Jennifer Ragle

In QSR, sauces start to command a bigger spotlight. Data shows that 34% of consumers now consider what sauces are available when deciding on a restaurant. Pretty interesting! https://bit.ly/4dfp6os #QSR #Restaurants #NewStrategies #CustomerExperience

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As ROIs and LOLs converge in conversation, don’t we need more TLAs? ACV: The heavyweight champion of sales metrics, where every deal is a knockout punch towards the revenue goal. #HBros #AnnualContractValue #RevenueKnockout #SpreadPositivity

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Major QSR's are falling behind their competitors. Staying ahead of the curve is a tall task for QSR's. In an ever-evolving market, businesses are constantly striving to revolutionize dining and provide their customers with an efficient, engaging, and convenient ordering process. Digital drive-thru menu boards are a game-changing advancement that is transforming the industry. Not only do they enhance the customer experience, but they also streamline operations for businesses. From displaying the order price to featuring specialty products with eye-catching movement, digital drive-thru menu boards are a significant improvement over traditional menu boards. * * * Learn more about digital drive-thru menu boards at the link below: https://hubs.la/Q02tPQ2g0 #menuboard #QSR #Digitalsignage

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https://bit.ly/3TZH2uk data shows that QSR and fast casual concepts have experienced year-over-year visit increases every quarter since Q1 2023, while full-service has declined or remained flat. https://bit.ly/3VWYbHC Do you think, latest restaurant technology is adding to the growth of QSRs? Let us know in the comments below. #QSR #DriveThrus #Technology #RestaurantTech #Texas

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As economic conditions shift, pizza brands are exploring different strategies to increase sales and attract customers, a trend seen across various QSR concepts🍕 According to the latest RMS quarterly report, there's been a 3.5% YOY drop in QSR traffic compared to Q1 2023. Discover how restaurants are adapting to stay ahead of the curve in a report by QSR Magazine: https://lnkd.in/eZ5KJ-bm #restaurantindustry #pizza

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Brand Experience Pipelines at QSR Recruiting What is a Brand Experience Pipeline? A pipeline of both active and passive QSR job seekers that have both the necessary job role, brand experience, and historical performance within that same brand. What qualifies a candidate to enter the Brand Experience Pipeline? We look for the 5 P's. 1. PERSISTENCE WITHIN THE BRAND. Three consecutive years same brand. 2.PURPOSEFUL, RESILIENT, LEADER Minimum of Three years at job role. 3. PERSISTENCE WITHIN INDUSTRY Average QSR career job tenure of at least 3 years for all QSR jobs, (5 years is more preferable). 4. PROVEN BRAND PERFORMANCE. Proven historical performance and achievement within the same brand. 5. PEOPLE & RELATIONSHIPS Strong, verified, 360° QSR references. Being in our Brand Experience Pipeline identifies you as a "Brand Champion." for clients that have job opportunities for your brand. We have found through experience that these "Brand Champions," receive job offers quickly and are usually higher than both market and current salary. If you meet the above qualifications to be in a Brand Experience Pipeline, please send your resume to: Bruce@quickservicerecruiting.com. BTW, we always look for the BEST candidate for each opportunity regardless of historical brands, but we have found that once our clients have determined a candidate's qualifications, performance history, and culture fit, that qualifying brand experience gives that candidate additional preference and very often leads to a very quick first interview, faster interview process, and quick job offers. The post below is for the four brands that currently have the most urgent needs, but we do represent 14 Mainstream QSR Brands. Arby's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Dunkin', Popeye's, Church's Chicken, Wing Stop, Little Ceasers, Pizza Hut, Face Plant, Sonic, Freddy's and Jersey Mikes. #qsr #supercandidates #get #more #job #offers #faster

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Include the cost of delivery in your item price versus separating it out….so says the data presented by Andrew Custage of Medallia who questioned customers on their preferences - here at Food On Demand 2024. What does your restaurant do on pricing delivery? The Digital Restaurant #fooddelivery #pricing

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In the post-COVID world, third-party delivery platforms & restaurants need each other to be successful. This enlightening piece from QSR helps shed light on the relationship between the two, the struggles of the current dynamic, & ways that we can improve the system for all. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6zzwiGN

