Best Tips to Advertise Your Restaurant’s Happy Hour

Best Tips to Advertise Your Restaurant’s Happy Hour

by | Sep 23, 2016 | Business Toolkit, Management

At the end of the workday, many people have just one thing on their mind: happy hour! They’re hungry and thirsty and as a restaurant or bar of any type, this is a real asset. The thing you need to know though is how to advertise your happy hour so you can make the very most of it. With this in mind, here are the pro-tips.

Understand Happy Hour’s Purpose

Unfortunately, many bar owners think of happy hour as a stand alone part of their day when it’s really not. Happy hour is a transitional time you should use to drive traffic to your bar or restaurant that evening.

Don’t think of a busy happy hour as a success. While it may help you break even, it’s not a success unless you have a busy lucrative dinner or evening. As such, happy hour is actually a traffic and sales driver. You want this traffic to stay for a full-price dinner, which means you need really compelling advertising for that.

Ramp Up In-House Marketing

You want to create a special place or, at the very least, have posters and signs around your establishment advertising happy hour. Make sure these show a list of the deals you’re offering. This way, even if your customers missed happy hour, they know to come in for it tomorrow.

It’s important you train your team on running a successful happy hour.

It’s also important you train your team on running a successful happy hour so they can turn it into a profitable experience. By investing in walking your guests through a happy hour to an enjoyable dinner or late night experience, you’ll bring in more business. Make sure your staff is ready to offer recommendations, talk up full-priced signature items, and, of course, answer questions about the specials.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Most bars and restaurants understand how important social media marketing is when it comes to bringing in customers. However, what many don’t understand is how helpful it is for advertising purposes, especially when it comes to happy hours.

Why? Because lots of people get antsy towards the end of the workday and start playing around with their social media feeds. By tweeting about your daily specials around 3-5pm, you’re reaching potential customers at exactly the right time – when they’re deciding where to go for that after-work drink!

Take your social media post to the next level by including an enticing image of either a food or drink special you’re offering. The visual aspect goes a long way in this respect.

Create More Deals

Since most people don’t go to happy hour by themselves, but instead go with a group of friends or coworkers, offer group deals on appetizers or pitchers. These turn your happy hour into the place they want to go.

Also, don’t forget about the power of bounce back coupons.

Also, don’t forget about the power of bounce back coupons. Giving your customers additional coupons for the next happy hour gives them extra incentive to return!

A Little Something Extra

Although cheap drinks and food are stars in their own right, they’re not exactly unique. To make your happy hour stand out in the crowd, try adding a little something extra. Think karaoke, live bands, trivia or games of some sort.

Whether it’s once a week or once a month, this will not only draw a wider crowd but also extend the amount of time, and money, customers are spending at your restaurant. Plus, it’s just another perk that you can advertise!

Offer a Special Menu

Most of the time, happy hour discounts are on drinks and appetizers that are already on the menu. However, if you spend time creating a menu just for happy hour, customers are more likely to stop by and try these offerings.

If you spend time creating a menu just for happy hour, customers are more likely to stop by and try those drinks or food.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to happy hour, but the gist is that it should be a unique and relaxing experience for your customers that’s affordable, so they can enjoy it on the reg. Then, it’s all about spreading the word!

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Hospitality Hiring: Why Utilize Online Hiring Platforms

Hospitality Hiring: Why Utilize Online Hiring Platforms

by | Aug 15, 2016 | Business Toolkit, IndiTips

Believe it or not folks, but with every new restaurant opening and new opportunities lying around every corner, we are competing for talent.

Hospitality hiring right now

Effective hiring practices within the hospitality industry are more paramount than ever. We have seen a sharp increase in the national turnover rate, which has risen from 56% five years ago to 70% in 2016. This is a trend that has to slow down if we are going to control cost and maintain a consistent level of service in the years to come.

So, what’s the cause? Much of the problem has to do with outdated hiring practices that don’t consider the patterns and behaviors of this generation of workers.  Namely their desire to work for companies whose brands they admire and relate to as well as those that present clear growth opportunities. 

The solution? Utilizing hiring platforms that can simultaneously reach industry professionals on a broad scale and convey the personal message for which they are searching. In other words, hiring apps that are online and mobile-friendly. 

For years we have been relying on paper applications, “Help Wanted” signs and word of mouth to fill open positions at our establishments.

Out with the old…

For years we have been relying on paper applications, “Help Wanted” signs and word of mouth to fill open positions at our establishments. Using professional and modern online hiring platforms that are industry specific will help modernize some of these outdated hiring practices and will assist in providing a solution to our industry’s turnover problem.

There are some key features with sites like ours, that make the hiring process smoother and more efficient. We have built a central network full of industry professionals seeking positions within companies just like yours. One of the first things that need to happen is marketing and branding yourself in a way that attracts top talent.

