Compleat Foodservice’s Post

As we enter August, it’s naturally a much quieter month for the catering and events industry. This can be a real strain on business finances & cash flow. But what Dinner Ladies is focusing on in this quieter time is: 1. Training - completing vital seasonal food, drink and service training with the team so we are going into the next season stronger 💪🏼 2. Investing in relationships - Strengthening client relationships with showcases & visiting our venues 3. Team bonding - making time for a team holiday as well as more pub trips and picnics 4. Reflecting & reevaluating - Thinking about our position for the year, where we are at with our goals, what’s working well and what’s not so we can make changes #cateringindustry #eventsindustry #businessgoals #team

☀️🍷 It's coming… 🍷☀️ Before you know it, the buzz of warm days, outdoor dining, chilled rosé and tourist-filled streets will be upon us. Strawberries and Asparagus aren't far off now, I'm already poaching rhubarb and putting down big batches of wild garlic pesto. After a long winter, spring and summer seem to pass by in the blink of an eye And there are some major events this coming season to cash in on 🤑💷 But have you thought about xmas menus yet (I know, f**k off, Ryan!)? What about packages to sell to large parties for the Euros or Olympics viewing? There are tons of opportunities to make intelligent menu decisions this coming year, and Union38 can help create, implement, and train your way to a fuller, more profitable venue. - Enticing pre-bookable packages - Attention-grabbing collaborations & partnerships - Menu innovation for celebration - Streamlining for the quieter periods (cost control) - Spending that CAPEX intelligently on closure works Do you have the creative bandwith to squeeze every drop out of 2024?  I would LOVE to help ===== I love helping hospitality teams deliver great food Appreciate a follow, 🔔 ring, or connection (Ryan Brown) if you find value here Lots more to explore at www.union38.com

Insightful day at the Trade Drinks Expo in London, here's what we took away... One of the standout sessions was the talk, "Gearing Up for Growth," featuring Thom Elliot (co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims) Robert Machin and Michelle Moreno. The conversation touched on some critical themes for anyone in the hospitality and drinks industry striving for growth. These were our key takeaways: Hospitality is a human-first industry: Despite advancements in AI and technology, hospitality remains a people-centric industry. Prioritising genuine, in-person experiences and hiring good staff are vital for customer satisfaction and loyalty. Simplicity in messaging: "If you're explaining, you're losing" really resonated. It's vital to keep messaging, branding and communication simple for your consumers to understand the concept and what you are about. Growth vs. Quality: Expanding a business doesn't necessarily guarantee higher revenue. It's vital to have the right processes in place; otherwise, more venues can lead to more losses. We were truly inspired by Thom Elliot's story of how Pizza Pilgrims grew from a single pop-up truck to an impressive 25 locations. The secret to their success? Focusing their time and energy on becoming better, not just bigger. #businessgrowth #tradeanddrinksexpo #scalingup

👀 ONE GOAL CONSULTING's long awaited announcement that will transform how business gets done in the restaurant industry. ➡️ See full discussion: https://lnkd.in/e3zyxnE3 🤯 Imagine being a restaurant operator and receiving "125-175 touchpoints A DAY" from vendor salespeople... ...on top of all the other work you've got, which has only increased. The vast majority of the time it won't matter how relevant the solutions are, or how on point the copy is. The messages go into the garbage bin out of necessity. Matt Haselhoff, Mike Falcone, & Chad Horn discuss the approach that works for Brands and Vendors while better utilizing the expertise industry veterans. #restauranttechnology #restauranttech #hospitalitytechnology #hospitalitytech #hospitality #innovation

I've compiled a list of top New York City restaurants with essential contact information, making it easier than ever for businesses looking to connect with key players in the hospitality industry. 🍽️ Whether you’re in marketing, supply chain, event planning, or looking to partner with NYC's popular dining spots, this list is a powerful resource to get started. Let's leverage data for smarter outreach and better connections! #LeadGeneration #B2BMarketing #Networking #BusinessGrowth

Part 1 Just following up with a note of our sincere thanks and appreciation for the case study on Brose carried out and shared by Scottish Food and Drink last week.  Here's the link to the case study here in case you missed it. https://bit.ly/3OfgHWG Brose came into the F&D space only a few short years ago (6 months before the 1st COVID lock-down). We had no prior knowledge or experience of the industry.  The small group of partners that came together to create Brose all had prior business experience but not in F&D.  By that time, we had already spent a great deal of time and resource developing a recipe that we thought was going to do very well, very quickly. In fact, our initial sales predictions were naively optimistic! Regardless this initial miscalculation, we were still confident that Scotland deserved its own domestic oat milk brand. Fortunately, for Brose, one of the things that makes Scotland so great is that it is so very interconnected.  It is precisely this interconnectedness and sense of camaraderie that has made the journey to date so fulfilling. Brose has been privileged to receive support and guidance from industry experts and organisations across Scotland. Right at the start and right here in East Lothian, East Lothian Food & Drink LTD were great with guidance, encouragement and human resource.  The support we received from Emma Bouglet and her team was and continues to be above and beyond. They’ve done everything from sourcing us furniture to keeping us tucked under their wing at our first F&D events. Scotland Food & Drink has also been extremely helpful getting us started helpful getting us started with training courses and workshop sessions on how to approach, and work with wholesalers and wholesale distributors. Once more familiar with the landscape, we continued to benefit from mentorship and coaching, as well as key introductions. More than simple references to people and resources within their network, they have always been very good at sign-posting to any opportunities that might be of benefit.  They also host fantastic events which decisively serve all of us in the F&D community through their continued elevation and promotion of the Scottish Brand. To top it off, all their events happen to be very well-catered!  Go figure.  Big thanks Iain Baxter, Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne FRSE, Catherine Johnston, Helen Wallace, stephanie pritchard, Jessica Van Tromp, Rachel Garvey and Nicole S.. ...to be continued.

