Ashlyn Funtanilla’s Post

A restaurant's success isn't just about the food—it's about the people. In today's challenging hospitality climate, where staff retention is harder than ever and labour costs keep rising, building a strong company culture isn't a 'nice-to-have'—it's essential for survival. But here's the reality: most restaurants struggle to maintain consistent culture across locations, leading to: ☝️ higher staff turnover 🌊 inconsistent guest experiences ⬆️ rising operational costs Read on as we dig into practical strategies to strengthen your restaurant's culture that can help keep your team happy and your guests smiling. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewsQpQQC #restaurants #restaurantmanagement #staffretention

If you get 100 restaurant consultants together and ask them what they do, you’ll probably get 100 answers. So, if you are considering adding one to your team, how do you even know what you are looking for? What do you do? First, you probably worry about hiring the wrong person. Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first. These are some of the real comments I have heard. “A restaurant consultant is a restaurant manager who does not have a job.” Sad, but sometimes true. “I had a guy in linen pants who used to come out here and tell me what to do.” Note to self, do not wear linen pants. “I know all about restaurant advisors — I have seen them speak at trade shows.” Really? Sure, there are ineffective people out there — but there are also plenty of extremely talented people who can collaborate with their clients to create jaw-dropping breakthroughs that would never have occurred without outside advice. My clients — owners of successful independent multi-unit restaurant companies — are all extremely talented people who are confident enough and realistic enough to know they can’t possibly know it all and will benefit from help. If you are looking to achieve results that would be impossible if you relied simply on your internal capabilities, bringing in an expert is the best move for you. Read here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g4NVFMCz #restaurateur #restaurant #success #businessadvice

Every restaurant needs a great manager. Having the right team is crucial to scaling revenue and achieving business longevity. https://lnkd.in/e4WQspyE

Encouraging Autonomy: A Key Component of Empowerment In the world of hospitality, autonomy is a game-changer. When restaurant staff have the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their roles, they feel more invested in their work, which ultimately enhances guest experiences. 👉 Autonomy allows employees to step into their roles with confidence. Think about servers recommending off-menu pairings, hosts adjusting seating arrangements, or bartenders creating signature cocktails. These are all examples of employees empowered to make decisions that directly impact the guest experience. A restaurant in New York saw an increase in wine sales and guest satisfaction simply by allowing servers to tailor wine recommendations to guests’ preferences. 🔥 Empowerment like this doesn’t only impact individual performance—it creates a culture where employees take pride in their work and deliver a more personalised experience for guests. When your staff feel trusted, they are more likely to go above and beyond. Action Item: ❎ Start small: identify one area where employees can take more ownership and decision-making power. ❎ Provide training and encourage them to take the reins in that area, while supporting them with the confidence to act independently. #EmployeeEmpowerment #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantManagement #WorkplaceCulture

What makes one restaurant thrive in this challenging environment, when another has a 3 month wait to book a reservation. It's not found in a secret recipe or an exclusive dish, but in a simple mantra: Put your customers first. This was a valuable lesson Rony Vexelman, the VP of marketing at Optimove, posed in an Amazing Business Radio interview I just read. However, like in any good recipe, there's always room for a little twist. But, account executive Heather Quick Ginevan, slightly disagrees: The real victors in our business are those who put employees at the top of their priority list. When restaurant teams feel respected and appreciated, it translates into an irresistible dining experience for my patrons. I've been in this industry for many years, and I can vouch a great dining experience begins from treating your staff well. I believe if you want to enhance the reputation and ambiance of your restaurant, you must give prime consideration to your team's experience. Restaurant owners and chefs sweat it out in the kitchen to create a tantalizing menu, keeping their guests coming back. But focusing on employee experience doesn't just complement the guest experience — it's a crucial ingredient too. Your staff, who toil day-in and day-out, are the living embodiment of your restaurant’s values and vision. When they feel valued, the positive energy they exude plays a big part in creating a delightful experience for our guests. So, if you're wondering whether to prioritize your customers or your staff, remember – they are both important pieces of the same puzzle. Investing in your team is investing in your guests, and creating a fantastic work environment leads to an equally fantastic dining experience. The result? A bustling restaurant with satisfied guests who can't wait to return. #hiring #jobs #hospitality #pennsylvania #resort #club #help #community #headhunter #recruiter #restaurantmanager #readytowork #restaurant #geckohospitality #pennsylvaniarestaurants #coloradorestaurants #iowarestaurants #nebraskarestaurants #delawarerestaurants #restaurant #idahorestaurants #restaurantcareers #chefs #arkansasrestaurants #food 

