservicexpert

The Real Goal of Foodservice Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) So, what's the point? Customers drawn in by LTOs often don't order the promotional item. The true purpose of a Limited-Time Offer (LTO) is to drive traffic, but not necessarily to that menu item. By its very nature, an LTO is only available for a short time, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Once the item is gone, the goal is for customers to remain loyal to the brand by purchasing one of their core menu items. The point: Getting customers in the door. LTOs are strategic marketing tools aimed at: 1. Increased traffic: 🚗 Drive new and repeat customers into the restaurant. Example: Taco Bell's Cheetos Crunchwrap Slider, a unique LTO that generated widespread buzz and attracted new customers. 2. Increased frequency: 🕰️ Encourage customers to visit more often. Example: McDonald's Shamrock Shake, a seasonal LTO that drives customers into their stores with a familiar favorite, encouraging repeat visits. 3. Increased check size: 💵 Boost average ticket size through upselling and cross-selling. Example: Chili's $5 Margarita of the Month, an LTO that encourages customers to upgrade their drink order. 4. Increased party size: ➕ Attract larger groups by offering options for diverse tastes. Example: California Pizza Kitchen's seasonal vegetable pizza, a vegetarian LTO that appeals to a broad range of customers. Execution is key: Supply Chain; Training; Marketing, and Communication all together. Coordination between manfucturer, distributor, and operator are paramount. Conclusion: LTOs are strategic tools to increase restaurant sales. The LTO should be on trends, create excitement, and drive traffic. #LTO #Foodservice #Brie #SupplyChain #Restaurant

My day at the PLMA #PLMA2024 #foodservice #aldi #retail

McDonald's Defies Tradition: Open 24 Hours on Thanksgiving As Americans sit down for their traditional Thanksgiving feast, a select McDonald's location in Healdsburg, CA is breaking the mold by staying open 24 hours, highlighting the complex role of foodservice in American culture. Foodservice is deeply ingrained in American culture, reflecting the country's values of convenience, flexibility, and freedom. This phenomenon is rooted in our nation's history, with the rise of diners, drive-ins, and fast-food chains revolutionizing the way we eat. This particular McDonald’s has opted to keep its doors open on Thanksgiving, providing a welcome refuge for those seeking a quick bite or a late-night snack. Thanksgiving is a time to come together, but not everyone has family or friends nearby. Or perhaps it is a weary traveler heading down 101 in need of a meal on a day when most places are closed. I imagine the staff will have some joy serving those looking for a familiar place to eat and a friendlly face on Thanksgiving, no matter the hour. For the employees, they can capture extra hours with holiday pay, a chance to make some additional money. While some might view a 24-hour McDonald's on Thanksgiving as unconventional, for others, it's a blessing. What are your thoughts on McDonald’s 24 hour Thanksgiving plan? #foodservice #mcdonald's #fastfood #thanskgiving

Thank you to Peter Romeo for capturing just some of the impact that Ron Paul, Technomic, Inc. founder, had on his team and the foodservice industry. He was a fantastic leader and true legend in our space. We thank him for his vision to start our organization in 1966 and the many opportunities he provided to our team and clients to grow personally and professionally. https://lnkd.in/gk9qdWGp

It is a rare thing that I post about the exciting and awesome things I get to work on in my foodservice marketing endeavors, but this is one I'm too excited and proud of to not share, and that is the 'Introduction to the World of Bagels & Bialys' as a first step resource guide for Professional bakers looking to get into bagels and for non-pros looking to go pro. It's been a first of many labors of love we are developing here to help grow the industry and be the go-to resource for even better professional baking. We couldn't be more excited to see the great bagel boom that is happening across the US and to be a part of some of the best bagels on the market. Huge shout out to internal KABC team, our 5 bagel shop partners, StarChefs, and Sam Silverman for his awesome intro to the book as well as leading the way to bringing the bagel community together in so many awesome ways. https://lnkd.in/gKHS33Ry

Food safety should be a top concern for Foodservice operators Key learnings can come from bad situations. The McDonald’s food safety challenge with their Quarter Pounder is a wake up call to foodservice operators across the country to work with distributors and suppliers alike. It is not only about the actions on the front end to avoid outbreaks. It is also about tracking, communication, and response if a health risk does arise. . The latest McDonald’s issue appears to be due to slivered onions. It is important to note this is still being investigated.

