Claire Klein’s Post

In 2024, while food delivery thrives, the once-promising ghost kitchen trend is faltering. Despite early hype and substantial venture funding, the industry has failed to meet expectations. Check out the CNBC video below to learn more about the evolution, decline, and future of ghost kitchens: https://lnkd.in/e-_TNFW8 #technology #innovation #investing #venturecapital #marketing DeLon Thorton

Have you ever watched Kitchen Nightmares by Gordon Ramsay? I’ve watched every episode since 2008 (excluding the recent season on Fox). I’m always curious about how business challenges are solved, and I have enjoyed how Gordon approaches each kitchen nightmare. Here are the common problems every restaurant faces that can apply to any business: 1) Lack of ownership from owner(s) Almost always, the owner(s) place the blame for poor performance on their employees. They’re more focused on finding ways to distance themselves from any accountability to protect their egos and rationalise how they’re, in fact, the victim in this nightmare. 2) Resistance to change As times change and customer behaviour evolves, the owner(s) become more obsessed with “how things used to be”, and this false sense of security leads to zero evolution in their menus, decor, uniform, and customer service, leading to an exodus of customers. 3) Lack of cost control There is no clear cost management system to ensure they buy the right ingredients at the right time. This is reflected when Gordon inspects the fridges where old and fresh ingredients are cross-contaminated, or there is too much stock (which is mainly frozen - Gordon hates frozen). 4) Outdated technology The employees work with outdated POS systems, and the kitchen mostly manages orders manually with an ineffective or non-existent ticketing system. This creates unnecessary errors caused by pressure and human error, negatively impacting serving customers. 5) Lack of pride Points 1 to 4 lead to depressed team morale, and it's difficult for anyone to feel proud about where they work. This means people stop trying to fix things, and everything spirals out of control. ——— Is there anything I missed? Ultimately, a poor-performing business will experience all of the five problems and addressing them as a priority leads to renewed energy and a hopeful start to a turnaround. #leadership #culture

This is going to be an unpopular opinion, and I absolutely do not mean to cast any shade on anyone at all, but one of the main reasons these businesses struggle isn’t the food, isn’t the cost, isn’t the controls, it’s the #REVENUE. Top line revenue. How do you drive top line revenue? Better product AND BETTER SERVICE. We need to remember, from the top down, that the businesses we run are first and foremost in the #SERVICE business. We are all in the #hospitality business (okay tech nerds, you have an argument but it’s a weak one). You want to know why some of these businesses close? They forgot it’s about serving people. Serve your team first. Your team will serve your guests. Your guests will come back. Your guests will tell others. Create a great human experience, provide a strong product, and don’t forget to manage expenses, and you’ll be just fine (Yes I hear your arguments about inflation and economy, all valid, all factors, but we can’t control that, we can control how we serve others) #unreasonablehospitality #business #growth #growthstrategy #businessgrowth #longlivelocal https://lnkd.in/gV8_5NHu

Thinking of starting a ghost kitchen? hosBefore you jump in, make sure you know the essentials. We’ve laid out the top 12 things to consider, from tech setups to choosing your delivery partners. Swipe up to learn more about setting yourself up for success!   #GhostKitchen #FoodInnovation #CulinaryTrends

Delighted to have Spike as a business customer. Their decision to choose MCC underlines their understanding of purposeful work, quality outcomes and doing good things (a nod to their first principle which is illuminated on their office wall). The Spike team always opts for beans. They grind them fresh in the office and usually enjoy as a filter coffee - beautiful! How does your business enjoy its coffee? #coffee #sustainability #specialitycoffee #business #leedsbusiness #malawiancoffee

Let's talk about the game-changer we often overlook in the business kitchen - cleanliness! 🧹☕ . . Imagine a cozy coffee shop ☕ with a buzzing atmosphere and a dash of chaos behind the scenes. . Sound familiar, right? . . Our protagonist, a small but spirited café, was grappling with the spills and mess, not realizing that cleaning up wasn't just for accidents—it was the secret sauce for a thriving business recipe! . . 🌱🚀 One fine day, the team decided to give their cozy nook a makeover. They scrubbed, polished, and decluttered, turning their little space into a haven of cleanliness. . . The result? . More customers lingered, positive reviews poured in, and guess what? . Even their coffee tasted better! ☕✨ . . Lesson learned? . Cleaning up shop isn't just for spills; it's the magical ingredient that transforms a humble café into a community hub. 🪄💬 . . So, dear entrepreneurs and coffee lovers alike, your business space isn't just a backdrop; it's an experience. . . Sprinkle some cleaning magic, and watch your cozy corner become the talk of the town! ✨💼 . . Drop a ☕ in the comments if you're ready to add a touch of magic to your business brew! . Let's clean up and thrive together. 🌐🚀 . T&S Cleaning Pros LLC #businessmagic #CleanUpThriveOn #CafeChronicles #cleaningsolutions #cleaningcompany #commercialcleaning #commercialcleaningservices #newjerseybusiness #officecleaning #postconstructioncleaning #warehousecleaning

Attention #ConwayAR restaurants - let's make 2024 your year of sustainable growth. My newest article outlines how to set and achieve goals across customer service, marketing, staffing. What key objectives will propel your concept forward? I share insider tips on tracking progress and pivoting amid challenges too. Ready to elevate offerings and become a neighborhood staple? Let's collaborate to turn your vision into reality in 2024 through dedicated planning. #2024Goals #RestaurantGrowth https://lnkd.in/gV3HyzdW

Unlock the power of our 10 year financial model and watch your confidence soar. Past participant Stuart Mackenzie, Founder of Little Juniper Distilling said this about the 10 year financial model: "It has given me great confidence to grow and our banker said this is a 'no brainer,' and you can see from this model exactly where the business is going and now I know what I am going to be doing for the next 10 years! This model has been pivotable for me." Congrats Stu on all you are achieving including moving out of the garage, lounge room, a bedroom and half of your dining room. Feeling ambitious? Book a Growth Chat: https://lnkd.in/gP2H-pCc #smallbusinesscoaching

Today I'll be a guest on David DeLorenzo's YouTube show "Connector & Protector" talking about why design matters when it comes to creating an intangible vibe in a hospitality space. Here's an interesting episode on Marketing for Restaurants covering "Click & Mortars". Bar and Restaurant Insurance House of Form #hospitalitydesign #restaurantdesign #interiordesign

Kind of a funny video, but it perfectly encapsulates my 2023 journey. Amidst the various lessons learned, the paramount takeaway was mastering not just the day-to-day operations but delving into the intricacies of managing my business. A significant focus was directed towards enhancing my financial acumen—learning to decipher and comprehend the numbers and, more importantly, strategizing the best course of action based on these insights. A pivotal realization emerged when labor costs were soaring, which prompted me to delve into kitchen operations for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Implementing necessary cuts and crafting new systems proved instrumental in optimizing our efficiency. This dive into kitchen operations also fostered a profound understanding of the chef's perspective, enabling the cultivation of chemistry and trust—critical components when introducing novel systems in the future. Reflecting on the year, it was undoubtedly a net positive in terms of valuable lessons and can’t wait to see what's in stores for 2024!