By Kristin Dyak The COVID-19 pandemic has put pizzeria operators in a unique position. On one hand, it has introduced diverse operational challenges, from supply chain disruptions to the sudden and complete loss of any revenue that would have come from events such as the NCAA basketball tournament and in-restaurant … More
Tips from the Team
How Brenen’s Restaurant Group Retains Its Best Employees
By Brian Hernandez Attaining and retaining quality employees is one of the key ingredients to running a successful business. But it has become increasingly difficult in the restaurant industry to find these diamonds in the rough. Unless they are truly happy, odds are that your gems will end up in … More
Eye on the Chains
Eye on the Chains – June/July 2020
CPK Market Offers Groceries and Meal Kits The coronavirus pandemic has prompted California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) to move into the meal kit and grocery business in a big way. In early April, the Playa Vista, California-based chain introduced CPK Market, which provides specialty meal kits as well as pantry and … More
Coronavirus News
Who Ya Gonna Call? Ghosts Keep Guests at Safe Social Distance
Ghosts love pizza, too, which might explain why the dining room at Trattoria Pizzeria Da Luigi appears to be haunted. Or maybe it’s just a frighteningly clever marketing ploy devised by owner Luigi Cutraro’s wife? Cutraro reopened his eatery in Royal Oak, Michigan, recently after three months in lockdown due … More
Business & Marketing
How to Improve Your Pizzeria’s Outdoor Dining Experience During the Pandemic
As many restaurants struggle to make money under pandemic-related restrictions on dine-in capacity, cities around the country are taking steps to make it easier to move dining outdoors. And that means now could be the time to take a second look at your pizzeria’s outdoor dining facilities and consider how … More
Business & Marketing
Heroes To Go: How the Pandemic Became the Pizza Industry’s Finest Hour
By Rick Hynum In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic this spring, two worrisome questions haunted every waking hour—and, most likely, the late-night dreams—of pizzeria owners nationwide: When will things get back to normal, and what will “normal” look like? Seemingly overnight, their world had turned upside down, capsized by … More
Marketing Idea Zone
How to Adapt and Stay Strong During the COVID-19 Crisis
With traditional restaurant dining rooms closed, pizzerias are uniquely positioned to grow. Some key points to keep in mind: Pizzerias can take advantage of the 44% to 64% increase in local business searches for takeout and fast food. Market analysts are giving “buy” ratings for stock in pizza delivery chains due to … More
SmartMarket
Our Town America: Get the Word Out about Your Pizzeria
By Brittany Johnson The past few months have thrown a curveball at restaurant owners. While your restaurant may still be open for business—feeding locals, healthcare workers and others on the frontlines—the way you’re running your restaurant right now is probably not “business as usual.” Dine-in has taken a back seat … More
Accounting For Your Money
How Do I Get My PPP Loan Forgiven by the SBA?
Q: Is my SBA loan through the CARES Act forgivable? And what do I need to do to stay compliant with federal requirements governing my loan? A: Yes, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan is forgivable if you follow the actual intent of the law and interpretations that have been … More
Marketing Idea Zone
Marketing: The Investment in Your Pizzeria’s Future Sales
Strategic direct mail through Mail Shark remains one of the most effective marketing mediums for pizzerias. Having the right marketing plan is critical to the success of your pizzeria. Marketing is your investment in the future sales of your business and, as a matter of fact, marketing is the only … More
SmartMarket
Is It Time to Audit Your Online Ordering Experience?
SpeedLine Solutions will help you identify the common friction points to ensure customer satisfaction. COVID-19 has forced us to reevaluate how we connect with each other, examining every interaction for the possibility of spreading germs. We’ve had to go through our businesses and look for ways to provide a contactless … More
SmartMarket
PDQ POS Helps Pizzerias Rise to the COVID-19 Challenge
The pandemic has upended the restaurant industry in ways unthinkable just a few months ago. PDQ understands the hardships owners are facing as COVID-19 continues to challenge us in myriad ways. As the No. 1-rated pizzeria POS, PDQ recognizes your current dependence on off-premises solutions like online ordering and contactless … More