Marketing your concept & culture

Why should job seekers choose to work for your company over a competitor? What aspects of your concept and culture make you stand out? These are all questions to ask yourself when you’ve decided to create an account with professional online hiring platforms.

One of the best features on Sirvo is the ability to create a business page and to customize it in a fashion that best represents your brand. This is done by being able to post a business profile picture and a cover photo that showcases one of those great Instagram photos you’ve posted over the years. There is also an area where you can break down your style of cuisine, concept or company motto or mission statement.

Posting an open position is another way for you to brand and market your company, by including specifics to requirements, qualifications and benefits of working for your type of establishment. You want to reach as many qualified candidates as possible and the only way to do so is by presenting yourself and your open position in the best light possible. Your business profile page and it’s look is essential to making a great first impression.

Effective hiring practices within the hospitality industry are more paramount than ever.

Streamline the hiring process

Besides the advantages of being inside of a network and broadcasting open positions specific to your industry’s talent pool, is the benefit to utilizing our Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). What is ATS exactly? Well on Sirvo it’s a feature that allows you to do a number of things like:

  • Receive notifications of new applicants
  • View applicant profiles
  • Categorize applicants in a “qualified” or “declined” category
  • Message applicants directly to set interviews

Boom! Our ATS speeds up the process and centralizes communication within one network. No more getting emails with sketchy attachments or from applicants that you have zero background information on. With Sirvo, both the job seeker and your business have a better idea of who they may be partnering with in the near future.

If we continue to only consider the seven people that walked through our doors to fill out a paper application the last two weeks, then we are essentially eliminating a very large pool of qualified individuals online.

Time to enter the 21st century

We need to face the facts here, we are operating within a hiring process that is outdated and is in desperate need for an update. This isn’t a criticism, it’s a reality. We have been stuck in our old ways of doing things and we are an industry reluctant to change. Utilizing online hiring platforms will save you time, money and will assist in creating a well-rounded team of new hires. If we continue to only consider the seven people that walked through our doors to fill out a paper application the last two weeks, then we are essentially eliminating a very large pool of qualified individuals online.

Aren’t you tired of hiring and training constantly? Isn’t day to day business easier when you have a full staff? This is a fast growing, competitive industry, let’s stop trying to fill space and let’s invest in our hiring process so that we hire the actual “best” candidate to join our team!

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How to Create a Great Restaurant Atmosphere

How to Create a Great Restaurant Atmosphere

by | May 31, 2016 | Business Toolkit, Management

Your restaurant may have great-tasting food, but if the atmosphere is bland or distasteful, it will overshadow the quality of the meal. Not only will customers be unlikely to return but they’ll also spread negative reviews. On the flip side, a great restaurant atmosphere will make the fare taste better, keep your customers around longer and ensure that they’ll return again and again. This is why the atmosphere of a restaurant is just as important as the food, if not more so.

Lighting

The lighting in a restaurant should strike a balance that makes customers feel comfortable. During the day, when the sun is shining, the lighting should be brighter to fit the energetic atmosphere of the day. When day turns to night, the lights should be dimmed to capture that quieter, more intimate feeling.

When it comes to lighting, also consider what type of lighting fixtures fit the concept. For example, for an elegant, romantic restaurant, chandeliers and candles would work well, but not so much for a modern restaurant concept.

Color & Décor

The colors in your restaurant, on the wall and on the plate, have an impact on the dining experience. While warm colors such as red and orange ramp up appetite, cooler colors dampen hunger. Color combinations have similar effects; less contrast between the color of food and the plate on which it’s served has been shown to increase the amount of food consumed.

When making decisions about color, keep not only the concept and brand in mind but also the effect it will have on customers.

Décor is important as well. Simply put, bare walls in a restaurant are unappealing. The artwork and décor on the walls help set the mood and expresses the creative point of view of the restaurant. Each room should have a point of focus, but nothing too overbearing or busy as to detract from the elegance or balance of the overall design.

Music

For your atmosphere to be cohesive, the music needs to fit the restaurant. For upscale dining, music should be subdued and calming. In more casual restaurants, louder and faster music can help create a more social atmosphere.

For a bar or very social establishment, live music can be a great draw. Also, keep in mind that faster music leads to faster eating and quicker turnover. And, when it comes to volume, it should always fit the size of the room so customers don’t have to strain to speak over the noise.

Furniture & Layout

Furniture can have a big impact on the guest experience. It should fit the concept just as lighting, but needs to be inviting and comfortable. That said if you’re looking to turn tables over quickly, going too comfortable won’t be a good choice as guests will tend to stay longer.

Tables and chairs specifically should also be durable and easy to keep clean.

