Potato Perks App - banner - both - 05.22

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets banner - both - 05.18

Tyson Cortona Pepperoni - skyscraper OE 1.23

Nestle Stouffers Can Your Classics Do This Recipe Ideas - banner - both - 01.20

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - banner - both - 02.18

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - banner - both - 04.18

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - skyscraper - both - 03.23

A Family of Fine Cheeses - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Nestle Stouffers White Cheddar Mac and Cheese - skyscraper - both - 08.18

Banner Ad - 4 - PICs - Operator - supersized

General Mills - Pillsbury Takeout and Delivery Tips - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Deliver Flavor and Value with Galbani Mozzarella - skyscraper - both - 07.22

McCain - Maintain Your Restaurant's Unique Identity - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Essity - Impress Your Guests - banner - OE - 03.17

Wave of Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 05.22

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Cook - Operator

Dan's Prize Pulled Meats Simplify the Kitchen - banner - both - 04.20

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Great Bacon in Half the Time - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Tyson - Bonici - Crave Chorizo - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - banner - both - 07.18

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - banner - both - 11.20

McCain - Feed and Comfort Your Community with Family Sized Favorites - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Reel in Greater Appeal - both - banner - 10.22

Sugar Foods Barista Blend - skyscraper - both - 04.17

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing and Spread - banner - OE - 10.22

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Menu Ideas - banner - both - 05.20

America's Original Seafood Family - skyscraper - both - 02.24

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing & Spread - skyscraper - OE - 10.22

Seafood is Better - skyscraper - both - 05.21

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner - both - 04.23

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - skyscraper - both - 01.20

TNT Burgers - Learn More - banner - both - 03.23

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - banner - both - 11.19

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - banner - both - 11.22

Simplot Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - banner - both - 08.20

Tyson - Jimmy Dean - Loaded with Flavor - banner - both - 04.21

Simplot GoodGrains - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Hormel - Bacon 1 - You've Never Seen Bacon Like This - banner - both - 02.20

Banner Ad - 1 - MM - Recipes - Operator - supersized

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner with chef - both - 04.23

McCain - Tactical Takeout Webinar - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - banner - both - 02.23

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Find Fresh Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Banner Ad - 3 - OE - Operator - supersized

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Your Partner for Flavor - banner - both - 01.23

McCain - Rebuilding Your Biz - Episode 1 - Hack Your Way Back - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets skyscraper - both - 05.18

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - skyscraper - both - 05.18

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Full Case of Bacon No Grease - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - skyscraper - both - 11.22

McCain - We're Here to Help - Learn More - banner - both - 05.20

America's Original Seafood Family - banner - 02.24

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Culinary Canvas - skyscraper - OE - 09.30 - 12.29.24

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - banner - both - 04.18

Simplot - Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

Roland Foods - Purveyors of Fine Ingredients - banner - both - 08.22

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Hormel - Fontanini - Welcome to Our Family Tradition - banner - both - 02.20

Chef-mate - Save Time without Sacrificing Quality - banner - both - 06.23

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Family Recipes - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Don't Labor Over Great Chicken - banner - both - 02.20

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - skyscraper - both - 02.18

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - banner - both - 04.20

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - both - skyscraper - 04.20

Empress 5-Compartment School Food Tray - 05.22

Your Source for Wild Alaskan Seafood - Surimi - banner - both - 10.24

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - skyscraper - both - 07.17

Bold Flavors that Create Big Demand - banner - both - 12.01 - 12.31.24

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - banner - both - 04.19

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - banner - both - 03.23

Maui Refreshers - both - 06.13 - 12.31.24

Dan's Prize Corned Beef Pastrami - Simple, Tender - banner - both - 04.20

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Bulk and Single-Serve Packets - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Simplot Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - banner - both - 08.20

Jennie-O Take Burgers Over the Top with Turkey - skyscraper - both - 03.20

Skyscraper Ad - MM -  Beat - Operator

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Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - banner - both - 07.21

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Discover Where Bold Flavor Can Take You - skyscraper - both - 12.01 - 12.31.24

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Reel in Greater Appeal - skyscraper - both - 10.22

La Ranchera Birria Base - both - 09.24

TNT Burgers - Learn More - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Wave of Inspiration - banner - both - 05.22

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Tater Tumblers Unseasoned Mix Free Sample - banner - both - 10.11 - 12.31.24