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Ready to spice up your restaurant’s marketing? Tune in to hear KJP Marketing Services’ Kim Jensen-Pits share key insights on the latest industry trends: https://bit.ly/4aH2UC1 #RestaurantIndustry #MarketingStrategy

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Ever hear those frustrated honks in your drive-thru? Or watch cars zoom past due to long wait times? With drive-thrus dominating the qsr landscape and customer expectations at an all-time high, staying ahead of the curve is essential. DTiQ's #drivethru solutions are proven to deliver results: 📈 $24,000 incremental revenue 🎯 23% increase in order accuracy 🚀 4% more cars through the drive-thru in peak hours Experience the drive-thru technology that will revolutionize your #qsr game. With DTiQ's cutting-edge solutions, say goodbye to long wait times and hello to happy customers — learn how we can help! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/exnGKCFC

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Are your franchisees struggling to connect with local customers? Ansira’s EVP of Media Catie Cryder shares how QSR brands can spice up their marketing efforts by embracing a hyper-local approach that resonates with your franchisees’ diverse markets. Read more in QSR Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gb9dm5DD #Franchisees #QSR #LocalMarketing

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Curious what the top foodservice distribution professionals did to get where they are? Intersted in learning more about the complexities that exist in different regions and business segments? Culinary Connections: Distribution Dialogues dives into the heart of foodservice. We learn about the realities, challenges and opportunities for those builds sales and marketing products across the country. If you are hungry to learn, tune into the Podcast for unique insights with movers and shakers in the industry. Episode 10 has dropped featuring 40 under 40 Produce Industry Veteran Billy Itule. His family business helps supplies the best restaurants, foodservice operators and hospitality professionals in Arizona. Hear his journey and learn how technology has changed the way they operate. We also have 9 other episodes featuring some great nuggets of information. Next week we dive into a topic, Women in Seafood, with two dynamic voices in the industry!

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Often, companies aim for grand sustainability goals but overlook simpler, impactful solutions like optimizing logistics and distribution. Debi Gann from ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions offers a fascinating perspective on this. ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions is one of the biggest companies in the foodservice supply chain you likely haven't heard of yet. Listen to Farm to Fork: The Innovators Podcast on your favorite player or on the links below. #PodcastEpisode #Sustainability #Foodservice #SupplyChain

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Portillo's last earnings call reported despite a challenging Q1, they're winning with strategic price increases: -Targeted menu price hikes (3% in Q2) offset inflation without hurting sales and no other pricing increases are planned. However, it was notable they said nothing about strategic decreases. -Higher-margin salads like the Spicy Chicken Chopped option are a hit. -Value bundles like the Famous Five are back to tempt budget-conscious diners. They're also laser-focused on efficiency: -Drive-thru speed improvements aim to recapture pre-pandemic levels. -Smaller store formats and kiosk testing streamline operations. Portillo's shows how strategic pricing and operational tweaks can navigate a tricky market. For the March 31-ended quarter, revenues were up 6.3% to $165.8 million. Net income was $5.3 million, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million for the first quarter last year. Need help with your pricing strategy? Visit JUICER and talk to the experts. Read Restaurant Business Online full article here: https://lnkd.in/gbJQgf-u #restaurantmarketing #pricingstrategy

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Exciting news from Craveworthy Brands As many of you know, I love to hint at our next big moves. Some might question this approach, but I believe it’s crucial to show my commitment to pushing our team and our dreams to new heights. Our latest acquisition is a game-changer, bringing Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover into our family! This strategic move will supercharge growth for our beloved Soom Soom and The Budlong Southern Chicken providing them an extraordinary platform to thrive. Additionally, it accelerates the expansion for Sigri Indian BBQ, offering immediate opportunities for two to three new locations. We’re also setting the stage to launch Costeño Rojo, testing a few locations to refine our concept further. But it’s not just about growth—it’s about people. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the fantastic teams at Taim and Hot Chicken Takeover. Their passion and innovation are exactly what we need to reach new heights. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together with this incredible talent. Stay tuned. We’re just getting started! #CraveworthyBrands #BusinessGrowth #Acquisition #FoodIndustry #Leadership #Innovation #RestaurantBusiness #Teamwork #Entrepreneurship #BrandExpansion

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A double earnings/sales beat, raised guidance in many meaningful categories, and new product new news for CAVA makes for a great quarter. In fact, very few other brands--only a handful-- are doing as well. A new brand regarded as cool by guests and employees and the right kind of executive management and food has been evident for years now. The IPO seems to have supercharged attention and momentum. The discussion about the calendar adjusted SSS and traffic and the two year stacked SSS number warrants a note. While the 10Q P&L necessarily focuses on change from prior year, we are almost certainly wrong focusing on that number. We as an industry can and must spend more time on 2 year and even five year stacked numbers for better MD&A. CAVA did today. Their disclosure changed the tone. Thank you Brett Schulman.

