DC Partners’ Post

We’re now in the week to two weeks window of opening our first Dead Rabbit outside of New York City, and I wanted to use this opportunity to explain what instigated our growth, why we chose Austin, and some of the many amazing idiosyncrasies of our Austin store each day until we open to the public. As many of you know, The Dead Rabbit has changed markedly in the past few years with an approach of balancing the founding core of the company whilst evolving the outward manifestations of our said core. When we opened The Dead Rabbit, it was all about bringing the Irish Pub in America into the 21st century. When we opened, that initially manifested in our split-level concept and infusing the Irish Pub with great quality cocktails, a banging Irish Coffee, and a great Irish Whiskey selection. While this hasn't changed, we've broadened our aperture to doggedly focus on showcasing the very best of contemporary Irish culture, challenging the manifold misconceptions around our culture in America, and showing that an Irish Pub can be relevant, can be both hospitality and quality driven, and can be beautifully designed. In order to achieve these goals and our mission as a company, we simply had to grow as we wouldn't be able to successfully execute this with one bar in New York, or numerous Dead Rabbits in New York for that matter. I fully believe there should and can be a Dead Rabbit in most major cities in America, and who knows, further down the line, maybe some internationally, all complemented by the other concepts we've launched or are in the process of developing which celebrate different stories and serve different consumer sets. However, we don't want The Dead Rabbit to scale poorly by losing strategic discipline, operational rigor, or commodifying or chainifying The Dead Rabbit. In addition, each new Dead Rabbit must simultaneously execute our core key experience drivers whilst ensuring each Dead Rabbit is relevant to said market. That’s a delicate dance which I'll communicate how we intend to do over the coming week or so. So tune in if you're interested, or tune out if you're not! ❤️🇮🇪

This is one reason why I LOVE what I do. I remember the first time Joshua and I discussed the amazing concept he'd come up with for his new business venture; a best-in-class eatertainment concept that would expand upon the offerings of current competitors, and raise the bar to new/uncharted standards. It would be a new way to "ke'nekt" people, emphasizing social connectivity as being just as important, if not more so, than the games and activities it featured. This conversation occurred some time in the second half of 2020... just think about how that must have landed with me at the time. It was smart, well thought out, ambitious, and totally believable, but it was also a time of great uncertainty, especially for concepts emphasizing togetherness. But here we are. I'm not at all surprised that Your 3rd Spot™ Social Dining is now a highly-acclaimed and award winning business. There's a whole team of individuals who I know put their blood sweat and tears into this. That said, I'm incredibly excited for Josh and his team for this recognition. I'm also excited for the whole family and team at Selig Enterprises, Inc. for believing in the concept, moving mountains to help make it happen, and for everything they've done to make #TheWorksATL such an incredible place to spend time each and every day. #teamwork #creativity #execution

🤔 🤔 Title: Rethinking Loyalty: Beyond Transactions at Lib's Grill As we eagerly anticipate the opening of Lib's Grill of Sykesville and continue to grow our community at our existing locations, I've been reflecting deeply on what loyalty means in the hospitality industry. Both from the perspective of our business and from the invaluable viewpoint of our guests. Today, I want to open up a dialogue about loyalty — not as a series of transactions, but as a meaningful relationship built over time. At Lib's Grill, we see loyalty as a two-way street. It's not just about rewarding our guests for their repeated business; it's about recognizing and appreciating the trust they place in us with each visit. Loyalty, in our eyes, goes beyond the points, the discounts, and the rewards. It's about the smiles, the conversations, and the memories we create together. From Our Side: For us, loyalty means consistently delivering exceptional experiences that go beyond the plate. It's about creating an environment where guests feel genuinely cared for, valued, and understood. This commitment to excellence and personal connection is our way of saying "thank you" for choosing to spend your precious moments with us. From Our Guests' Perspective: We believe that for our guests, loyalty isn't just about the benefits they receive. It's about feeling a sense of belonging and community every time they walk through our doors. It's the comfort of a familiar face, the warmth of genuine service, and the assurance of quality that brings them back. The Conversation Starts Here: How do we ensure that loyalty feels personal and not transactional? How can we, as a community, redefine loyalty in a way that enriches our connections and experiences? I invite you, our valued guests and friends, to share your thoughts and stories. What does loyalty mean to you? How can we make our loyalty program more reflective of the genuine relationships we strive to build? Let's start a conversation that could reshape the way we think about loyalty in the hospitality industry. Your insights are not just valuable; they are essential to us as we strive to make Lib's Grill a place where everyone feels at home. Looking forward to your thoughts and stories. Cheers, Nick Liberatore Owner, Lib's Grill #LibsGrill #Hospitality #Loyalty #Community #CustomerExperience #GoodGroup