Check Out the Major Products Product Guide - skyscraper - OE - 03.22

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - banner - both - 09.24

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - banner - both - 01.20

Catering is becoming a major off-premise revenue driver for many restaurants. This is especially true for restaurants that successfully build menus to attract sizable orders from workplaces. Workplace catering is not only lucrative, but it can provide an ongoing revenue stream during periods when restaurants are traditionally less busy&mdash;the 9-to-5 work week.
The numbers don&rsquo;t lie: Catering is on the rise with the average ezCater order over $400, and 39 percent of corporate clients ordering weekly in 2024 (a 22 percent increase from the previous year). Plus, nearly half of these orders serve groups of 20 or more.
With 53 percent of business orderers planning to increase their workplace food spend, it&rsquo;s worth crafting a standout menu that meets the needs of workplaces. To help curate the optimal catering menu that will satisfy diverse palates and significantly boost the bottom line, start with these tips.
Create Customized Catering Packages 
Corporate orderers love customizable catering packages like build-your-own bars, bundles, and buffets with options for sides and desserts. It allows them to pick and choose a mix of items to appeal to their diverse workforce. On the restaurant side, it allows for pairing premium items with lower-cost sides to optimize profit margins while still providing affordable signature dishes.
Offer Grab-and-Go Convenience Items and Boxed Lunches 
Boxed lunches represented 30% of ezCater orders in 2023. Simple and convenient individually-packaged catering is a staple of worksite dining and having those selections available on the menu can help expand a restaurant&rsquo;s customer base.
Individual meal options could include things like sandwiches, salads, or bowls, along with all the necessary condiments and utensils for added convenience.
Include and Promote Dietary-Friendly Items 
Companies are being more mindful about accommodating diverse dietary needs, from vegan and vegetarian to gluten-free. In fact, restaurants on the ezCater platform that include items that accommodate dietary restrictions see an 8% increase in average order size.
When restaurants don&rsquo;t cater to different dietary needs, it could result in missing out on a catering order entirely. On the other hand, including dietary-friendly options and making them easy to identify in the menu, could help elevate a restaurant to become a client&rsquo;s caterer of choice. Take Potbelly, for example. Since adding vegetarian and vegan options to its menu in late 2023, those options have been ordered thousands of times.
Expand to Breakfast, Beverages, and Desserts
Rounding out a catering menu with options for day parts beyond lunch is another way to increase revenue and become a one-stop caterer for business customers. Why not start with breakfast? Considering that breakfast is the #1 searched cuisine type and the #1 searched term on ezCater.com, it&rsquo;s a growing segment worth exploring.
The Texas-based barbecue restaurant, McKenzie&rsquo;s Barbeque &amp; Burgers, decided to do just that, and the cooks were already working early hours because of the &ldquo;low and slow&rdquo; cooking methods required for their signature meats. McKenzie&rsquo;s adjusted its opening hours on ezCater to accommodate earlier meal times, and it has since seen an uptake in orders.
Other upselling opportunities can come from prominently displaying a selection of desserts and popular beverages on ordering pages. Think cookie and brownie trays, bottled water, assorted sodas, gallon iced teas, and breakfast drinks like boxed coffee and orange juice. These sweet treats and drinks can complement meals and help boost average order value. In fact, one in three ezCater orders include beverages and one in five include desserts.
Add Visuals to Make Your Menu Mouth-Watering 
Photos can influence customers more than descriptions and reviews, which is why savvy restaurants are putting their best food photos forward. Share images of best-sellers, high-margin items, and dishes aimed at those with specific dietary needs. Just be sure to keep menu photos realistic to what customers will receive.
Sharing photos of its DIY taco spreads on its menu pages has been integral in helping bartaco&rsquo;s catering sales grow rapidly.
Stick with Standardization 
For restaurants with multiple locations, maintaining a standardized catering menu can ensure consistency while also simplifying the management of menu modifications for when new or seasonal items must be added.
For customers, particularly those who travel, being able to expect the same quality and choices no matter where they are enhances their overall customer experience with a brand.
This standardization also provides valuable data to gauge how various menu items perform and ensures that top-selling items are featured on all menus.
Commit to a Profit-Driving Catering Menu
Success in catering goes beyond simply tweaking a take-out menu. A strategic approach that incorporates customizable packages, individual options, and dietary diversity is critical. Coupled with visually appealing menus featuring professional photography, these tactics not only meet the current market demand, but can help set a restaurant apart as the go-to choice for corporate catering.
Source: Michelle Smart, <a href="https://www.fsrmagazine.com/feature/8-proven-tips-for-optimizing-your-restaurants-catering-menu/" target="_blank">FSR</a>

The sales channel is playing an increasingly critical role in restaurant growth.

