19 minute read

OPERATORS’ GUIDE TO SKIPPING THE SUMMER SLOWDOWN

from Food & Beverage Magazine - June Issue 2023 Celebrity Cover

from Food & Beverage Magazine - June Issue 2023 Celebrity Cover, page 95

THE BEE NECESSITIES

By Russ Spencer, Senior Director of Restaurant Success at Craftable

The temperature isn’t the only thing rising this season–so are opportunities to drive sales within your hospitality business. To ensure your bar or restaurant is set up for success, invest time and resources into the technology needed to secure historical, industry, and current data to make decisions that improve your overall bottom line.

Current Market Snapshot

Historically, operators have used year-over-year data to predict future sales, inventory, labor and more. This data can provide operators with a greater understanding and proactive approach to challenges that may arise. However, operations over the past few years have been anything but conventional due to the COVID pandemic and may not be relied upon to make these crucial predictions.

It’s important to consider smaller data sets such as quarter over quarter, week over week, and day over day. Technology that can track data and provide further insight helps operators make the necessary decisions to improve their bottom lines.

Operators should take into account the number of guests and tickets. Guest counts defne the business’s market share, tickets defne the number of party transactions, and sales defne what happens with the market’s share. Understanding the trafc fow of guest counts and tickets helps operators schedule more efciently, and understanding the product mix helps determine how to order and stock accordingly.

Efficiently Manage Resources

Operators should also consider their business’s largest cost factors, food and labor. Two of this year’s top industry challenges include higher food costs and understafng. According to the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, 62% of operators say their restaurant can’t support customer demand with the number of staffers they currently have on hand.

When looking to control labor, it’s important to consider productivity and efciency. Productivity is measured by the number of guests divided by labor hours. Labor efciency is measured by how efciently a given workforce can accomplish a task compared to what was scheduled. Consider, “How many hours did I use versus how many hours did I schedule?”

Operators should revisit this data set regularly to ensure that labor is used efciently. No restaurant wants extra staff working when it’s quiet, and employees will appreciate being provided better coverage and tips during busier times.

BALANCE DEMAND WITH HOURS, FOOD AND LABOR

To drive business during slower hours, operators should consider offering deals to entice new customers. According to the 2023 NRA report, 79% of adults would likely take advantage of discounts for dining on off-peak days.

To balance labor and cost, add “speed scratch” items that require less labor. That labor can then be reallocated to drive sales. Instead of using one back-of-house staff member to cook and two to prep, use a speed scratch item to free up one of the preppers. Operators can also use tactics like batching cocktails to streamline customer service and reduce wait times.

Optimize Your Offerings

Although food prices are predicted to increase at a slower pace in 2023 compared to 2022, it is still above the historical average rate. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Food

Price Outlook, all food prices are predicted to increase by 6.5% this year, with a 4.9 - 8.2% prediction interval.

With this rise in cost, operators should categorize menu items based on the highlow relationship to proftability and popularity, also known as menu engineering. This process analyzes each menu item’s contribution to proft against how often it is purchased. Customers’ purchasing behavior is often infuenced by their visual attention to a menu item. With a greater understanding of each item’s popularity and proftability, you should design a menu to drive maximum proft while balancing execution and brand integrity.

Shortening the menu and letting your star dishes shine will achieve this goal. When trimming your menu, introduce variety into the mix, even while cutting back the ingredients and labor needed to produce plates. You can utilize ingredients left over from favorite dishes and incorporate them into creative, new dishes.

Incorporating Technology

Operators should integrate technology to streamline and make operations more efcient. More than half of operators surveyed by the NRA said that using tech to enhance rather than replace human labor and automation will become more common in 2023.

Comprehensive real-time data is critical for restaurant owners and staff to optimize operations and customer experiences. Utilizing platforms like Craftable, which integrates with POS systems like Square, can help provide full visibility into hospitality operations, connecting purchases with sales data and labor in real-time.

Take Action

For operators, it’s important to note that success doesn’t come from what is done occasionally, but rather consistently. Use this season as an opportunity to jumpstart regularly reviewing business operational insights and use strategic tactics–resource management, balancing demand with labor and optimizing offerings–to support immediate and long-term growth.

