Category Archives: Restaurant News

Employees Are Number 1 Too!

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cartoon character of number oneIn an era when traditional business models and strategic plans often can’t stop bleeding profits, quick-serve executives at QSR’s Dine America conference  hinted that the new age of business growth may be less about an investment in the consumer—and more about an investment in employees.

Joe Tortorice Jr., a keynote speaker at Dine America and the founder and CEO of Jason’s Deli—a company known for its low turnover and high AUV—told the audience during his speech that too many American companies are built for a short-term run, not long term. He said that while European companies often last two to three centuries, the average American company only lasts 20–40 years. Continue reading “Employees Are Number 1 Too!” »

Growth, Profitability and the Presidential Election

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IFA logoThose gathered at the 52nd annual International Franchise Association convention in Orlando expressed a collective sense of optimism that sales would grow modestly in 2012. Growth, profitability and the presidential election was on the mind among those in attendance. The main concept in keynote speakers and the educational sessions was one that the quick-service industry would continue to rebound from the recession.  Continue reading “Growth, Profitability and the Presidential Election” »

Love is in the Air and So Are New Customers

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Get New Customers this Valentine's DayMost people think of flowers and expensive meals when they think of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a day to splurge on your and loved ones.  Many consumers are looking to upgrade on their usual dining choices.  A fast food customer might treat themselves to a fast-causal meal; a causal diner may splurge on some fine dining.  Families and customers who normally do not eat out may treat themselves to a fast food dinner.  This is a great opportunity for all levels of restaurants to build new customers.

Pollo Tropical is using this holiday to bring out people for a meal by targeting the customer who normally does not eat out with a $9.99 dinner for two.   Papa Murphy is also targeting value-minded customers with its “Heartbaker” a $7 heart-shaped pizza.  This pizza is a take n bake pizza finished at home thus increasing their traffic all day long.

Not just restaurants are capitalizing on this holiday to bring in new customers. Krispy Kreme is looking to expand its customer base with their popular heart shaped doughnuts featuring red and white sprinkles and icing.  Doughnuts may not seem like a romantic idea but Krispy Kreme’s chief marketing officer Dwayne Chambers says romance isn’t what the company is aiming for rather they are capitalizing on the holiday to pull in larger groups of people.  Doughnuts are a great way to share the holiday with family, office workers and classmates.  These consumers are not generally your regular customers.  So it is a strong opportunity to build new customers.

Once you get these new customers into your establishment, you need to keep them!  Add these holiday consumers to your database of customers, Pinnacle’s SunDrop technology allows merchants to market to these customers at point-of-sale and the rest in done for you. Merchants can then begin marketing to these new customers by targeted SMS text, email or social media. Interesting in utilizing these services? Contact Pinnacle for more inforamtion today.

On The Move

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Anthony's Coal Fired PizzaAnthony’s Coal Fire Pizza is on the move!  Started in 2002 with one restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Anthony’s now has 31 restaurants in five states with plans to open two more this quarter.  By the end of 2012 they project to have 1,500 employees company wide.

Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza was profiled in the December issue of South Florida Business Journal as one of the Fastest Growing Companies.  Founder Anthony Bruno bases his growth on three key ingredients- great food, personal service and a simple, constant menu.  Also in December, Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza and Big 105.9 were the winners of “best in sound” during the Winterfest Boat Parade.  They were aboard the gorgeous Summer Wind, a member of the Charter One fleet. What a month!

This year Anthony’s over saw a major expansion of their social networking platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.  This allowed them to reach and engage their customers on a one-to-one basis; like they do in their establishments.  Pinnacle Hospitably Solutions is the proud supplier of the point of sale system for Anthony’s.  Since SunDrop’s mobile loyalty solution is point of sale integrated, employees are guided through an automated capture process and every loyalty members ROI is captured and analyzed. SunDrop makes social connection “one click away” in their opt-in email registration process which allows you to engage your customers instantly.

If you are interested in marketing online and on Facebook and Twitter, like Anthony’s, check out Pinnacle’s point-of-sale social integration with their SunDrop Mobile platform. Gain the ability to have your offers and coupons broadcast on Facebook and watch it spread virally. SunDrop can be integrated directly into other software products and includes SMS text message, email and voice in addition to social media communication. Get your company moving today, contact Pinnacle at 800-771-7100 or email us at info@pinnaclens.com.