As for layout, tables should have enough space between them so that customers aren’t squeezed together, but close enough to retain a social atmosphere. If possible, separate small tables from large ones, because a single person or couple may be overwhelmed by the ruckus from a large group.

Personalized Service

Excellent layout and décor are only effective if the service is up to the same standard. Service staff including hosts, servers and server assistants should be attentive and polite without being stiff or overbearing. Service staff should also be knowledgeable; when asked about the menu or restaurant in general, having an answer at the ready is always best practice. Next best is making an effort to find the answer.

When keeping all these aspects in mind, it’s important to understand the organic nature of a great restaurant atmosphere. The ambiance shouldn’t be forced, but instead, develop naturally by adapting to the customers’ needs and the environment of the surrounding neighborhood. So, after putting the basic elements in place, let the ship steer itself.

Final Rule on Overtime Pay Eligibility for Salary Employees

Final Rule on Overtime Pay Eligibility for Salary Employees

by | May 25, 2016 | Business Toolkit, Management

It’s official, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) long-awaited rule on overtime pay eligibility was made final this past Monday, May 23, 2016. And, when it goes into effect on December 1, 2016, it will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation.

While the actual rule is 508 pages in length, the DOL released a 3-page summary, which boils down to these points:

  • Guarantees time-and-half pay to any salaried employee earning under $47,476 a year ($913 a week) and who works more than 40 hours in a week.
  • Automatically updates the salary threshold every three years, tying it to the 40th percentile of full-time salaried workers in the lowest-income Census region. The first update would be Jan. 1, 2020. Furthermore, the DOL projects a salary threshold of $51,000 by Jan. 1, 2020.
  • Makes no changes in the duties tests used to determine whether a salaried employee above the threshold is considered exempt from overtime pay.
  • For the first time, it allows certain bonuses and incentive payments to count toward up to 10 percent of the new salary level if the payments are made on at least a quarterly basis.

Several industries will be affected by this change, but there’s no doubt that the biggest impact will be on the service industry including restaurants and hospitality businesses. As such, there’s no shortage of controversy surrounding the issue.

In fact, lawmakers, employers and non-profits are joining together and calling for “immediate legislative efforts to defund, block or nullilfy the rule,” the reason being that “the threshold for exempt employees in the final regulations is still too high.”

For more information about the final rule on overtime pay for salary employees, click here →

Sirvo Partners with Indeed.com

Sirvo Partners with Indeed.com

by | May 20, 2016 | Sirvo Stories

Launch of the Indeed integration provides diversified hiring channels for employers and job seekers in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industry.

DENVER, COLORADO – May 20, 2016 – Sirvo, a modern web app for hospitality recruitment, and Indeed, the leading job search engine, today announced the launch of an integration partnership that automatically publishes Sirvo job listings to the Indeed engine, providing employers with an expanded talent pool and job seekers with new employment opportunities.

The technology is integrated into Sirvo’s job creator tool, which seamlessly publishes job listings to the Indeed platform, requiring no additional action from Sirvo users. This partnership allows employers to simultaneously take advantage of Sirvo’s optimized hiring tools while engaging Indeed’s large user base that spans the country.

“Compared to many other industries, hiring managers in restaurants and hospitality have to hire twice as many people in half the time. They need digital tools and a way to engage job seekers on a broad scale. That’s why this partnership with Indeed makes so much sense.” – Stephanie Maxwell, Sirvo CEO

When a listing is clicked, job seekers are directed to Sirvo, where they can immediately apply for jobs online and communicate with employers at their convenience. Not only does this streamline the application process for industry professionals but also increases accessibility to industry influencers, decision-makers and opportunities.

“Unlike other job-finding sites that funnel listings IN, Sirvo only funnels them OUT. Thus, creating a curated job library for applicants with no risk of applying to the same job multiple times.” – Stephanie Maxwell, Sirvo CEO

With few technology-based hiring platforms, the restaurant, retail and hospitality industry maintains antiquated hiring practices that lead to wasted resources and high-turnover. From start to finish, the process is burdensome, requiring job seekers to physically search and apply for job openings and forcing employers to make hurried decisions that do not last.

Sirvo’s platform, including the Indeed integration, is introducing an all-digital hiring solution tailored for the service industry that is comprehensive, convenient and efficient.

For more information about Sirvo and its partner program, please contact [email protected].

About Sirvo

Sirvo, named Best New Startup 2015 is a modern web app for hospitality recruitment. Sirvo helps better connect employers and job seekers by providing easy access to business and talent profiles, powerful search, as well as collaborative hiring tools for a smooth, streamlined hiring process. For more information, visit Sirvo.com.

About Indeed

Indeed is the #1 job search engine in the world and allows job seekers to search millions of jobs on the web or mobile in over 50 countries and 28 languages. More than 180 million people each month search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies on Indeed. For more information, visit Indeed.com.