Russ Spencer, Senior Director of Restaurant Success at Craftable

Russ Spencer is the Senior Director of Restaurant Success at Craftable, a cutting-edge technology company that empowers restaurants, bars, hotels, and hospitality businesses, both big and small. Bringing over 30 years of experience as an accomplished multi-unit operator working in day-to-day hospitality operations, Russ has a strong understanding of the benchmarks needed for a restaurant’s fnancial success. In 2015, he began consulting with independent restaurants to fnd proftability within their operations. Through COVID-19, Russ was part of a team of specialized consultants focused on using government legislation to help small businesses navigate the uncharted times by maximizing their pandemic relief benefts and setting up their businesses for long-term success. Using this information, he helps take early measures to address opportunities with tailored solutions to increase operations’ margins and efciencies.

30a Distilling Co

30A Distilling Co drew inspiration from Florida beaches, cane sugar from Louisiana, and fresh peaches from Chilton County, Alabama, for a truly immersive southern experience. The vodka base is distilled pure and fltered clear, and the famous peaches add a bright sweetness that will make you feel like you’re on vacation all year long. Use it in a simple vodka soda, or get creative with a peaches ‘n’ cream cocktail.

135° EAST

135° East’s ingredients merge East and West to create the perfect balance of dry gin with spicy sansho pepper and foral, citrusy notes of yuzu each blended in 135° East Gin. Each botanical is sourced from local farmers or specialized vendors then distilled separately to preserve the botanicals’ characteristics. This process allows better control of the fnal blending process when sake spirit is added. Once distilled, the gin has a typical soft sweetness which gently intwines and harmonizes the fve Japanese botanicals. It is a refreshing sip for summer days served with tonic and fresh citrus.

A-SHA NOODLES

A-Sha Noodles is a cult-favorite brand known for their patented, 100-year-old legacy noodle recipe from Tainan, Taiwan. They have launched their frst ever Hello Kitty Boba Kit online and in Albertsons nationwide. The all-in-one Boba Kit comes in a specially designed, Hello-Kitty themed package with 8 packs and everything you need to make Brown Sugar Latté bubble tea at home in under 5 minutes.

30a Distilling Co

135° EAST

A-SHA NOODLES

ATORIA’S FAMILY BAKERY

Atoria’s Family Bakery’s personal Traditional Pizza Crusts make any meal let’s-just-eat-what’s-in-the-fridge easy. Whether it’s making a meal for the entire family or just a quick dinner for one, these individual crusts will make people say, “Home is where the pizza is.” All Atoria’s Family Bakery fatbreads are a mighty meal solution, ideal for wraps, pinwheels, panini, dips, chips and any meal or snack throughout the day. But their newest fatbreads were designed for pizza. Each crust is baked with real, simple ingredients and no artifcial colors, favors or preservatives. The Traditional Pizza Crust is made with real olive oil to give the crust a crunchy bite with a soft inside.

B Renj Ger Honey Bourbon

The only imported honey bourbon where American heritage meets 18th century Germany, Bärenjäger Honey Bourbon is a delicious blend of premium honey liqueur infused with American bourbon whiskey. Produced in Germany by Schwarze & Schlicte with over 350 years of distilling tradition, this smooth and all-natural bourbon stands out from its competitors. A balanced oaky taste with distinct lingering honey notes makes Bärenjäger Honey Bourbon ideal for sipping straight, over ice, or as the addition to any summer cocktail.

Photo credits: Beautiful Booze Cocktails

Bombarda Rum Co

Bombarda Rum Co is proud to announce that its Falconet Dark Rum Blend has been awarded the prestigious Best in Show and Double Gold Award at the recent Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America event in Orlando, FL. The competition is one of the most highly regarded in the spirits industry, attracting entries from some of the world’s most respected producers. The Best in Show award is the highest possible accolade, reserved for spirits that are deemed to be of exceptional quality and taste. The Falconet Dark Rum Blend is a carefully crafted blend of aged rums, with a rich and complex favor profle that is both smooth and full-bodied. Awards like these are a testament to the company’s dedication to producing high-quality rums. The Falconet Dark Rum Blend is a true representation of Bombarda’s commitment to producing rums that are true to the history and culture of rum-making.

