My favorite restaurant is quickly becoming “my old haunt.” That’s right, I’ve just about stopped going there. At least with any real frequency, that is. I used to try to stop in once a week to chat with the owner over a bowl o...

Operations Management Reaffirm No Cell Phone Policy I have a no cell phone policy but still have a struggle with a few staff members texting and checking text messages. How can I get control over the situation? By Jeff Freehof I see so many employers...

A photo of a recently deceased friend was posted on a social network. As people commented several words kept reoccurring; beautiful, con­fident, intelligent. That photo was powerful; it evoked memories and emotions. Though we view things in varying ...

Here’s how you can grab your slice of the talent pool. Reputation matters. It’s critical that you hire right the first time; your reputation depends on it. Can teenagers (your future workforce) hear you yelling on the street at a bad hire? Are fo...

From parsley and Parmesan to lemon slices and dustings of powdered sugar, plating food is an art form that delights guests. I want to teach you some plating techniques and let your passion for food shine through. I’m sure you’ve heard it ...

How do you compensate your delivery drivers? I paid my drivers regular minimum wage, plus they earned their tips. I also paid them a 50 cent commission for each delivery. I recently started charging customers a one dollar delivery charge, which defer...

I’m thinking of hiring a store manager and want to know your opinion on promoting from within or bringing someone new into the company. I’ve done both and it is definitely an easier transition to promote from within if you have the right ...

Every March, you can count on two things: hordes of college students flocking to the beach for Spring Break and sports fans tuning in to the college basketball playoffs. March Madness has gotten so big that even those who aren’t inclined to fol...

I’m not sure what I should expect to pay for rent. What percentage of my sales should rent account for? You really can’t know what your sales will be projected at until you find an appropriate space that is suitable for your concept. ...

The other day, I was talking to a young woman who worked her way through college by bartending at a busy restaurant. I asked her if all the second-hand cigarette smoke she had to inhale in order to do her job bothered her. She answered in the affirma...

A growing number of my customers use credit cards, but the fees are killing me. Anything I can do? A: I feel your pain! If the fees are killing you, then the sales are saving you! We can no longer live without accepting credit cards, because almost e...

I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase, “Luck favors the well prepared.” I believe pretty strongly in that. Sure, there is such a thing as dumb luck. But, for the most part, you can make your own luck — i.e. success &m...