Seeking Better Ways

Self-Serve Beer Wall

While visiting a Las Vegas restaurant, pizzaioli Chris Zaugg observed a unique selfservice “beer wall.” Patrons presented their IDs at the register to open their tab and received an electronic fob. Along the wall, a screen by each tap displayed the beer’s name and price in cents per ounce. Touching the fob to each tap’s sensor allowed them to pour as much or as little of that brew as they wanted. A computerized system then tracked each guest’s total ounces (and cumulative tab) across all electronically metered taps up to a 48 ounce limit.

Back home, Chris installed a ten-tap version. Chris’ guests enjoy pouring their own tasting flights of an ever-changing variety of premium artisan brews. And because the automated system is self-regulating/self-limiting, Chris or his manager can log guests in and out, without any additional staffing.

Chris Zaugg, Owner
Coterie Pizza
Garrett, IN

Cookie “Aroma Marketing”

At their small pizzeria, Patti & George Taylor tempt “to go” customers with the subtle aroma of freshly baked “Three Chocolate Chip Cookies.” Featuring their signature blend of milk, semi-sweet, and dark chips, the fragrant scratch-made delicacies often sell themselves to hungry guests picking up takeout pies. To ensure “just baked” freshness, Patti and George mix batter, portion, cover, and refrigerate trays of unbaked cookies weekly, and then have their team bake new trays daily. Their counter team is also good about suggestively selling these sweet treats!

Patti & George Taylor, Owners
Taylors’ Pizza House
Endwell, NY

Surprise and Delight

It is best to negotiate future lease options/rent ranges long before the contract ends to avoid facing 11th hour “take it or leave it” rent hikes. In Brian Nittayo’s case, his landlord apparently felt the growing popularity of Brian’s restaurant entitled them to a bigger slice of the pie and tried to multiply the future rent. Fortunately, Brian had previously purchased a storefront in a neighboring town and opened a second location. So rather than unprofitably high rent or seeking new digs, Brian immediately began relocating his “flagship” fans to his nearby “lifeboat” location!

Brian Nittayo, Owner
Rose City Pizza
Covina, CA