CHEF JOE’S CAROLINA RED BARBECUE SAUCE

Chef Joe’s Carolina Red Barbecue Sauce is a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of traditional Carolina barbecue favors. Created by Chef Joe Gera from the YouTube channel, From Scratch: With Love, and inspired by his work with various professional and collegiate sports leagues, this sauce is a harmonious blend of tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet elements that will elevate any grilled or smoked dish to new heights. Crafted with a deep appreciation for the region’s barbecue heritage, Chef Joe’s Carolina Red Barbecue Sauce features a rich tomato base infused with a symphony of spices like paprika, garlic, and black pepper. The key ingredient that sets this sauce apart is the carefully balanced blend of vinegar and mustard, which gives it a distinctive Carolina-style tang. With its bold taste and superb craftsmanship, this sauce is a testament to Chef Joe’s culinary prowess and his love for the art of barbecue.

COSMIC CARROT CHEWS™

Cosmic Carrot Chews™ are the newest kid-friendly snack from Eat the Change®. They are created by gently-cooking organic carrots and infusing them with organic fruit juice and natural favors, then dehydrating the carrots to create a yummy, chewy texture. Eat The Change has created the frst to market vegetable kids’ snacks designed for kids (ages 3+). It is made from just four simple ingredients like organic carrots and fruit juice. Cosmic Carrot Chews™ are USDA organic certifed, OU Kosher, Vegan, contain one full serving of carrots, and are sweetened with only organic fruit juice. Each pouch is considered an excellent source of Vitamin A and provides a healthier alternative to the “fruit snack” category.

Bulwark Orchard

There’s nothing quite like Bulwark Orchard Peach cider when it comes to non-alcoholic beverages. The delicate aroma of tree ripe peaches calls to mind warm summer breezes. Crisp and lightly sweet, this delicious drink is infused with juicy fruit favors adding a bright note to the apple blend.

DRY SODA CO.

DRY Soda Co.’s Rosé Soleil brings a delicate botanical-infused, sparkling zero-proof Rosé to the table. Crafted with hints of strawberry, rose, and oak, Rosé Soleil Botanical Bubbly Reserve gives a fruit-forward bouquet and a crisp fnish with every sip. Inspired by Provence-style Rosé, this zero-proof sip emulates a dry, minerally, yet delicately foral sparkling Rosé, made alcohol-free without sacrifcing any favor or complexity. Packaged in premium 64-ounce glass bottles and sold individually, DRY Botanical Bubbly Reserve is made with all-natural, non-GMO, low sugar, and Kosher ingredients, and is free of gluten, caffeine, and sodium.

DENVER BEER CO.

Denver Beer Co. has teamed up with their good friends at Local Hive Honey to bring you Backyard Buzz Honey Wheat, a refreshing take on a traditional wheat ale. The result is a light, easy-drinking wheat beer that is crisp and refreshing, with a perfect touch of sweetness from locally sourced Colorado honey. This summer we raise a glass to the local bees- we all love a good Backyard Buzz. Like all of Denver Beer Co.’s beer, Backyard Buzz is brewed and packaged using 100% solar power. The beer will be offered in cans and on draft across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Kansas, and available at all Denver Beer Taprooms.

CRAIG’S VEGAN

Made with real organic Chamberlain Coffee, Craig’s Vegan Cold Brew Coffee ice cream is a modern, plant-based spin on the frozen dessert you know and love. Churned to perfection with full-bodied coffee hand-roasted with care, Craig’s and Chamberlain Coffee are a match made in heaven. Craig’s Vegan ice cream is made with a creamy, premium cashew base that is 100% vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher. The brand uses the freshest, natural ingredients and there are no added preservatives, artifcial favors, colors or high fructose corn syrup. Craig’s Vegan is available at select retailers nationwide and online. In addition to Craig’s LA restaurant and its scoop shop in the heart of Resorts World Las Vegas, Craig’s Vegan can also be found on the menus of popular restaurants like Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, and Burger Lounge in iconic classic shakes.

