Julie Cary

Why Recognizing Your Team Makes All the Difference in Restaurants (This summary is based on an article by Danny Klein, Editorial Director at QSR/FSR) As the restaurant industry bounces back from COVID-19, keeping your team engaged and motivated is more crucial than ever. Here’s a summary of Danny Klein's insights on why a culture of recognition goes a long way in restaurants. Recognition: A Simple but Powerful Tool Did you know that 64.3% of restaurant employees say more recognition from management would boost their engagement? Yet, 25% rarely receive any feedback. Regularly acknowledging your team's hard work can make a huge difference in morale and productivity. Communication: Keep It Clear and Frequent Good communication is key. Most employees prefer in-person chats, pre-shift meetings, and written notes. But don’t overlook the power of digital tools like team communication apps for quick updates and schedule changes. Opportunities to Grow: Keep Your Team Climbing Career growth is a big deal. Companies like Chipotle and CAVA have nailed it with their internal promotion programs, showing that developing talent from within keeps employees happy and loyal. Offering clear paths for advancement can really make your team feel valued. Financial Perks: Show Them the Money Financial incentives like same-day pay or tip payouts are game-changers for many employees. And perks like staff meals, discounts, and flexible schedules can make your team feel appreciated and more satisfied with their jobs. Benefits That Matter Today's employees want benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings. Offering these can help you attract and keep the best talent in the business. Training: Make It Short and Sweet When it comes to training, less is more. Most employees prefer training periods of one to two weeks, with hands-on learning from managers and shadowing experienced staff. Clear outlines and efficient programs ensure everyone gets up to speed quickly. Quick Tips for Managers: Have regular career chats with your team. Look at your internal talent pool before hiring externally. Be clear about what skills are needed for advancement and help your team develop them. Wrapping Up: Creating a culture of recognition, good communication, growth opportunities, financial perks, solid benefits, and efficient training can transform your restaurant into a place where employees love to work and thrive. #Branding #Marketing #Leadership #Restaurants #Management #Fractionalcmo #Coaching 

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🍷 Recently, my dad recommended Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon as his latest obsession. To my delight, there happened to be a promotion available when I went to purchase it! 🎉 What's your go-to wine recommendation or recent find? Did you know that Wine Sales account for 62% of total BevAl sales in the United States? Despite varying state shipping laws complicating matters for retailers and manufacturers, DTC wine sales are legal in 40 states across the country. Online wine sales have seen a growth of +2.6%, contrasting with a -1.0% decline offline.

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Interesting News in QSR Trends! 🍔🍟 The New York Post shared an article featuring Revenue Management Solutions insights on how Sonic's new $1.99 value menu is tackling rising prices. Unlike their rivals' temporary deals, Sonic's new value menu is "here to stay." Read on below for more details! #QSR #ValueMenu #FoodIndustry #ConsumerTrends #Sonic

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What an incredible couple days at The Beverage Forum! It was a privilege to hear from industry giants like Gavin Hattersley; game changing retailers (Tom Brennan of Casey's, Jesus Delgado-Jenkins of 7-Eleven, and Phil Markert of Albertsons Companies to name just a few); and inspiring brands like BeatBox, poppi, The Equitea Co., and so many more. There were a few recurring insights across the panels that resonated with what I've seen launching a new beer brand: 1. The importance of authenticity. This has to go beyond just the brand message and must be reflected in how the brand shows up at retail, how it makes its product, and how it speaks to consumers, regardless of channel. 2. The need to meet your consumers where they are. We're all busy, and convenience is key. If it's too hard to get a product (it's chronically out of stock, it's not in the expected channels, the packaging makes consumption too hard), fans, no matter how rabid, will opt for substitutes. 3. The increasing pace of innovation. Consumers are demanding variety and retailers are shifting their models to provide that. New brands have ever smaller windows to prove they have a right to stay. 4. Packaging is paramount! We learned this the hard way at EIGHT Brewing Co. As a new brand, your packaging has to work hard at retail - not only invoking the brand, but communicating your value proposition to potential consumers quicky and effectively. Thanks to the entire LA Libations team for putting on such a great event. I'm already looking forward to next year! In the meantime, here's Robert Downey Jr., co-founder of happy™, commenting on the mind-blowing competitiveness of the beverage industry.

