Brandon Batt

We hear you - One of the biggest challenges operators face in 2024 is hiring and retaining employees at every level. Our eBook "How to build and retain restaurant staff" is a great place to start when looking to revamp your hiring and retention strategy. Dig into this FREE download at: #EmployeeRetention #BuildYourStaff #BuildYourATeam #RestaurantStaff #SuccessfulTeam

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Unlocking the Future of QSR Guest Experiences: Delve into the Impact of Technology 🚀 In the fast-paced world of QSR, speed, convenience, and quality reign supreme. But what truly drives customer satisfaction beyond just good food? Our latest blog explores the tech-driven revolution shaping guest experiences. Discover why over 60% of diners believe technology enhances restaurant convenience and how it influences return visits, especially among the under-45 demographic.📱 Based on insights from our survey on Consumer Perceptions of Restaurant Tech, we analyze what factors truly matter to QSR patrons and how technology is reshaping their choices. Ready to uncover the game-changing insights? Let's explore together! #QSR #GuestExperience #TechImpact

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John Hamburger, President of Restaurant Finance Monitor, recently summarized key characteristics of successful multi-unit franchise restaurant groups that he has seen time and again make a difference: - A bias towards growth. - High-quality financial reporting. - Leverage is manageable. - Successful operators keep a level head during different economic cycles. I want to dissect 2, 3, and 4 because this is where we see the biggest shortfall in smaller restaurant groups.    High-quality financial reporting means that your management and executive team have access to an accurate, consistent, and timely:  - Weekly balance sheet - Weekly cash flow report - Weekly or biweekly prime cost (COGS and labor) as a % of sales - Weekly Accounts Payable Aging or Unpaid Bills report - Period-end (monthly or 4-week period) P&L, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows We want to reiterate the importance of the balance sheet. A P&L means nothing unless every account on your balance sheet is reconciled. Traditional bookkeepers or non-CPA/trained accountants can fall short here, producing inaccurate results that drive misleading decisions. If you need help with this, please don't hesitate to DM The Fork CPAs.   Managing leverage is just as important, especially when interest rates are high and everyone is focused on EBITDA. Store-level EBITDA is a vital KPI for growth, but depreciation and interest are real expenses that must be considered when assessing profitability. Too much debt is one of the primary reasons multi-unit groups fail. Generally, an EBITDA coverage ratio of over 10 is considered good ($10 of EBITDA for every dollar paid in interest). Unfortunately, more than a third of publicly traded restaurants in the US have a ratio lower than 10; the median is around 4.5.    Successful operators keep a level head during different economic cycles. This means they always keep the appropriate amount of working capital on hand. The appropriate amount of working capital is measured by dividing your total current assets (cash, inventory, and prepaid expenses) by your total current liabilities (accounts payable, credit cards, tips payable, sales tax payable, etc.). The ratio of current assets to current liabilities should be at least 1:1 for your restaurant to operate smoothly. You can determine your restaurant's working capital requirements by reading the article below. #restaurantfinance #restaurantaccounting #restaurantcfo #restaurantcontroller #hospitality #restaurants #accounting #finance #cpatips #hospitalityaccounting #workingcapital #financialanalysis https://lnkd.in/emDXFJPB

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GM PILOT focuses on a vital restaurant metric, profit margin. Our service is saving clients up to 5% which can be the difference between making money and not making money. #restaurantfinance #restaurantprofitability #restaurantlabor

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Few QSR brands, let alone ones with nearly 900 locations open 24/7, 364 days a year, can serve burgers that are made-to-order when ordered, using 100% pure, never-frozen beef in each store, every day.    But Whataburger is no average QSR brand. Founded with a goal to serve burgers so big they need two hands to hold and so good that after one bite, customers say, “What a burger!” the San Antonio-based chain plans to grow beyond 1,000 stores by 2026. In order to keep pace to achieve its growth goals, Whataburger needed to scale operations across all 800+ restaurants. Whataburger's Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations joined Crunchtime’s Ops Summit 2023 to share the impact that Crunchtime's Operations Execution Platform (Zenput) has had on Whataburger: https://lnkd.in/evEZYS6u

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In a recent QSR Magazine article, restaurant franchisees discuss the economic challenges they face in 2024, including rising costs, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behavior. To address these challenges, franchisees are implementing various strategies to cut costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service. Some franchisees are reducing their operating hours or using automation to reduce labor costs. Others are raising menu prices to offset rising food and supply costs, or focusing on employee training and benefits to improve customer service and attract and retain talent. 💡 Download our white paper to learn more about how restaurant franchisees are adapting to this year's economic realities: https://avydn.co/3XuLItW

