Recently Published
Preparing for a Health Inspection
Health inspections can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but it’s important to remember that health inspectors don’t come knocking to shut down your operation. Health inspections are held to make sure food products are handled and prepared according to state and local regulations to protect the public. Once you understand the food codes and have a plan in order for cleaning your restaurant, health inspections become a routine experience. What to Know Before a Health Inspection Health inspections are usually conducted between 1 and 4 times a year, so it is important that your operation is always ready. Before your health inspection, it is important to know about the various regulatory agencies that create and enforce the food safety
Different Types of Beer
With over 3,000 craft breweries in the United States, it’s safe to say that craft beer is bigger than ever. Whether your establishment already offers a dozen beers on tap or you’re thinking about adding a new beer service, brush up on your knowledge with our guide to the different types of beer. Learn everything about the styles of beer you serve, from proper serving temperature and glassware to the best food and cheese pairings, so you can please even the most knowledgeable connoisseur. Different Styles of Beer Click on the links below to learn more about your favorite style of beer: Pale Lager and Pilsner Dark Lager German Bock Brown Ale Pale Ale India Pale Ale Porter Stout Belgian-Style Ale Wheat Beer Wild & Sour Ale Specialty
How to Become a Certified Cicerone®
Over the past 30 years , the number of breweries in the United States has grown from a depressing 89 prior to 1980 to over 2,800 today. At least 98% of today's operating breweries are classified as craft brewers. With a 14.3% dollar share of the total U.S. beer market, that's an estimated $14.3 billion, it's safe to say that craft beers are a rapidly growing segment of the beverage service industry. Along with the explosion of craft beer and changing American taste buds comes the need for educated, knowledgeable beer service professionals who not only have a grasp of the 140 + beer styles, but who also understand how to serve, store, brew, and pair those various beer types. For years, people with this kind of expert knowledge were referred
Recent Blog Posts View Blog
July 2017 WebstaurantStore Coupon Code Update
This July Celebrate Savings Check out our July specials! From Summertime items like plastic margarita glasses and krazy straws, to kitchen staples like steamtable pans and ingredient bins, chances are that an item you need is on sale! Also on special is our brand new Gold Visions gold colored plastic flatware--just the thing to dress up your outdoor event. Sign up for our mailers and get hundreds more specials all month long sent directly to your email! Sign up to see these and 100 s more items JOIN Use Coupon Code: JULYSAVE Gold Visions Plastic Flatware reg. $37.99 400/Case $34.99 Shop Now Carnival King 16" Crepe Maker reg. $259.99 Each $239.00 Shop Now Zap N Trap Insect Trap Wall Sconce reg. $44.99 Each $39.99 Shop Now Arctic Ice Machine
How to Host a Fundraiser Night in Your Restaurant
As a restaurant or bar owner, you may get requests from local groups who want to host a fundraiser night at your venue. Hosting a fundraiser night can be an excellent opportunity for your restaurant or bar to give back to the community and create some regular customers. If you're on the fence about hosting these types of benefit nights at your establishment, then take note of some of the following tips, and see if hosting a fundraiser night would be a good idea for your restaurant or bar. Why Host a Fundraiser Night? Hosting a fundraiser night in your bar or restaurant is a big commitment. Not only do you have to set aside a certain amount of time for the event, but you may also have to create special menu items and advertise your event. Bu
5 Drinks of Summer
If you're looking to revamp your restaurant, resort, or nightclub's drink menu, our list of five of the most delicious drinks of summer is a great place to start. These cocktails blend a variety of fresh herbs and fruits with boozy favorites like gin, vodka, tequila, and wine for the ultimate blend of summery flavors. From caipirinhas to sangria, these five drinks of summer are crowd pleasers that will also raise your establishment's profits. Keep reading for recipes and directions! 1. Caipirinha Brazil's national drink, caipirinhas combine lime and a sugarcane spirit called Cachaca for a sweet and tart concoction your guests will love. Caipirinha Ingredients Yield: 1 cocktail 1/2 quartered lime 1 tsp. white sugar 1 1/2 oz. Cachaca Directio
Restaurant Management View More
Top 5 Reasons to Join Your State Restaurant Association
Whether you’ve owned a restaurant for a few months or several years, you will have to deal with the ever-present challenges of the foodservice industry, from training new staff on food safety practices to figuring out health care laws. Luckily, your state's restaurant association is there to help you navigate this fast-paced field. This article will discuss the benefits offered by state restaurant associations, and why all restaurant owners should take advantage of the service their association offers. What is a State Restaurant Association? State restaurant associations serve as advocates for foodservice and hospitality businesses. Aside from the fact that they work with local governments to block legislation that could be harmful to