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Life as an Agile CMO in the Beer Industry with ARMED FORCES BREWING COMPANY Navigating the dynamic and fast-paced world of the beer industry, I’ve learned that being an agile Chief Marketing Officer is not just a preference—it's a necessity. In this fast evolving landscape, principled leadership, unwavering focus on our mission, and a steadfast commitment to our strategic goals are essential. Staying true to our mission and not being swayed by fleeting trends is key. While it’s tempting to jump on every new marketing fad, I’ve found it crucial to remember that not all trends align with our brand's core values and long-term vision. Here’s what guides my approach: 1. Principled Leadership: Making decisions based on core values ensures consistency and builds trust with our audience.    2. Mission Focused: Ensuring every campaign, message, and product aligns with our overarching mission. This focus not only drives growth but also fortifies our brand’s purpose. 3. Strategic Integrity: Recognizing that marketing tactics are tools, not the strategy itself. It’s easy to get distracted by shiny new tactics, but they should always serve the strategy, not stray from it. This disciplined approach helps maintain brand integrity and delivers sustained success. 4. Adaptability with Purpose: Being agile means being adaptable, but with a clear purpose. It’s about responding to changes in the market while staying anchored to our strategic goals. In a world of constant change, my dedication to these principles is what sets us apart. It's not about chasing trends; it's about creating lasting impact through thoughtful, mission-driven marketing. #CMO #MarketingLeadership #BrandIntegrity #StrategicSuccess #AgileMarketing #VeteranOwned #Veterans

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Dear Struggling Enterprise Brands, At the NRA Show, we engaged with medium and large-size brands facing challenges in reclaiming their former glory. Many share a common struggle, witnessing a cycle of price increases, temporary sales spikes, and subsequent declines, wash, rinse, repeat, leading to uncertainty about the future with a byproduct of dwindling morale. It's disheartening to witness repetitive attempts at solutions like new leadership, menu changes, and location alterations without leveraging the valuable data at their disposal. Data they have been sitting on for years. The pressure to maintain profits amid rising costs can make every decision feel like a make-or-break situation... because in many cases it is. Fortunately, there's a solution. Machine Learning and Actionable Intelligence offer unparalleled speed and accuracy in decision-making, leveraging existing data to pave the way for smarter, data-driven strategies. By harnessing technology to analyze honest guest feedback found within transaction details, businesses can tailor location-specific solutions for sustainable growth. That's where the battles are won or lost. District Managers and Franchise Business Consultants hold the key to driving individual location performance. RedOnion.ai stands as the "Wizard Behind The Drapes" empowering them with insights to anticipate challenges and opportunities proactively. All before ever stepping a foot inside a location. Don't rely on guesswork with a diminishing profit pool for marketing efforts. Embrace data-driven strategies to address your brand's challenges effectively and join our esteemed client list to navigate the complexities of the industry with confidence. Here's a peak behind our drapes of how we do, what we do at Red Onion. WardO@RedOnion.ai Leader in Guest Behavior Analytics since 2014

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This week's guest author on Napa Valley Insider is the popular wine influencer, Paige Comrie of Wine with Paige! 🍷✨ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gCNyz-ep Paige dives into how influencers are transforming wine marketing by making wine more accessible and relatable to younger generations through personal stories and social media. Discover the power of authentic connections and learn how influencers are reshaping the wine industry. #WineMarketing #Influencers #NapaValley #CuveeApp #WineWithPaige #WineLovers

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CMOs have long served as chief dot connectors, and they can use the strength of their cross-functional and often cross-geographic relationships to help drive effective change. CMOs have always had accountability for the brand promise, and the challenge has been to deliver that brand promise across a customer journey owned by many other functions — from supply chain to customer care. The reality causes marketers to adapt as leaders and become strong integrators of experience across the organization. The nature of a CMO’s job requires strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration, preparing them uniquely as leaders for broader transformation efforts. #chiefdotconnector #transformation #leadership

