Unique Ideas

“No Strings” Introductions

Pizzeria owner Clive Brown refuses to discount his superior food because it would devalue his quality in customer eyes, attract disloyal price shoppers, and train “full price” regulars to expect further discounts.

Instead, to attract new quality oriented customers, Clive gives his food away FREE to desirable customer types. For example, Clive gives local realtors gift certificates entitling home purchasers to have a FREE, fully loaded pizza delivered to their new house, no strings attached. Making his offer a genuine gift (without “buy this, get that” type conditions) makes recipients feel special and helps them recognize that Clive’s place stands out from the crowd!

Clive Brown, Owner Pizzability Sooke, BC

 

No Drama Mama

The idea of “takeaway” food is centuries old. But while consumers prefer “restaurant quality” food over the supermarket, some still feel better about food they have a hand in preparing. That is why pasta shop owner Leah Gizzi (“geet-zee”) developed “No Drama Mama” boxed Italian suppers for her clientele.

Her boxed “pasta and meatballs” dinner feeds six and contains separately packaged red sauce, par cooked fresh pasta, and fully cooked meatballs. Her “make it yourself pizza dinner” contains individual components, including a dough ball, sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings. As a result, the perfectly portioned “grab and go” meals have proven popular with her customers!

Leah Gizzi Mama Gizzi Pasta Greenacres, FL

 

Post Game Deliveries

When distant high schools compete against the local high school, they feed their student athletes before the long bus ride home. By making this process painless for visiting coaches, Roger Houselog has sold literally “busloads” of pizza.

Roger researches which teams/coaches will visit that season. He then emails each coach well in advance, offering to deliver hot pizza, sodas, napkins, and trash bags to their busses as soon as their game ends so players can enjoy a hot meal before riding home. To establish credibility, he provides the names of local coaches (personal friends) as references. After tasting his pizza, many teams now call ahead annually to order their next team meal!

Roger Houselog, Owner Tower Pizza Staples, MN

 

Taking Time to Prevent Burnout

Five days a week, Jim and Annette Murdaca are in continual motion in their popular trattoria, making each guest feel pampered and appreciated. But on Sunday and Monday, they have long closed their restaurant to savor time with their family and “recharge their batteries.”

Obviously, every business situation is different. But Jim feels that consciously closing their restaurant on their two slowest days was one of the smartest things they have done. Besides preventing burnout, stepping away from the business each week promotes a positive outlook, sparks creativity, and renews the upbeat enthusiasm their customers genuinely enjoy!

Jim and Annette Murdaca Pietro’s Trattoria Lodi, CA

 

Curbing Cell Phone Abuse

Employee cell phone use while “on the clock” steals employer time. It also feels rude to the customers who see (or hear) it. After repeatedly asking her employees not to, this owner finally introduced a very simple written policy prohibiting employees from looking at, touching, or speaking on cell phones at work. In case of family emergencies, the policy welcomes family members to contact employees by calling the restaurant’s main phone number.

While most team members honored the new policy from the start, it took sending two “violators” home mid shift to make sure everyone got the message!

Wishes to remain anonymous