🌿Farmers Standing Together to Protect Our Future🌿 No on Measure J: Protect Animals, Save Local Organic Food & Farms This past weekend, our President, Michael Scheu , joined forces with local farmers like Dan Rotlisberger from Robert Young Vineyards at the Healdsburg Farmers Market to raise awareness about the critical importance of voting NO on Measure J. At Straus Family Creamery, we’ve spent decades building a community grounded in sustainable, organic farming, humane animal care, and environmental stewardship. The impact of Measure J’s cap on livestock operations threatens to undo this progress. It would force small family farms out of business, damaging our local economy and harming the vital industries that support our farms. Measure J doesn’t improve animal welfare or water quality. Instead, it shifts food production to areas with fewer protections, increasing reliance on imports and undermining the very organic farming practices that have made Sonoma County thrive. We stand united to protect our agricultural heritage. Please visit the link here: ttps://https://lnkd.in/g6UgnBQB to learn more about how Measure J puts our community and the future of organic farming at risk. #NoOnJ #SupportLocal #OrganicDairy #StrausFamilyCreamery

What could an East Coast port strike mean for specialty cheese? “In today’s world, I’ll cripple you,” he (Daggett)  said recently in a video post. “I will cripple you.” This is the exact language from a Harold Dagget who leads the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). He has threated to initiate a strike along the East Coast and over to Houton at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday October 1st. While there are certainly work arounds should there be a strike, Daggett’s words show the potential disruption for imports. The effect on cheese imports would not be immediate but would create a residual challenge like what we saw in Covid. Even a short-lived strike has a domino effect. Liken it to a delayed flight in the airport. Once one plane is delayed, it ripples throughout the day. The disruption of cheese imports will vary. Hard cheeses with long shelf life have few immediate challenges than those with short shelf life.  For products with long shelf life, like Romano and Parmesan, it is not nearly as determinantal. At strike would pose larger issues for cheese with short shelf life, like brie or taleggio, it could be more detrimental. There are certainly other ports where product can be shipped. However, it will increase costs to ship it across the country back to the east. This will be most likely be passed onto the consumer. The timing adds to the ripple effect as holiday sales of specialty is 40-50% of the total year sales. There is already a capacity constraint on domestic Soft Ripened Cheese in Q4. In the past, some international producers have used imports to offset. The strike is not a foregone conclusion and hopefully diplomacy and cooler heads will prevail. Regardless, a plan should be in place for foodservice, club, and, retailers. #portstrike #specialtycheese #retail #shortages Foodservicexpert

Brian Niccol outlines his Top 4 focus for Starbucks 1. Happy and productive employees are the foundation of a successful business. Mr. Niccol’s first point illustrates it all starts with employees and the importance of giving them the tools needed. He recognizes they are paramount to the success of the chain and justifiably puts them first. 2. The customer experience needs to be right on, every time. His vision on employees as his #1 Focus will lead to an enhanced customer experience. Niccol’s recognizes the responsibility and opportunity for Starbucks to be one of his customers’ first actions everyday. Imagine the awesomeness of the responsibility around making or breaking someone’s morning. He clearly see it. 3. Starbucks should be viewed as part of the community. I interpret this point as Starbucks being more than a stop in the morning. He wants the store atmosphere to be a comfortable and friendly place that is recognizable as a cornerstone of the local community. Starbucks is a hybrid of get in/get out and park yourself with your laptop for hours. Undoubtedly Mr. Niccol’s passion for technology will be seen in store updates. 4. Tell their story, before someone else does. Let people know who you are and what you stand for. Mr. Niccol sees the importance of Starbucks and its employees being the narrator of their story. Their story is powerful from how they interact with it international source partners to their stance on sustainability. It will be a masterclass to see the vision unfold and at the speed it can be implemented considering the size of this franchise. #starbucks #leadership Foodservicexpert