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When seeking new management for your #restaurant, developing existing employees and promoting from within is a strong option. Read why and see five common mistakes new managers make according to FSR:

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Only one week left before our member exclusive webinar Navigating Trends: Insights Into Wine & Spirits for Cidermakers with our friends from 3 Tier Beverages. Join us at 10:30 AM Pacific on May 30 to explore key trends, innovations, and consumer behaviors that are shaping the wine and spirits landscape and the possible intersections with cider. #cider #cidertrends #ciderdata #pickcider #craftcider #hardcider #webinar

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You may order sauce on the side but it's still the main attraction. 🎡 Don't take it from me! Peep this Nation's Restaurant News article highlighting the QSR sauce BOOM 💥 → According to Innova Market Insights, 39% of consumers are most likely to try new flavors through sauces, seasonings + toppings. → Technomic, Inc. reports that 34% of consumers consider what sauces are available before deciding on a place to eat. → And Datassential shows that more than half of consumers have purchased a new sauce or condiment from a restaurant in the past 3 months. In a foodservice climate starving for new traffic, sauce-centric LTOs featuring new + exciting flavors on familiar menu items (e.g. 🍗 + 🍟 + 🍔 + 🌮) can be your most operationally friendly + craveworthy solution. Something I know for sure: There is one midwesterner who will *always* drive through for a new ranch flavor extension. 🙋‍♀️ -- What's your go-to, gotta-have-it, will-go-out-of-your-way-for-it sauce? 👀👇

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Provocative article from Joanna Fantozzi about the lines blurring between retail and foodservice. On-demand delivery allows for a Target pick-up in addition to a pizza, for example. So what is #foodservice and what is retail food? How will it be tracked and sized effectively moving forward? Are traffic counts meaningless? Another fundamental and structural change to add to the likes of AI in what was thought was a mature industry. #foodservice #delivery #retail #food

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I recently had the opportunity to attend a fascinating webinar, during which the 2024 Food Marketing Trend Report from Nourish Food Marketing was unveiled. This session was not just an eye-opener—it was a playbook for anyone in the digital marketing and F&B sectors looking to stay ahead.  One of the game-changers discussed in the webinar was the omnipresence of AI in the F&B industry. From AI tongues that can taste to algorithms that can personalize dietary suggestions based on your metabolic data, the potential is staggering. At Cyber PR Army, we view this as a catalyst for reimagining our marketing strategies. AI isn't just a tool; it's a partner that can help us deliver more personalized, responsive, and engaging content. One of the most striking points from the webinar was the emphasis on water conservation. With agriculture consuming a vast majority of our freshwater resources, the future of food is directly tied to the future of water. This calls for a shift in how we market food products. We need to start treating water like the precious commodity it is, and that means promoting products that are not just delicious but also water-wise. As we move forward, the focus on health and wellness is becoming more pronounced. From brain health foods that enhance cognitive functions to the rise of low-alcohol beverages, consumers are increasingly looking for products that support a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing taste. This shift offers a unique niche for marketing—emphasizing the health benefits of products can resonate deeply with consumers, especially in a post-pandemic world where health is paramount. Generation Alpha is starting to make its mark, and this demographic is unlike any we've seen before. Digital natives by birth, their preferences and consumption habits will shape the future of food marketing. This generation values authenticity, sustainability, and personalization. For marketers, this means crafting campaigns that are not only engaging but also aligned with the values of a generation that has grown up amidst rapid technological advancements and climate change awareness. Interestingly, the report highlighted a return to heritage crops and regenerative agriculture practices. This resonates with a growing consumer demand for sustainability and could redefine our agricultural practices. For us at Cyber PR Army, it’s a chance to help our clients tell a richer story. Marketing these practices effectively requires a blend of storytelling that honours tradition while embracing innovation—exactly where our expertise can shine. Whether it's leveraging AI to create more engaging and personalized campaigns or promoting sustainable practices that resonate with eco-conscious consumers, we are excited to help our clients navigate this new terrain. As we continue to explore these trends, I invite you to join the conversation. Find out more https://lnkd.in/eC-hi__C