Electrolit

Electrolit added Blue Raspberry to its expansive line of hydration beverages in 2023. Blue Raspberry is a classic favor packed with Electrolit’s scientifcally-backed formula to hydrate consumers while tasting great. Electrolit Blue Raspberry is a classic convenience store take on Electrolit’s tried and true formula. Each 21 f. Oz serving of Electrolit contains 326 mg of electrolytes alongside real glucose - a natural source of energy that boosts the body’s recovery from dehydration. Every bottle is carefully constructed in a state-of-theart facility with a fully automated and integrated manufacturing process. With such, Electrolit seeks to make premium-grade hydration accessible and suitable for all consumers. Scientifcally formulated with magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium and glucose, Electrolit provides complete hydration and replenishment when electrolytes and ions are low. Electrolit is available at Walmart, Kroger, HEB, 7-Eleven, Circle K and more, and online channels.

Fabrizia

Fabrizia’s Italian Style Lemonade ready-to-drink canned cocktail is made with Fabrizia Limoncello, freshly squeezed lemonade from Sicilian lemons and premium vodka to bring you “summer in a can.” Fabrizia imports lemons from their lemon grove in Sicily, Italy and uses them as a foundation for their spirits products. The Zest is infused in pure alcohol, which produces the bright yellow color found in their Limoncello and the remainder of the lemon is juiced to form the foundation of their canned cocktails. The lemons are grown in a perfect microclimate. The rich volcanic soil and warm winds from the Mediterranean Sea produce the most fragrant lemons in the world. Fabrizia’s ability to source the fnest fruit from Italy to produce their Italian Style Lemonade freshly, without adding artifcial coloring or preservatives, puts their company in a unique position to provide an authentically prepared, outstanding canned cocktail with a distinct Italian twist.

Fast Penny Spirits

Fast Penny Spirits is a woman-owned and operated amaro distillery and Certifed B Corp™. Based in Seattle and inspired by the founder’s Italian heritage, the company is committed to stirring up change. Blended with a combination of the highest-quality, wild-crafted, organic, and consciously sourced botanicals, Fast Penny’s spirits are rich, herbaceous, and captivating. Luxurious and refned, their Italian-style amaro is beautifully complex to sip on its own or swirl into a cocktail. Amaricano Rossa is unapologetically rich and full with aromas of toasted sugar and dark fruit. Rounded black trufe, vanilla bean and cocoa nib with a savory and lightly bitter fnish seal the deal. With a constant eye on environmental impact and a 3% Pretty Penny give-back program, Fast Penny Spirits is dedicated to supporting and empowering women, local communities, and the hospitality industry.

Fordham Lee Distillery

Blueberry Swirl is a small-batch, handcrafted spirit by the master distillers at Fordham Lee Distillery. Imagine the taste of sweet blueberry ice cream blended with white whiskey.

Sipping on Blueberry Swirl is a taste of nostalgia linking you back to a simpler time. Enjoy over ice for a refreshing dessert drink or mix with ice cream or iced coffee for a sweet and chilling treat.

Flying Embers

Flying Embers’ new Pineapple Sunset Hard Kombucha is shaping up to be the ready-to-drink beverage of the summer. A tropical spin on the classic sunrise cocktail, this 8% ABV Hard Kombucha delights with big bursts of fresh pineapple, balanced with tart pomegranate and a subtle splash of coconut, perfectly capturing that magical summer sunset moment in a can. Only 155 calories per can, Pineapple Sunset, like all of Flying Embers’ Hard Kombuchas and Canned Cocktails have no sugar, no carbs and are made only using fresh, organic ingredients. Perfect for all of those summer party situations whether on a patio, a beach, by a pool or passenger on a boat.

Fila Manila

Fila Manila, the #1 Filipino American food brand, and Kasama, the small batch Filipino rum brand that brings a breath of fresh air to the rum category, have collaborated to bring customers Isla Sauce —a boozy pineapple rum sauce that brings a taste of the Philippines straight to home kitchens across the US just in time for the Summer grilling season. The name nods to the 7,000+ islands that make up the Philippines and the bright, sunny favor profle celebrates the spirit of the Southeast Asian country. Kasama x Fila Manila’s Isla Sauce also aims to modernize and play into the nostalgia of classic Asian sweet and sour sauce with a tangy yet sweet profle that’s tropical and fruity, complete with a splash of Kasama rum and crushed pineapple made to complement your favorite summer and grilled dishes.