8 Proven Tips for Optimizing Your Restaurant’s Catering Menu

The holiday season is full of opportunities for family, friends and co-workers to celebrate, but a celebration can quickly turn to tragedy when someone has overindulged in alcohol beverages. That tragedy can quickly extend to your business if that overconsumption can be traced back to your establishment. You and your staff can help prevent over-service and reduce the risks associated with serving alcohol. Here are some basic tips to help you serve alcohol safely. Get trained. Programs like <a href="https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Alcohol" target="_blank">ServSafe Alcohol</a>&reg; prepare managers and all service staff members including bartenders, servers, bussers, bouncers, hosts and valets to safely and effectively handle difficult real-world situations that will protect your guests and your operation. Flexible online and on-site training is available in English and Spanish and is state-specific to meet regulatory requirements. Check IDs. Check the identification of anyone who looks younger than 35. Refuse service to anyone who can&rsquo;t provide a valid form of ID. Learn how to verify ID:
<ul>
<li>by type</li>
<li>for valid expiration date</li>
<li>for signs of modification or alteration</li>
<li>for valid birthdate</li>
<li>by matching physical traits</li>
</ul>
Know how to predict intoxication. Learn how to estimate a guest&rsquo;s BAC (blood alcohol content), and, based on an estimation of a guest&rsquo;s weight, how many standard drinks of wine, beer or liquor will cause a guest&rsquo;s BAC to rise above 0.08%, the legal limit of intoxication in most states. Measure and count drinks. Understand strategies for measuring and pouring drinks carefully, counting how many drinks a guest has had, and knowing how much alcohol is in each type of drink. Enforce a one-drink rule. Allow your guests only one alcohol beverage at a time. Discourage drinking games, competitive drinking or rapid drinking. Pace your service. Since most people are able to metabolize only one drink per hour at most, try to pace beverage service so guests don&rsquo;t imbibe any faster than that. Keep your guests hydrated. Alcohol dehydrates the body. Provide a glass of water with each drink, and offer soft drinks, juice, and coffee as alternatives to beverage alcohol. Non-alcohol drinks, including cocktails, wine and beer, also are big business these days. Consider including non-alcohol versions of each on your drinks menu. Know how to spot signs of intoxication. Every staff member on the front lines should actively look for signs of inebriation from the moment guests arrive (they may have been drinking somewhere else beforehand). Maintain this awareness throughout their stay. Your care and concern will not only ensure your guests get great service and have a good time, but will help to keep them safe, too. Look for behavioral clues that suggest a guest has been overserved:
<ul>
<li>Relaxed inhibitions&mdash;loud conversation, laughter and rude comments, and being overly friendly, for example.</li>
<li>Impaired judgment&mdash;switching to stronger drinks or complaining about drink strength, drinking more rapidly, and making irrational or aggressive statements.</li>
<li>Slowed reaction time&mdash;moving or talking more slowly, losing a train of thought, apparent drowsiness all suggest impairment.</li>
<li>Diminished motor coordination. Staggering, swaying, stumbling, slurring and spilling are classic signs of impairment. Take their darts away (please!) and stop service.</li>
</ul>
Offer the right kinds of food. How much and what kinds of food a guest eats an affect their BAC. High-fat and high-protein foods are better choices for preventing intoxication, while foods high in carbohydrates and salt are likely to increase a guest&rsquo;s chances of becoming intoxicated. Identify designated drivers. Find out if the party you&rsquo;re serving has a designated driver. If so, you may even wish to offer non-alcohol beverages to that individual free of charge. Offer transportation when necessary. Provide alternate transportation for impaired guests, either through a shared ride service or by enlisting the help of sober friends. Use our resources. The Association offers a host of resources on how to serve alcohol safely and diffuse difficult situations. Check out&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.servsafeservitup.com/resource-center/" target="_blank">ServItUp library</a> of resources. Holiday celebrations should be as safe as they are joyful. You can help make that happen by knowing how to serve alcohol safely.
Download the&nbsp;<a title="Toolbox_NRA_Understanding_How_Alcohol_Affects_the_Body_ebook" href="https://greatmenusstarthere.com/uploads/files/Toolbox_NRA_Understanding_How_Alcohol_Affects_the_Body_ebook.pdf" target="_blank">ebook</a> here.
Source: National Restaurant Association

Help your guests celebrate the holiday season safely with these ServSafe ServItUp alcohol service tips.

Serve Alcohol Safely during the Holiday Season

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8 Proven Tips for Optimizing Your Restaurant’s Catering Menu

Serve Alcohol Safely during the Holiday Season