Defining Loyalty (reprint from 1995) - Dino Cortopassi describes the difference between “loyal customers” and “disloyal price-shoppers” and why smart Independent restaurateurs compete vs. the chains by focusing on superior food quality, not price. Read More

Grabbing a Burger With My Boys - Tom Cortopassi explains why businesses who focus on doing a few things very well often outperform those trying to be all things to all people. Read More

The Importance of Visioning (reprint from 1992) - Dino Cortopassi says that the key to making your dreams a reality is identifying where you want to be, and then working backwards to remove obstacles in your way. Read More

1)Research the top ingredient brands. Don’t just listen to sales reps. Also ask Independent restaurateurs, whose food quality you admire, which ingredient packers are known for superior consistency and quality.

2)Trust your taste buds. Always insist on conducting side-by-side tastings between top ingredient brands to identify which actually tastes best.

3)Carefully monitor consistency. When you begin using your chosen ingredients, pay close attention to their day-to-day consistency so later you’ll recognize any quality variation if it ever occurs.

1)Do they carry the exact superior ingredient brands you require to make your food the best it can be?

2)What is their reputation among other quality-oriented Independent restaurateurs?
•Do they reliably deliver the exact brands ordered (without "unauthorized substitutions")?
•Does their pricing remain fair over time or do they play "price games".
•Do they seem motivated by what’s best for their customer (or only their bottom line)?

3)Loyalty is a two way street. When you find a reliable, trustworthy supplier, reward them with your purchase loyalty. On the other hand, if a Distributor isn't loyal to you, move your business to one who will be.

Taste test establishes target flavor – How blind, side-by-side tastings can help you identify the “right” amount of added flavors or toppings. (Ahles, Aug 93) Read More

Increasing flavor consistency – How heating red sauces in smaller, more frequent batches increases flavor consistency and preserves more fresh tomato flavor. (Anon, Aug 05) Read More

Success Story: Nunzio Ristorante – To ensure consistently superior flavor, this restaurateur personally tastes each primary ingredient daily. (Patruno, Feb 05) Read More

How to properly cost ingredients – Why you should look at food costs like your customers do, by-the-serving, not by-the-case. (Mikrut, Aug 94) Read More

Slow Night Fundraisers - (Multiple ideas, Nov 09) When your food quality is truly outstanding, it is best to attract new quality oriented repeat customers by finding a non price reason for them to try it for the first time. The reason discounting rarely works is that 1) it attracts disloyal price shoppers and 2) it subtly tells prospective customers that your food must be worth less than you normally charge. Instead, since Slow Night Fundraisers attract neighborhood families who are happy to pay full price to help you support their favorite cause, this seems to be the single most powerful promotion Independents have to attract and keep new quality oriented customers! Read More

Boost fundraisers by 50% - School night fundraisers get dozens of local families to try your place at full price and feel great in the process! Here’s how one Independent got 50% more area families to participate. (Jones, Feb 07) Read More

Establish tasteful first impression - Create positive word of mouth by surprising "influencers" at their work with a free taste of your most flavorful offerings. (Nicolosi, Feb 05) Read More

Spreading your own word of mouth - Attract first time visitors by handing out business cards while you run your daily errands around the neighborhood. (Parisi, Jun 95) Read More

Get regulars to bring friends - Offer to buy appetizers to encourage regulars to bring newcomers. (Nawrocki, Jun 95) Read More

Customer reviews increase ad credibility - Make simple newspaper ads more compelling by featuring new customer comments weekly. (Ventura, Dec 96) Read More

Success Story: Frugatti's - How to use you menu to reinforce your family’s passion for great food. (Fruguglietti, Sep 06) Read More

Success Story: Trattoria Dinotto - How a Chicago trattoria wows customers with fast, attentive service. (Lubbat, May 94) Read More

Service that Sells - Servers who enticingly describe how dishes are prepared can better please customers and earn bigger tips. (May 94) Read More

W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G. - This pizzeria avoids disappointing customers with incorrect take-out orders by showing them what’s inside each box before they leave the restaurant. (Caritoni, Jul 06) Read More