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Webinar Alert: Reclaim Control Over Your Restaurant’s Margins On October 1st at 10am PST, join leaders from Sweetfin, Bubbakoos Burritos, and &pizza for a live roundtable discussion on how 3rd-party delivery and advertising are affecting your bottom line — and what you can do about it. What you’ll learn ⤵ - How 3rd-party platform costs, including advertising fees, affect margins - Strategies to balance 3PD and first-party growth - Real-world insight from restaurant leaders 📝 Register now: https://lnkd.in/dAspBBuF Seth Cohen Chris Ives, CFE Patrick Barry Aaron Newton

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Employee Engagement: moving beyond boring  Are your employees truly engaged or just going through the motions? 🤔 Recent success story from a 225 location restaurant franchise proves that consistent, engaging, and interactive training could be a game-changer. By implementing a unique learning management system, they not only saw a 15% boost in employee engagement but also reduced training costs 📈💰 - all while ensuring consistency across their multiple franchises. This raises important questions: Is your employee engagement strategy interactive enough? Does it promote real-time communication and feedback?🗣️ Let Communic8 help unravel your lingering doubts and guide you in optimising your engagement strategy. Don't hesitate to reach out for insider tips and insights. 🤗 #HR #EmployeeEngagement #Communic8

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Do you feel like your team is missing the mark on the basics?   Join us as we explore the foundational elements of hospitality with Jason E. Brooks, founder of HospiVation. Learn about the critical importance of maintaining core practices and building a family culture within your team. Perfect for those seeking to refine their restaurant's operations and foster a stronger, more connected team. Jason E. Brooks    Tune in and rediscover the basics that make your restaurant not just a business, but a community. Transforming Restaurant Managers Into Hospitality Leaders with Jason E. Brooks.

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Foodservice News 🗞 Nation's Restaurant News just released an article discussing how fast-casual restaurants are winning the value perception battle, which has been crucial in attracting customers amid economic uncertainties. A few highlights: - With rising food prices and inflation affecting consumer behavior, many diners are prioritizing value-for-money options when choosing where to eat. - Fast-casual brands like Chipotle and Sweetgreen have been able to maintain a perception of quality while providing affordability, which has helped them sustain customer loyalty. Additionally, the ability to innovate with limited-time offers and menu adjustments helps them stay relevant and appealing. - Price-conscious consumers appreciate the transparency in pricing and quality that many fast-casual restaurants provide. This has been particularly effective in retaining traffic compared to other dining segments like full-service restaurants. #foodservice #fastcasual #restaurants #consumerbehavior

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A leading quick-service restaurant franchisee celebrated a remarkable 25-year milestone. Their secret ingredient? A thriving company culture. With POWERS’ help, they’re scaling it across hundreds of their Midwest locations, driving performance, profits, and customer satisfaction. 🚀 Key Outcomes - Attract and retain top talent by creating an engaging and rewarding work environment. 💪 - Equip leaders with the tools and knowledge to drive success, fostering a work environment of innovation and excellence. - Define clear career paths for employees, providing opportunities for growth and development. 🏆 - Create an exceptional employee experience that fuels productivity, loyalty, and customer satisfaction. 🎉 Want to learn how they achieved these results? Check out our latest case study: https://lnkd.in/egCJVwtC #workplaceculture #frontlineleadership #processoptimization #skillsgap #operations #POWERS #DigitalProductionSystem

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The foodservice industry is constantly evolving, and with that comes the challenge of balancing technology and hospitality. In a recent Foodservice Director article, industry leaders discuss how these two forces are not at odds but can actually complement each other when implemented thoughtfully. Jonathan Duffy, Vice President of Technology and Innovation, highlights how tech can streamline operations, but the key to success lies in using technology to enhance the human touch—not replace it. By blending automation with personal service, organizations can create a seamless and satisfying guest experience. https://lnkd.in/eE8NHju5

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Getting employees started is easy. Getting them invested? That’s the real opportunity for avoiding early turnover. In her latest article for CHART - Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers Wisetail's Evan Melick shares how onboarding can do more than just prepare new hires. She explores why those early weeks are crucial for building commitment and role ownership, and what organizations can do to make onboarding a launchpad for long-term retention. From creating clear development paths to fostering collaboration and managing stress, get actionable insights to help you turn new hires into future leaders. 🔗 Read the article: https://bit.ly/3DieG9W #Onboarding #EmployeeDevelopment #LeadershipPipeline #HR #Retention

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Pizza professionals, restaurant owners & operators: Struggling with labor shortages, rising costs, or a menu that needs a refresh? The Pizza Leadership Virtual Summit is here to help! 🍕 Join us on July 31st at 11 AM ET for a FREE half-day livestream packed with actionable insights from industry leaders like CEC Entertainment and Mattenga's Pizzeria. Learn their secrets to success and take your pizza operation to the next level! View agenda https://lnkd.in/eKZcYGVY #PizzaLeadership #pizza #restaurants

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