Fusion Jerky

New from Fusion Jerky, Japanese BBQ. Soaked in a marinade of soy sauce, salted mirin, and sesame make this sweet and savory treat one that will jostle your taste buds with joy. Handcrafted and minimally processed using beef raised in the USA, with no preservatives, no added MSG, no added nitrites, and gluten-free, delivers a uniquely delicious and tender artisan jerky.

Gimme

Gimme Seaweed’s Chili Lime Roasted Seaweed Snacks are USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verifed, only 30 calories per serving, and an excellent source of vitamins B12 & K and iodine. What’s more, each 10g pack is equal to a serving of veggies. These umami rich snacks are roasted to light and crispy perfection. This favor can be found in Whole Foods Market nationwide and online.

Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie Original 10 Years Old is the perfect single malt for everyone’s summer drinks rotation. Hailing from one of Scotland’s most renowned Highland distilleries, The Original is light, bright, and ready to enjoy neat, over ice, or in a refreshing highball.

Scotch is often an afterthought when it comes to summer imbibing, but the key to choosing the best single malt for sweltering temps is to avoid anything overly smokey and heavy, and instead, opt for a lighter expression with more delicate fruit favors. Glenmorangie 10 Years Old’s notes of orange, honey, vanilla, and peach make this a summer ideal, ready to enjoy poolside and beyond.

GLENROY, INC.

As part of Glenroy, Inc.’s TruRenu® sustainable fexible packaging portfolio, and made with 100% polyethylene, the recyclable STANDCAP is poised to help major food & beverage brands in their efforts to achieve their sustainability and ESG goals. Not only does the recyclable STANDCAP have the potential to eliminate millions of pounds of plastic from being produced every year*, it also delivers a lower carbon footprint through using 42% less fossil fuel, emitting 52% less greenhouse gas emissions, using 70% less water, and reducing landfll waste by 30% (as compared to the rigid plastic alternative). Furthermore, the recyclable STANDCAP can help eliminate food waste through its ability to evacuate nearly 99% of the product inside. *Glenroy estimates that if just one leading condiment manufacturer switched only 10% of its ketchup bottles to the recyclable STANDCAP, it would eliminate 2,600,000 pounds of plastic from being produced and landflled every year

Harvest Shreds

Harvest Shreds are a sustainable shredded plant protein loaded with craveable umami and boasting 16g protein (3 oz portion) with a clean, low-fat label. It provides an all-natural, mouthwatering, blank canvas, allowing chefs to build layered signature favor combos while creating myriad dishes with just one protein. This vegan, shredded, umami-laden plant protein addresses the key challenge facing the alt meat protein category: a craveable taste and texture that rivals the experience of eating meat that’s also Better for You — Better for the Planet. The shredded form’s versatility makes it ideal for multi-use: bowls, wraps, stir fries, tacos, sandwiches, scrambles, and mains.

Hell Fire Detroit

HELL FIRE DETROIT is an artisan hot sauce company founded by Don Button. It was launched in 2015 at Making it in Michigan where it was awarded best of show for quality, favor, and brand design. Made by hand with fresh fre-roasted chiles, this hot sauce highlights the unique characteristics of heat and favor profle of the Habanero chile. Habanero was featured on Season 9 of Hot Ones, a popular YouTube show, where celebrities attempt to be interviewed as they eat increasingly hot chicken wings. HELL FIRE DETROIT is sold in over 350 stores in Michigan and over 200 stores in other states and countries.

Ithaca Hummus

If you’ve ever enjoyed a crunchy cuke, straight from the garden or a giant pickle from the pickle tent at the farmer’s market…you will love this hummus. This curiously crisp and fresh dill pickle hummus blends real Grillo’s Pickles with Ithaca’s distinctive cold-crafted hummus. The next showstopper to take over your summer BBQs, Ithaca Grillo’s Pickles Hummus levels up burgers and hot dogs with a tangy, pickleforward bite and is a crave-worthy dip for potato chips or any crunchy treat. Plus, it’s plant-based, vegan, Non-GMO Project Verifed, glutenfree and contains no artifcial ingredients.