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🚀 The 2024 NRA Show in Chicago was epic! 🌟 Catch the highlights in our recap video and see how Action Marketing & Sales is revolutionizing foodservice in Texas and Oklahoma! 🔥👀 Huge thanks to our amazing partners for their support! 🤝❤️ Let’s keep the energy going! 💥 #NRAShow2024 #FoodserviceInnovation #ActionMarketing&Sales #ChicagoRecap #MarketingExcellence #SalesGrowth #TX #OK 🔥🚀💡📈

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Navigating Economic Indicators: Guidance for FSR and QSR Operators 1. Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) The Consumer Confidence Index measures how optimistic consumers are about the economy and their financial situations. High consumer confidence typically translates into more discretionary spending, which can benefit restaurants. Keep an eye on monthly reports from organizations like The Conference Board or the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. 2. Unemployment Rates Local and national unemployment rates can significantly impact restaurant traffic. Higher employment usually means more disposable income and higher dining out frequency. Monitor unemployment trends through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to gauge potential impacts on your customer base. 3. Disposable Income and Wage Growth Tracking disposable income and wage growth in your target market can provide insights into consumers' ability to spend on dining out. Look for reports from the BLS and local economic development organizations. Regions with rising incomes are more likely to support thriving restaurant businesses. 4. Food and Commodity Prices Rising costs of raw materials and food can squeeze your margins. Stay informed about commodity price trends through resources like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) or industry-specific reports. Adjust your menu pricing or sourcing strategies accordingly to maintain profitability. 5. Consumer Spending Trends Analyzing consumer spending patterns, especially in the food and beverage sector, can help you understand broader economic trends. Reports from the U.S. Census Bureau and market research firms like Nielsen. 6. Local Economic Indicators Pay close attention to local economic indicators, such as new business openings, real estate developments, and demographic changes. 7. Industry-Specific Benchmarks Comparing your performance to industry-specific benchmarks can help you gauge how well you're doing relative to your peers. Resources like the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) offer valuable insights into industry trends, sales, and customer traffic. 8. Customer Feedback and Reviews Regularly review customer feedback on platforms like Yelp, Google Reviews, and social media. Positive or negative trends in customer reviews can be an early indicator of changes in consumer preferences or satisfaction. Actively engage with your customers to understand their evolving needs and expectations. 9. Technological Advancements Stay updated on technological advancements that can improve efficiency and customer experience. Innovations in ordering systems, delivery platforms, and payment methods can help streamline operations and attract tech-savvy customers. 10. Strategic Partnerships and Networking Engage with local business networks and industry associations. These groups often share valuable insights and trends that can help you anticipate changes in the market. LinkedIn Chime in!

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Calling all Convenience Store Retailers! 📣 We're thrilled to share that the Pass-Through Pickup Pod™, propelled by Minnow™ (Minnow Technologies, Inc.), has been named a finalist in the Foodservice: Equipment category for CSP's 2024 Retailer Choice Best New Products Contest! 🎉 Here's how the game-changing Pass-Through Pickup Pod elevates c-store operations: 📱 Touchless Technology: Customers and delivery personnel can configure pickup times and easily access their reserved cubby with their smartphones. 🔥❄️ Flexibility & Versatility: Available in two different models — the MPP-8PT is for ambient holding only, and the MPP-8HPT can hold both hot and ambient items. ↔️ Dual Access: The pass-through design allows staff to load food from one side while customers retrieve their orders from the other, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing congestion. 💡 Smart Features: Powered by cloud-based software and compatible with third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and more. Cast your vote for the Pass-Through Pickup Pod through July 31! 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e6ViDnH2 🗳️

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