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Restaurant chains in the U.S. account for a market capitalization of almost $500 billion (as of the end of 2023) divided among 48 companies. Every foodservice category has a clear market share leader with one exception - casual dining. While the leaders in QSR, Coffee, Fast-Casual, and Pizza each own more than 60% of the category’s market cap, for Casual Dining the leader accounts for 45% of the segment’s market cap. This is another fascinating proof point that casual dining is ripe for M&A and consolidation. But it’s a category with such a breath of brands, results, and potential that commercial due diligence is vital. #restaurants #QSR #strategy #duediligence

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The restaurant industry is expected to pass $1 trillion in annual sales this year for the first time and, after 4 (exhaustingly) challenging years, we’re hearing the word “normalize” more frequently. No doubt we should celebrate this resiliency, but it's also important to be pragmatic. By no stretch of any imagination are things back to “normal,” given inflation, high interest rates, labor shortages and costs, and so on... All these factors have contributed to a sort of redefinition of “growth.” Check out what that means in the Nation's Restaurant News Growth Report, which takes a look at current pinch points, geographic variations, segment variations, and how four wildly different concepts are navigating this "reality reset" environment. Special shoutout to Sharon Zackfia, Blake Kaplan, Hudson Riehle, Lauren Fernandez, R. J. Hottovy, CFA, Lisa W. Miller, CSP, Richard Shank, and Joe Pawlak for distilling a complex confluence of trends.

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How can you avoid the stagnation trap and focus daily on being open to new, innovative ideas, perspectives and ways of thinking? By becoming a better listener. Former Yum! Brands CEO David Novak shares tips, via Chief Executive Group

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How does menu engineering affect your brand's positioning? In episode 3 of The Menu Mix, https://lnkd.in/eZ6iCTmv George Wetz and Matthew Holy, MFB take a look at how Aba Restaurant (Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants) reinforce their premium brand promise through smart structuring and understanding the psychology of restaurant guests.  #menudesign #abarestaurant #restaurantlife #LettuceEntertainYou

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I'm excited and honored to have joined Perceptual Advisors as Managing Director, CPG/Food & Beverage Practice. I'm leading our global efforts to support brands in these growth categories that are projected to surpass $11 trillion globally by 2030. Since the announcement was published, here are the top questions people have asked me: Who is Perceptual Advisors? We're a unique communications, marketing, and public affairs firm with a team of more than 50 professionals around the globe all of whom have served in senior roles with iconic companies, in government, and with leading marketing & comms agencies. Why did I drink the PA Kool-Aid?  In short, it's because of the people and the value proposition we offer our clients. Those of us (like me) that have ample experience both on the in-house/brand and agency side can appreciate how compelling it is. People: Our team includes former senior executives across the globe from eBay, Visa, Tesla, AT&T, Aston Martin, Crispin Porter Bogusky, Burson Marsteller, Rolex, Proctor & Gamble, the U.S. Congress, and many more. They've successfully managed campaigns for companies like Facebook, AT&T, IBM, Ferrari, FedEx, HP, Unilever, Metlife, Mondelez, Symantec, Burger King, Allergan, SoftBank, Ford, and the list goes on. Value proposition that sets Perceptual Advisors apart: - Unparalleled Access to talent & capabilities: C-suite level professionals across industries, geographies and marketing/comms disciplines - All-senior team: No hand-offs to inexperienced staffers handling your business. - Hands-on approach: From strategy to execution, our entire senior-level team actually does the work. - Deep experience: Our team has successfully dealt with nearly every type of issue, challenge and opportunity CPG, F&B and most industries are moving at breakneck speed and facing unprecedented changes. We have a lean, agile and smart team of experts that deliver a strong ROI and successful outcomes quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Sound good? Reach out to me to catch-up and chat about how Perceptual Advisors can help you tackle some of your pain points and/or opportunities. Talk soon. #problemsolvers #allseniorteamallthetime #perceptualadvisors #opentowork #Food&Beverage #CPG

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