Kettle Brand

It was kind of a BIG day in the world of potato chips when Kettle Brand, a pioneer in the premium kettle-cooked category, elevated snacking to a new level this year by unveiling Kettle Air Fried, the new kettle-cooked, air-fried potato chip. Backed by an innovative “We Got an Air Fryer” social campaign, Kettle leveled up the already bold, signature Kettle favor with new air-fried favors like Jalapeno, Sea Salt & Vinegar, and Himalayan Salt. Kettle Air Fried delivers a light and beautifully crispy texture that’s packed with favor and comes with 30% less fat. It’s also made with patent-pending technology that marks the future of the potato chip category. The brand has been a leader in the category since 1978 when its founder sold chips out of the back of a van.

La Tierra De Acre

Born out of Cabo’s chic Acre Resort for which the brand is named, La Tierra de Acre’s gold award-winning Cenizo Mezcal is the go-to mezcal for all of your elevated smoky summer cocktail needs. Although the Espadin variety is most common, La Tierra de Acre’s Cenizo Mezcal has a complex taste profle with spicy, peppery notes, an earthy texture along with a very smooth fnish making it great to sip or a nice way to up your cocktail game this summer. There’s nothing like a fresh and spicy Mezcal Margarita for that summer BBQ.

Leaves Of Leisure

Leaves of Leisure and FrutaPOP are launching a limited edition herbal tea-infused rosé ice pop for Summer 2023 featuring Leaves of Leisure Picnic in the Park Tea.

The rosé wine and hibiscus tea pairing is the perfect boozy delight for summer outings with friends, picnics in the park and backyard BBQ’s.

Lola Snacks

Lola Snacks is on a mission to support gut health since 70% of Americans struggle daily with gut issues from bloating to IBS. Lola Snacks are the frst energy bars to focus on self care and nourish your gut to stop the BS in IBS, boost immunity and give you more energy. Founder and CEO Mary Molina started Lola Snacks because her family was having gut health issues and she needed a snack that tasted good, supported gut good health with pre + probiotics, plant-based and free from gluten, dairy and sugar alcohols. It all started with the original favor Cranberry Almond named after her daughter LOLA and now includes Dark Chocolate Cherry, Dark Chocolate Almond, Dark Chocolate Peanut and Blueberry Almond that tastes like a blueberry mufn and is available in retailers nationwide and online.

Mccain Foods

Introducing award-winning McCain Mini MashersTM. They’re a new way to do potatoes. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and crazy good. Perfect for customizing with signature sauces and seasonings. These ready-to-fry potato shareables are delicious on their own, or ready to customize with sauces and seasonings and can be cooked in under three and a half minutes to allow for maximum culinary creativity that keeps customers coming back for more.

Mojo

MOJO mousse is an artisanal chocolate mousse made in the oldfashioned, traditional Belgian way. With fresh and high-end ingredients, the brand offers four different favors: Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, Hazelnut and Milk Chocolate and Passion Fruit Mousse. MOJO Desserts are available in several stores across the U.S., such as Butterfeld Market and Fresh Direct. The mousse is also available at the MOJO Mousse Bar in East Harlem, NY.

Mozart Chocolate Liqueur

Mozart Chocolate Strawberry is a light creamy strawberry chocolate liqueur with fruity strawberry favor and elegant notes of vanilla. Masterly perfection and indulgence with an exceptional taste are the characteristics of Mozart Chocolate Liqueur. A symphony of natural raw ingredients, blended in defned proportions to enhance the overall favor profle. Experience the light strawberry chocolate sensation, a delicately melting indulgence by Mozart Chocolate Liqueur. It is perfect for warm weather days served in a boozy milkshake.

NATURE’S BAKERY

Nature’s Bakery’s Double Chocolate Brownies are deliciously fudgy and make perfect soft-baked bites for your next snack break. Made with wholesome whole grains, real cocoa and dates, this plant-based, dairy-free, and nutfree brownie is 100% delicious. Nature’s Bakery Brownie can be purchased starting today online and Amazon.com, followed by an in-store release at select national retailers beginning Summer 2023.

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Food & Beverage Magazine - June Issue 2023 Celebrity Cover

by Food & Beverage Magazine