It was great to see the hospitality industry coming together at Machine Hall for the inaugural Good Food Symposium. Guests heard from Callan Boys Alessandro Pavoni Huss Rachin, Palisa Anderson Rebecca Fanning and Patrick Ryan-Parker sharing their ideas and expertise on how to juggle the complexities of the current economic situation, staffing, pricing, social media and communication. As a newcomer into hospitality (Machine Hall Cafe) there were so many takeaways (pardon the pun 😩): Value creation is more about experience than price with familiar and more personal service driving loyalty - no more 'good evening Madam' A strong team culture can keep highly transient staff engaged. Giving them a shared vision of the future provides them with an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Staff are an extension of your brand so time invested in them is always time well spent. Google reviews are vital - so ask happy customers to post or only negatives prevail. Answer all negative reviews personally as this will enable brand messaging.  Businesses need to be multi platform business, comms are crucial and EDM’s sitting in the shadow of socials are the key to drive immediate sales.  Cheers! Nine #hospitality

Facilitated by the inimitable Jon Bains of Obsolete.com, join us this Wednesday 25th May, 10am-midday for another invigorating Business Junction Be Creative (formerly Creative, Digital and marketing group) event focused on fostering collaboration, teamwork, and referral opportunities within the creative, digital, and marketing industries. This bi-monthly event is tailored for agency owners, managers, and professionals looking to expand their networks and explore new ways of working together. Why Attend? Collaborate for Success: Learn effective strategies for collaborating with other agencies and professionals to deliver outstanding projects and results. Team Up for Growth: Discover how teaming up with complementary agencies can help you expand your service offerings and reach new clients. Referrals and Introductions: Understand the power of referrals and introductions in growing your business and building long-lasting professional relationships. Event Details: Dos and Don'ts of Collaboration: Dive into best practices and pitfalls to avoid when collaborating with other agencies and professionals. Roundtable Discussions: Engage in intimate roundtable discussions to share your experiences, challenges, and success stories related to collaboration, teamwork, and referrals. Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and forge valuable relationships that can lead to future collaborations and business growth. Member exclusive: £15+VAT | Non-member: £25+VAT

Need help scaling your event? Click the link in my bio and then click "EVENT ACCELERATOR"  ---------------------  Full Video Here -- ▶️ https://lnkd.in/gRGMi3WS  ---------------------    Choosing the right venue is crucial—it sets the tone for your event and impacts guest perception significantly. Remember, food and beverage costs can quickly deplete your budget, especially with venue-imposed exclusivities. Always have a solid registration system and a backup plan in place. Relying on volunteers? Caution advised—they often seek free entry without contractual obligations.                          #corporateevents #eventinspo #eventdecor #eventlife #eventsetup #eventtrends #eventspace #eventpros #eventsmanagement #socialevents #outdoorevents #eventvenue #eventservices #corporateeventplanner #eventtech #eventprofessionals #meetingprofs #eventprof #eventmarketing #eventstyle #eventcoordination #bizbash #eventspecialist #meetingplanners #eventrentals #luxuryevents #eventstylists #eventstylist #venues #eventdecoration

Marston's ends Carlsberg partnership to drive pub growth Big news in the hospitality industry today as Marston's has announced its strategic decision to split from Carlsberg to focus solely on expanding its extensive UK pub network. With 1,370 pubs under its belt, Marston's aims to channel its efforts and resources into enhancing its offerings across the country. This shift signifies a strong commitment to growth and innovation within the pub sector, a vital part of the UK's social fabric. Reflecting on this move, it's clear Marston's is positioning itself to leverage its deep-rooted heritage in the UK pub scene. Divesting from the Carlsberg partnership allows the company to streamline operations and hone in on what they do best - fostering welcoming environments and enriching customer experiences in their pubs. This is not merely a withdrawal but a strategic pivot to strengthen their foothold in an evolving market. Interestingly, this development comes just ahead of the Foodservice Cateys scheduled for 11 October 2024 at the Royal Lancaster London hotel. This event will highlight the key players driving the foodservice industry forward. Marston's decision aligns with the emerging trend of focusing on core competencies to create stronger, more resilient businesses. #HospitalityNews #PubExpansion #UKBusiness