Top 5 Reasons Why Fast Eddies Bon Air Sells

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Across from St. Louis, in the small river town of Alton, IL resides a legendary bar called Fast Eddies Bon Air.  Some gather for the drinks, most come for the food.  The scene resembles “The Double Deuce” from the movie Roadhouse, hosting everything from bikers to attorneys.  The only difference is Patrick Swayze isn’t ripping out throats, and Fast Eddies clientele is MUCH friendlier.

The dark interior of Fast Eddies is lit up with neon beer signs, old memorabilia, and glowing flat screens covering the days sporting events.  At first glance, it’s not a place to take your mother.  Only to find out, your mom loves Fast Eddies!

So why does Fast Eddies draw such a crowd?  I’ve seen Sundays where they ring 500+ food orders by 2pm.  That’s just warm up!  What is their secret?  How do they do it?  Here are the 5 reasons why Fast Eddie’s Bon Air sells:

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Quick Reasons Why Prix Fixe Menus Rock

While they are nothing new, Prix Fixe Menus are a hot trend right now.  At least in St. Louis, they are cropping up everywhere!  In a downward economy people still want to eat out, but are looking to save cash.  Prix Fixe Menus bring in business and help your customers out.  Here are some quick reasons why:

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Meet Wes Aiken from Schedulefly – A Rockin’ Service for Restaurants

I was privileged to sit down with Wes Aiken from @Schedulefly.  The people at Schedulefly are doing amazing things for the restaurant industry.  I cannot thank Wes enough for taking time from his busy schedule.

This is a must read for restaurant owners! Enough of me yapping, lets get to the interview:

1.  I know what it has taken to develop UrbanBacon, and we still have light years to accomplish.  Can you tell me the story behind Schedulefly and what are you guys looking to accomplish?

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Top 5 Things Your Restaurant can Learn from McDonald’s

It’s no secret, chain restaurants are ultra successful business models.  They work.  They work extremely well.  Have you ever asked why?

Look, we are not promoting large corporate chains.  We love local restaurants and bars!  Helping every local restaurant in this country is our goal.  That doesn’t mean we can’t analyze chain restaurants and learn from them.

In 1955, Ray Kroc started a little chain hamburger joint called McDonald’s…maybe you heard of them?  McDonald’s was an instant classic.  You can read their story here.

The success of McDonald’s did not happen overnight.  Two brothers wanted to streamline their small hamburger stand for efficiency.  They started drawing out the flow of their kitchen on a tennis court.  Everything was strategically placed to maximize efficiency and consistency.  Then they took it a step farther.  They developed an in-depth how-to manual that someone in high school could follow.  Viola, fast food is born!

Here are 5 strategies independent restaurants can learn from McDonald’s:

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2 Quick Tips to Crush Your Restaurants Fears

I love talking with restaurant owners through social media.  Over this past year, I discovered the 2 deepest secrets that most restaurant owners fear:

1.  Keeping staff motivated, consistent, and happy.

2.  Getting or maintaining a repeat customer base.

We can view this from 2 different business viewpoints:  Operations and Marketing.  Here are 2 quick tips to kiss these fears goodbye, forever.

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Why We Want Your Restaurant to Win in 2010

The doors of your new restaurant fly open.  Linens freshly pressed, candles glowing, lines filled, bar stocked, and your staff is pumped to rock it out.

Embrace yourselves for an AMAZING grand opening!

Then it happens…

You turn 4 tables and chalk the opening up as defeat.  The staff is bummed and the lack of customers is a buzz kill.

What went wrong?  What could you have done differently?

Now I understand, this is an extreme situation.  But does it happen?  You bet.

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