It looks as though late summer is going to hold off early autumn for a few weeks, which is great news for venues with outdoor space who can really take advantage before the colder weather closes in. However, now is the time to get your autumn and winter offering in order, whatever your set-up. We catch up with our good friend Sally McGill at Enomatic, the world leader in wine dispense and preservation. Sally explains how the wine serving system continues to help hospitality through a very tough time and why every venue, no matter the size and style would benefit enormously from one of their incredible systems. With Halloween now on the horizon you can now start to really plan your offering. It wouldn’t hurt to take a leaf out of central London venue The Mansion’s book. On October 28th, step into the enigmatic world of the Mansion, an architectural marvel, for an unforgettable Halloween soirée. This isn’t just another party; it’s an immersive journey into the realm of the senses. With new legislation requiring high-capacity venues to devise security measures to protect staff, customers and visitors in the event of a terror attack, Richard Winstanley at BFT Automation offers advice on how Hostile Vehicle Mitigation can play a role in a protective security strategy. Otherwise known as ‘Martyn’s Law’, the Protect Duty Act follows the campaign by Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who was among those who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. For readers who may not be familiar with the legislation, the new law has yet to come into force but it will require high-capacity venues such as nightclubs, arenas and theatres to devise and provide specific security plans in case of a terror attack. Spice up the night with Chilli and Tequila! The trend for Jalapeno Peppers and Chilli has never been greater in the UK and the perfect partner for these firecracker ingredients is, of course, tequila. Rooster Rojo Tequila is the choice of many top bartenders globally, so stock up for Chilli Month in October to provide some extra interest in the bar before the festive season arrives. Cheers to a great autumn season. Rob Taylor

Prior to launching Saint + Social, I spent 6 years in a relationship-centric career. Yet, amidst the flurry of coffee meetings, business card exchanges, and elevator pitches, I realized I was meeting countless faces but rarely building real connections. This prompted a deeper reflection: What if our professional interactions were more than just surface-level exchanges? And voila, Saint + Social was born for those looking for a way to form substantive relationships and facilitate meaningful conversation around the dining table. #dinnerpartyplanner #chicagoevents #dinnerparty #eventdesign #entertainingideas #businessdevelopment #uniqueevents

Thinking of buying a home in San Jose? Want to learn more about the city and all the exciting events and other great things to do? Message me for a guide to San Jose that outlines some of the most popular restaurants, events, and places to go!

🥂 Another 'first' ticked off last night - The Casual Dining Awards! 🎉 A huge thank you firstly to the The Restaurant Group for inviting us & being such great company! A massive congratulations to all the winners - we love to see some of our beloved Yumpingo Customers getting that well deserved recognition ❤️ Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded of the importance of checking in on my own career aspirations and accomplishments. With over 15 years in Client Services, and 6 of those dedicated to hospitality technology, anyone that has worked with me will know that I forge strong client relationships based on my commitment to deliver (yes tooting my own horn a little here for a moment), my dedication to drive results with transparency, whilst sharing my knowledge and guidance. Perception & reputation has always been incredibly important to me and that means working hard & being the best I can be in my role. Admittedly, I've previously bypassed events, citing time constraints—an oversight I now recognise. Over the last year or so, I've had the opportunity to 'get out there' more and that's allowed me to become so much more rounded as a professional - Some of the most meaningful conversations happen over a glass or two of vino! Walking into industry gatherings now, I'm greeted by familiar faces, we pick up on our last conversations, check in on life - genuine connections beyond business matters. In summary, while delivering results remains, to me, the foundation of a building a strong personal brand, investing time in forging connections outside 'office hours' is equally essential. It's it's an empty shell of a house if you don't dedicate the time to share life experiences, celebrating success, and forget about the day to day stresses together! 🙌 Note to future self though - Take more photos! 😅

Reposting for contacts in my network - get in touch with Christian & find out how he and Tenzo - Restaurant PerformanceOps can help you and your business

A good comeback story reminds us that it's never too late... or too hard. or impossible. The story of Garrett Harker and Eastern Standard is more than a story about a guy and a restaurant. It's really a message about purpose, perseverance, and redemption. In college, I was a hostess at ES and witnessed the shift from ES being a new restaurant to becoming a destination that had it's own, unique soul. It was vibrant and really special. How did Harker do it? I am no restaurateur, but here are some of my reflections: ▪ Make ALL of your customers feel special: If you were a true VIP, a construction worker just wrapping up your shift, or a family heading to a Sox game, you received the same attention and excellent service. Everyone was on the A list. No exceptions. ▪ Invest in your team and always be learning: See article for details on the "Standard Education" ... kudos! ▪ Be excellent without being arrogant: This one is pretty straight forward. ▪ It's important to be thoughtful- about everything: From the moment your customer walks in, each interaction will influence the overall experience they have...so how can you make it a great one? I'm excited to see what is to come and loved reading this story. Your comeback story might look a little different than opening 4 new restaurants, but whatever it may be, the message of inspiration remains.

What happens when channels collide? It feels like online and retail are constantly battling for resources, orders, and people. In reality, the retail channel has started to grow up and become so much more. -Real-time online inventory? Check. -Returns hub? Check. -Micro- fulfillment location for other channels? Check. In that complex environment, how do you manage those competing priorities? The bright supply chain minds at Pivotree and the automation experts at GreyOrange are excited to chat with the best and brightest CIOs and industry leaders in retail and learn more about the challenges they face.