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Articles by Aaron
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Calculus for the Foodservice Industry in 2022
Calculus for the Foodservice Industry in 2022
By Aaron Allen
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Foodservice Workers on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Outbreak
Foodservice Workers on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Outbreak
By Aaron Allen
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Flagging Sales and Falling Margins Can Serve as Inspiration for Innovation
Flagging Sales and Falling Margins Can Serve as Inspiration for Innovation
By Aaron Allen
Contributions
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Here's how you can overcome common challenges as a new manager.
Think value creation over cost containment alone. Anyone with a quotation/estimate can think they are a skilled negotiator by demanding a discount; the smart up-and-coming managers demonstrate their worth by delivering revenue growth and business momentum, not just cost containment.
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You're considering opening a franchise. How can you make sure you choose the right one?
One of the things that tears franchise systems apart is infighting - the franchisor and franchisee in some systems get at odds on the origins and future opportunities for the brand. Keep culture and chemistry in mind when evaluating a franchise brand.
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What strategies can you use to ensure franchisees are comfortable asking questions?
Anonymity is key. All too often we have seen well-meaning internal research initiatives turn into witch hunts. One case study from almost 20 years ago still haunts me… The CMO of the franchisor (a start-up at the time that later sold for over $1b) commissioned us to get a true pulse of the organization. Anecdotal comments collected under the promise of anonymity turned up many concerns (thematically) about the CEO’s mother terrorizing corporate staff and franchise partners. Rather than take it in objectively, the leader demanded confidentiality veils be removed so the discontented could be rooted out. We lost the account protecting the trust of respondents, but it definitely sticks: True objectivity requires some level of anonymity.
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How can you use performance data to improve multi-unit franchise locations?
I would agree with most of these but would also emphasize franchisee satisfaction as a key metric. Large foodservice systems like McDonald’s and many others in the industry use this as a critical factor in measuring the health of the system. It can be double-edged though as it can also contribute to more infighting if not properly managed. Happy franchisees are a big part of the overall equation though (objectivity and mediation are also important considerations to take into account to balance this metric in the overall scorecard, especially for #restaurant franchises).
Activity
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Restaurants in California are really feeling the pinch from new labor laws and increased cost inputs. The smart operators are meeting the challenge…
Restaurants in California are really feeling the pinch from new labor laws and increased cost inputs. The smart operators are meeting the challenge…
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Restaurant and Hotels sales (two segments of HORECA) were lagging behind other industries in the KSA in the last year (taking May 2024 vs May 2023…
Restaurant and Hotels sales (two segments of HORECA) were lagging behind other industries in the KSA in the last year (taking May 2024 vs May 2023…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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Imagine a new approach to the drive-thru experience for chained restaurant operators... Several large chains have experimented with AI-enabled voice…
Imagine a new approach to the drive-thru experience for chained restaurant operators... Several large chains have experimented with AI-enabled voice…
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Experience & Education
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Restaurant sales are lagging behind other industries in the KSA in the last year (taking May 2024 vs May 2023). While, on average, sales have grown…
Restaurant sales are lagging behind other industries in the KSA in the last year (taking May 2024 vs May 2023). While, on average, sales have grown…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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I really miss Anthony Bourdain. One of my favorite episodes is this one from Indonesia. For a few years, I made it a point to hit every stop he…
I really miss Anthony Bourdain. One of my favorite episodes is this one from Indonesia. For a few years, I made it a point to hit every stop he…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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Over the last decades, the restaurant industry has been very successful in the KSA (and in the Middle East in general). There’s been a…
Over the last decades, the restaurant industry has been very successful in the KSA (and in the Middle East in general). There’s been a…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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During the first half of 2024, restaurant M&A activity remained at similar levels as the same period in 2023. This first half of the year there were…
During the first half of 2024, restaurant M&A activity remained at similar levels as the same period in 2023. This first half of the year there were…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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There are different ways to grow for restaurant chains and investment is required for it to pay off in the short and long term. For chains that are…
There are different ways to grow for restaurant chains and investment is required for it to pay off in the short and long term. For chains that are…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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There’s almost nowhere in the world that is experiencing contraction in terms of overall restaurant industry growth. As true as that is, it’s also…
There’s almost nowhere in the world that is experiencing contraction in terms of overall restaurant industry growth. As true as that is, it’s also…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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In the U.S., the split of sales between full-service restaurants (FSR) and limited-service restaurants (LSR) has been close to 50-50 for a long time.…
In the U.S., the split of sales between full-service restaurants (FSR) and limited-service restaurants (LSR) has been close to 50-50 for a long time.…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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In it’s most sincere form, this is consulting. Call it coaching or partnership or something else, but when someone really cares about your well-being…
In it’s most sincere form, this is consulting. Call it coaching or partnership or something else, but when someone really cares about your well-being…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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The fastest-growing emerging restaurant chains are showing growth in non-obvious categories. We are often working with multi-national multi-brand…
The fastest-growing emerging restaurant chains are showing growth in non-obvious categories. We are often working with multi-national multi-brand…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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Limited-Service Restaurants introduce new items with a cadence ranging between one new item (either LTOs or permanent) per week to one new item every…
Limited-Service Restaurants introduce new items with a cadence ranging between one new item (either LTOs or permanent) per week to one new item every…
Shared by Aaron Allen
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Credit where credit is due! I have no problem giving credit to the MSM of which we have been very critical lately. Sky News explains one of the most…
Credit where credit is due! I have no problem giving credit to the MSM of which we have been very critical lately. Sky News explains one of the most…
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