Pinnacle President Attends Thought Leadership Summit

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Inspire 2012

This weekend, Pinnacle Hospitality Systems President Don Potter is attending the Retail Solutions Providers Association’s Annual Thought Leadership Summit, “INSPIRE2012”. Every winter this conference is located in a tropical get-a-away and this year’s destination happened to be in the enchanting country of Costa Rica at the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort. INSPIRE is attended to offer executive level education and first class networking to fellow industry leaders. This conference is a little bit different than your usual hotel ballroom with motivational speakers; it offers a unique experience of exciting excursions and adventure that may only be experienced once-in-a-lifetime.

This years featured speaker is Brett Haward, a professional speaker and a peak performance coach to thousands. Haward is not only an expert in what separates the average from the super-successful but is passionate in making that happen for you. Stimulating excursions at the conference range from a scholarship golf tournament, Savegre white water rafting, horseback riding and a jungle crocodile safari river cruise.

Pinnacle Solutions prides itself in being the top of its industry and taking every opportunity to better the company and your hospitality services. If you are a restaurateur and looking to invest and expand more in the quick-serve restaurant industry while incorporating a point of sale system for your quick-serve restaurant, look no further. Pinnacle Hospitality Solutions offers business solutions to integrate your point of sales system, accounting, credit authorization, online ordering, and inventory in a single easy to use interface that makes daily operations a seamless service from start to finish. For more information, contact Pinnacle today.

Quick-Serve Restaurant Stocks Beat the Rest of the Restaurant Industry in 2011

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POS Quick-ServeQuick-serve restaurant stocks beat the rest of the restaurant industry in 2011.

The quick-serve industry as a whole saw a rise in stock values as it our-performed the rest of the restaurant industry. The S&P 500’s restaurant sub-index consists of five restaurant stocks, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., McDonald’s Corp., Starbucks Corp., and Yum! Brands Inc., as well as one full-service restaurant company Darden Restaurants Inc. The sub-index rose 29.9 percent last year. The group’s only company to drop in price last year was the full-service restaurant company Darden.

McDonald’s and Yum are also among 9 stocks that make up the Bloomberg U.S. Quick-Service Restaurant Index – this index rose 13.5 percent. While Bloomberg’s 17-stock full-service restaurant index dipped 1 percent. These results reflect broad economic trends. While people are continuing to eat out and take vacations, they are being more sensible and trading down their choices.

The fast-casual businesses are increasing the amount of customers they are attracting as people trade down from casual dining. Quick-serve restaurants are having great sales and profits when they have a menu that appeals to both value and upscale diners. Many restaurateurs are looking to invest and expand more in the quick-serve restaurant industry. If you are looking for a point of sale system for your quick-serve restaurant, look no further, Pinnacle Hospitality Solutions offers business solutions to integrate your point of sales system, accounting, credit authorization, online ordering, and inventory in a single easy to use interface that makes daily operations a seamless service from start to finish. For more information, contact Pinnacle today.

Famous Cuban Café & Nightclub Uses POSitouch

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Bongo’s Cuban Café in Miami is kind of a big deal. International superstars Gloria and Emilio Estefan are behind this famous nightclub and restaurant that serves up some of the best local Latin cuisine, and great dancing tunes to boot.

Since it first opened in Downtown Disney in Orlando, Bongo’s has been entertaining diners and clubgoers alike and receiving rave reviews in the process. In addition to Cuban cuisine, Bongo’s hosts several high-profile international events, including the Latin Grammy’s, Latin Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and many more. “With the ability to accommodate all types of entertainment such as a welcome reception, corporate event, showcase, live concert, wedding reception or simply a gathering among friends you can surely think outside of the “Ballroom” and imagine the possibilities for your next event,” explains Bongo’s Cuban Café website. Groove to the tantalizing Latin rhythms by night and enjoy delicious Cuban cuisine by day. Bongo’s extensive menu includes Latin selections for Mariscos (Seafood), Carnes (Meats), Pollo (Chicken), Chino Cubanos (Rice Dishes) and other specialties. If you’re in the mood for fish, try Bongo’s Famous Creole Seafood Combo, with lobster, shrimp, scallops, calamari, fish, baby clams and mussels in a homemade Cuban Creole Sauce. Or, try the Cuban-Style Steak if you’re craving something from the land, with garlic and mojo. If you can’t decide on a drink, order Bongo’s famous Mojito for a refreshing treat that’s sure to please.

Because of Bongo’s high-profile founders, the restaurant is incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike. To maintain daily operations, Bongo’s contacted Pinnacle Hospitality Systems for their superior point of sale system. With POSitouch, Bongo’s offers a seamless service from start to finish. If you’re interested in a POS system in Miami, contact Pinnacle today.