News & Updates from Tablebases.com
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Coffee's Carbon Footprint May Surprise You
Today, discussions of environmental impacts and carbon emissions are commonplace. We know that modes of transportation and production are contributors, but what about the simple pleasures in life? SeriousEats.com reports the findings of two studies, one in Costa Rica, the other in El Salvador, that examined the carbon footprint of coffee, from production on the farm all the way to the café where you order your non-fat sugar free vanilla latte with two pumps and no foam. Continue reading → -
Your Drink Menu May Be Missing Some Key Options
Recently a new consumer trend has been gaining traction in the US and UK, one that could be an unlikely cash cow for restauranteurs and bar owners. "Mocktails", virgin cocktails, have been around for some time, but were previously just liquor-free, sugar laden soda alternatives. Now, however, the beverages are gaining popularity and earning top spots on menus in all kinds of restaurant and bar establishments. Bartenders everywhere are honing their craft and exploring emerging liquors, and trying new flavors, many of which work incredibly well even in the absence of alcohol. While the non-alcoholic beverages may not keep your bar full on a Saturday night, they are an easy way to increase revenue and open up your drinks menu to a larger demographic. Continue reading → -
Yelper Found Guilty of Defamatory Review
In an unusual turn of events, a woman in Virginia has been charged with defamation because of negative reviews of a local contractor that she posted on Yelp and Angie's list. Recently, Virginia ruled that Yelp must reveal the identities of seven anonymous Yelp users, because they left negative reviews and the court could not verify (without their identities) whether or not they had ever actually been customers of the business in question. The judge ruled that if the reviewer never in fact conducted business with the establishment, then their review was based on false statements and therefore not protected by the first amendment because "there is no constitutional value in false statements of fact". Continue reading → -
Newsjacking, Successful Viral Marketing
Viral posts on social media outlets, when a Tweet or other social media post becomes so popular that it is widely shared on the internet, are nothing new. However, 2013 brought about a new kind of marketing tactic, called "Newsjacking". The method has other names as well, such as "moment marketing", and essentially it involves riding the wave of an event or topic that is seemingly unrelated to your business, to create a viral message. The purpose of such efforts are not to create instant or mass conversions for sales, but rather to drive traffic to your website or social media profile, spread your brands image and strengthen brand affinity. Continue reading → -
FBI Warns Retailers of POS Security Threats
Chances are, you've already heard about the cyber attack this past holiday season that resulted in hackers aquiring the credit and debit card data of 40 million Target customers, as well as the personal information of about 70 million of the companies customers. Well now the FBI and Secret Service are stepping up to warn retailers of the impending cyber security threats in 2014. The Chicago Tribune has reported that the FBI released a confidential report to retailers in the United States regarding Point of Sale security breaches. Continue reading → -
Updated: Celebrate Valentines Day with a Prix Fixe Menu
We've updated this post just in time for Valentines Day. A prix fixe menu is a great option to keep everything flowing smoothly in your restaurant on the busy romantic holiday. Do you find that your restaurant needs a little more, je ne sais quoi? Perhaps all you need is a little insurgence of creativity. A perfect opportunity to try something new and attract new customers is to have a prix fixe menu special. Most restaurants are accustomed to the idea of a fixed menu for special occasions such as Valentines day or Christmas, and in addition to those holidays, why not try adding the idea as a monthly tradition? Periodically offering customers a new dining experience can bring in the kind of repeat business that will keep you thriving, without having to put out a coupon or lower your prices. Read on for more tips on details to cover when organizing your prix fixe event. Continue reading → -
Google Acquires Patent for New Ads, May Offer You a Free Ride
Technology giant Google has its eyes on the restaurant industry, according to recent news. As Eater.com reports, the US Patent Office recently approved Google's request for a patent regarding some interesting new advertising technology that - should it ever come to be - could make some major waves in among restauranteurs. With the new service, businesses would have an opportunity to offer free or discounted rides to customers, essentially guaranteeing customer conversion. Continue reading → -
Should GMO Foods Require Special Labels?
New GMO labeling bills are currently being pushed in several states, with strong opinions on both sides of the argument. According to a recent article from Restaurant Business Online, Rhode Island and Hawaii are the latest states to consider mandatory labeling of food products that contain Genetically Modified crops or ingredients derived from GMO products. While they debate the pros and cons, more than two dozen other states are considering introducing similar bills. Two states, Connecticut and Maine, have already passed GMO labeling laws, but in order to prevent problems in the food industry, the measures will not take effect until more states officially adopt the cause. Continue reading → -
Creative Business Combinations in South Africa
Have you ever gone into your favorite café and wished that they also sold men's clothing? Or gone for a pastry and lamented the lack of motorcycle shop in the back? If that sounds familiar, you may want to consider relocating to South Africa. A recent New York Times editorial explores a Cape Town phenomenon that has been happening over the last several years, in which business savvy entrepreneurs are combining seemingly unrelated businesses under one roof. Continue reading → -
Novelty Architecture
Have you ever taken a trip down a long, lonely road and seen a juice stand shaped like an orange? Or a coffee house in the shape of a percolator? These types of buildings fall into a genre known as novelty architecture (also known as programmatic or mimetic architecture), a structural phenomenon that began as a uniquely American style. While the genre began in the early 1900s, some prominent examples are still visible across the country and novelty buildings are still being constructed even today. Continue reading →