Amy Valentine’s Post

It was great to see the hospitality industry coming together at Machine Hall for the inaugural Good Food Symposium. Guests heard from Callan Boys Alessandro Pavoni Huss Rachin, Palisa Anderson Rebecca Fanning and Patrick Ryan-Parker sharing their ideas and expertise on how to juggle the complexities of the current economic situation, staffing, pricing, social media and communication. As a newcomer into hospitality (Machine Hall Cafe) there were so many takeaways (pardon the pun 😩): Value creation is more about experience than price with familiar and more personal service driving loyalty - no more 'good evening Madam' A strong team culture can keep highly transient staff engaged. Giving them a shared vision of the future provides them with an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Staff are an extension of your brand so time invested in them is always time well spent. Google reviews are vital - so ask happy customers to post or only negatives prevail. Answer all negative reviews personally as this will enable brand messaging.  Businesses need to be multi platform business, comms are crucial and EDM’s sitting in the shadow of socials are the key to drive immediate sales.  Cheers! Nine #hospitality

Make a Decision Already! Why Endless Meetings Won’t Save Your F&B Concept Here’s a hot take: If I have to sit through one more meeting about the next meeting where we’ll finally discuss making a decision, I might just swap my coffee for something stronger. In the F&B world, success isn’t born from endless debates or playing it safe – it’s about having the guts to make bold decisions and stand by them. Whether it’s revamping a menu, rethinking service flow, or rebranding entirely, great concepts don’t wait for the 47th meeting to take shape. You need to act, adjust, and own your vision. It’s time to cut through the noise, take a stance, and move forward with confidence. So, stop overthinking it. Sometimes, the best decision is just making a decision. Your business (and your sanity) will thank you.

📅 Save the Date! Join Olo and Restaurant Business for an exclusive webinar on July 31st at 2:00 PM ET! Discover "3 Growth Strategies To Help Emerging Brands Thrive" from experts who have achieved remarkable success in the industry. 💡 Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and gain valuable insights! Mark your calendars and get ready to take your emerging brand to new heights! Stay tuned for more details and registration information. See you on July 31st! 🚀 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eUZN6znX #restaurantbusiness #webinar #emergingbrands #growthstrategies #SaveTheDate

As I prepare to head to Prosper 2024 and speak in the conference next week, I’m reminded of the near constant pressures the restaurant and hospitality industries are under today. The confused consumer is impacting traffic more than we’ve seen since the industry rebounded over the past few years.    The latest data is clear: 6 in 10 operators feel a pressing need to evolve their business models, and 7 in 10 have experienced significant disruption in the past 1-2 years.   With these challenges in mind, I’ll be joining Derrick Yarbrough to discuss actionable strategies to turn disruption into opportunity, and we’ll be joined for a conversation on these topics by Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch Restaurants. We’ll cover everything from the growing concern from consumers and how this impacts product strategy, pricing and need for value all the way over to effectively engaging the workforce for the future of the industry.   I’m looking forward to sharing our insights from all of the research we did leading up to this event including the 2024 versions of our Prosper Operator Survey, Consumer Pulse Survey and Restaurant Employee Survey. Learn more here (https://lnkd.in/gsSYxXam) & I hope to see you at the Prosper Forum! Look for Derrick Yarbrough, Adam Werner, Andrew Sharpee or I to connect and catch up!

A one-size-fits-all approach won't cut it in the hospitality world. Instead, hone in on specific target markets. Scot Turner shares invaluable insights on tailoring your marketing strategy to each unique area of your business. Whether it's restaurants, bars, or conference spaces, Scot breaks down the importance of personalized messaging for maximum impact. Don't miss out on this expert advice! Listen to the full episode for strategies that'll level up your F&B outlets and enhance your business's reach. #HospitalityMarketing #TailoredStrategies #LocalMarketing

Today’s TED Conferences Talk by Will Guidara is all about his recipe for “Unreasonable #Hospitality” and why it is so, so important. Guidara, a restaurateur, starts with his “why”—to make people feel seen, feel welcome, and give them a sense of belonging. His challenge is to be unreasonable in his team’s pursuit of human connection and lifelong memories. The food service and design are just ingredients. And to take that next step and create those lifelong memories, you need three things: 1.     To be present 2.     To take what you do seriously without taking yourself too seriously 3.     To understand that one-size-fits-one Making good products and serving them efficiently isn’t enough anymore—it’s how we make people feel that matters the most. And so much of this talk also applies to the sports and entertainment industry—thew wins and losses don’t matter as much as the memories and human connection. I’ll post the episode link in the comments. Try being a little more unreasonable, prioritize hospitality, and see if you can make something even more meaningful out of what you do. #linkedinsports

Awards for top bars, best campaign, best brand, best marketer, best bartender... I'm not a fan of the "everyone should get a prize" mentality, but let's have an honest conversation about success in the drinks industry. Not everyone is made for prizes - and that's perfectly fine. Some of the most successful people I've met in 20 years across 30+ markets aren't on any "top" lists. They're: • Professionals who chose depth over visibility • Brand managers who consistently deliver results • Career bartenders who masterfully run their shifts • Brand owners building sustainable family businesses Success isn't always about winning awards or selling to a major corporation. Sometimes, it's about: • Building something sustainable • Mastering your craft • Creating real value • Enjoying the journey • Defining success on your terms The younger generation, growing up with social media's constant pressure and vanity metrics, needs to hear this: it's okay to choose your path. https://lnkd.in/e5_QaQzf Thoughts?

🏆 Ever wondered why you often see "award-winning" in people's and businesses' advertising? It's because these accolades build trust, enhance credibility, and attract attention. Awards highlight excellence and differentiate them from competitors, making you more likely to choose their products or services. Whether it's a top restaurant, a leading tech company, or an exceptional artist, those awards signal quality and reliability. Next time you see "award-winning," remember it's more than a title—it's a mark of distinction and commitment to excellence! 🌟 #AwardWinning #Trust #Quality #BusinessExcellence

✨ Looking to create an experience your team, clients, and partners will remember for years? The Whisky Experience is excited to introduce our Private Tastings— guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. ✨ Each tasting experience is tailored to suit your guests, chosen theme, and budget. It’s the perfect way to elevate an end-of-year celebration into something truly unforgettable! 🌟 To learn more or book an event (big or small), find the link in the comments or reach out via direct message. Let’s raise a glass and make it an occasion to remember! 🥂 #PrivateTastings #TeamBuilding #ClientExperience #EndOfYearCelebration #EventPlanning #CorporateEvents #WhiskyTastings

📣 Attention Hospitality Groups! 📣 Who could possibly say no to a complimentary spotlight? 💡 Not us, and we bet you can't either! We're embarking on an exciting journey to cook up a series of articles to help our avid foodie and bev brands understand more about Hospo Groups. We're searching for seasoned pros to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom. Yes, we're looking at you, experts in the bustling hospitality arena! Do you know someone whose voice should be heard in our articles? Or do you want to share some of your own knowledge nuggets? 🍗 Comment or Tag below or reach out directly. 🎉 #HospitalityUnveiled #IndustryExperts