My codification process creates a unique concise, memorable way to talk about culture and allows you to measure it. Often when I approach a client to do culture work, they initially don’t see the value. But we codify their essence so everyone in the organization understands the aspirational culture – and we measure it everyday. Read here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSJD2qd2 #restaurateur #restaurant #success #businessadvice

The owner of the #1 restaurant in the world taught me about unreasonable hospitality. What is Unreasonable Hospitality? → going above and beyond in the pursuit of how you make people feel Here’s how serving a hot dog at a Michelin-star restaurant created this philosophy 🌭 One night, he overheard a table talking about their upcoming flight. This couple had tried many restaurants in NYC. But…they never tried a hot dog. So, Will walked out the back of the restaurant and ordered hot dogs off the street. Then, he asked his highly sophisticated, master chef to prepare New York street hot dogs on a plate. As he handed the exquisitely designed plate to the couple, Will said he wanted to make sure they went home having tried everything on their list. They loved the hot dogs. And Will’s restaurant changed forever. 💡 They repeated these acts time and time again making it their mission to provide unreasonable hospitality. Their dedication to this mission led to a win-win-win scenario: 1️⃣ Customers were delighted 2️⃣ Business grew via word-of-mouth 3️⃣ Staff morale soared due to collaboration, shared ownership of success, and fulfillment from making others happy How can unreasonable hospitality be applied to every business? Well first, excellence in your product is table stakes. Bare minimum. Heck, even excellent service is table stakes, too. It’s ONLY the above-and-beyond service that is memorable. This is done by being present when you talk to your prospects and customers. When providing a service to someone, you must actively listen to what they are saying (and not saying). And to stand out, make the customer be seen. They are one-of-one, and your service to them should be one-of-one. Brief summary of this lesson: 😁 Making others happy is the most fulfilling form of happiness 📝 Unreasonable hospitality means being creative and intentional with your pursuit of relationships 🚀 The only long-term differentiator for your company is hospitality -- “People will forget what you do; they'll forget what you said. But they'll never forget how you made them feel.” #UnreasonableHospitality #WillGuidara #VeeCon

Is Johnny Carinos a Great Place for a Server to Work? Is Johnny Carinos a Great Place for a Server to Work? Are you considering a job as a server at Johnny Carino’s? You’re in for a whirlwind experience that goes far beyond simply taking orders. Imagine walking into an atmosphere thick with the irresistible aroma of Italian delicacies, where every shift transforms you into a central player in the vibrant drama of dining. From navigating the exhilarating chaos of a packed restaurant to mastering a diverse menu that’s as rich as the stories shared around the table, being a server here is both a challenge and a calling. But there’s more. Picture a supportive team environment where open communication reigns, and management is actively engaged, fostering growth and camaraderie. With plenty of opportunities for advancement and tips that can bolster your income, this could be your stepping stone in a rewarding industry. So, what are the ups and downs of working at Johnny Carino’s? Get ready to discover the truth as we dive into the pros and cons of serving at this beloved Italian chain. Whether you're seeking flexibility to balance life’s demands or looking for a fast-paced environment where every shift brings new stories and challenges, this guide will unveil the inside scoop o...

In the competitive world of dining, running a successful restaurant requires more than just good food and a great ambiance. To thrive, restaurateurs must navigate challenges like fluctuating food costs, evolving customer preferences, and the pressures of maintaining a strong brand identity. Hiring a consultant advisor can be a game-changing decision that ensures your establishment doesn’t just survive but flourishes. In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, hiring a consultant advisor is not just a smart move—it’s a necessary one. Their expertise, fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions can help you overcome challenges, seize new opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. If you’re ready to elevate your restaurant to the next level, consider investing in a consultant advisor. Your future success may depend on it.

If you want your restaurants to be fully staffed with people you are proud of, you must do what I do with my clients, and constantly address these top seven issues with one thought in mind: “How does this appeal to a person who might otherwise want to work somewhere else?” 🔹What you serve 🔹How you serve 🔹How you rally your team around a goal 🔹How you make your restaurant into a cause 🔹How you treat people and develop their careers 🔹How you position your brand 🔹How you interact with your community Restaurateurs who can tell an attractive story to prospective employees and hear that same story back from their existing employees are going to be fully staffed with employees they are proud of. Others, not so much. Over to you. When it comes to attracting the workforce, where are you strongest? And where do you need the most attention? 💬Share your thoughts below! Read here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gq2QNf4y #restaurateur #restaurant #success #businessadvice