Restaurant Hours of Operation
Owning a restaurant means making daily decisions that very well may make or break your business. From where you'll be located to what will be on your menu, exactly who will run your restaurant to where the start-up funds will come from, the questions you'll face can get pretty intense. One of the most important decisions to make regards your restaurant's hours of operation. If you're open too little, you may miss opportunities to profit; if you're open too often, your establishment may sit empty for periods of time. When determining your restaurant's hours of operations, it's important to consider these 5 questions. 1. What day parts do you wish to serve? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? All of the above? Some of the above? The answer to this q
Tip Pooling Laws
While customary in most service environments, tipping, and more specifically, the dispersion of tips, is often not as black and white as your patrons would expect. Between tip pooling and tip sharing, employee agreements often ensure that supporting staff receive their fair share of each tip earned in the establishment. But what is "tip pooling" and "tip sharing," and is it legal? This article will cover all you need to know to ensure your business remains in compliance while financially compensating staff accordingly with earned tips. Is It A Tip? Before you can attempt to understand tip pooling laws, it's important to understand what can and cannot be considered a "tip." A tip, or gratuity, is money given by a customer to an employee for
How to Make A Restaurant Schedule
A functional dining room service relies on a logical staff schedule. Before you spend any time making your employee schedule, it’s important to know some of the basics first. Factors like tipping, weekly hours, time off, overtime, and laws for employing minors all come into play when making a successful restaurant schedule. While it can seem overwhelming, there are a few helpful things to keep in mind that will make the process much easier. What are Tipped Employees? A tipped employee is someone who mainly earns their wages through tips. While there are many professions where tipping is customary, servers and bartenders are among the most common. Tipped wages are calculated differently, depending on your state. Some states are required to p
Coffee Shop Tips View More
How to Make Latte Art
When it comes to creating specialty coffee beverages, the delicious taste is only half the appeal. In order to step up your coffee game and really impress your guests, it’s time you learned to make latte art. Not only will this bring a personal touch to each drink your baristas create, but it’s also a great way to draw in new customers. Thanks to our instructional video and step-by-step directions, you and your staff can easily learn how to make latte art. Step-by-Step Instructions How to Steam Milk Since steamed milk is a key ingredient in creating a delicious latte and beautiful latte art, it's necessary that you know how to froth milk. While it may seem like a simple task, it can be tricky to learn how to do properly. Before you begin wi
How to Use an Espresso Machine
If you’re looking to diversify the beverage options in your cafe or restaurant, then it’s time you invested in an espresso machine . Espresso is a form of coffee that is finely ground and then brewed with a small amount of nearly boiling water. Each shot of espresso contains the same amount of caffeine as the standard-sized cup of coffee, which results in it having a stronger taste. To offset the bitterness, milk can be added to the espresso to make popular drinks like cappuccino, latte, and macchiato. Since using an espresso machine can be an overwhelming task, we’ve provided step-by-step directions and an instructional video, so you can easily learn how to use an espresso machine to make a simple shot of espresso. Espresso Terms If this i
How to Clean a Coffee Maker
Running hard water through your coffee equipment can lead to mineral buildup and calcification on your heating elements. If you’re looking to get the most out of your commercial coffee maker , then it’s important to make sure it’s properly cleaned. Cleaning your coffee maker will not only prolong its life span, but it will also improve the taste of your coffee. You should be cleaning and deliming your machine at least once every six months, however if the water you use is extremely hard, you may need to clean it every month. Follow our video and step-by-step instructions to get your coffee maker back in top shape, and don't forget to set up a water filtration system for your coffee equipment to cut down on mineral buildup in the future. Ste
Coffee Brewing Methods
Java, Joe, liquid energy, and brew are just some of the terms used to describe one of the world’s most highly consumed beverages - coffee . One of the most important factors that effects the taste of coffee is the way in which you brew it. Understanding these coffee brewing methods helps to build the foundation for some of the most popular coffee drinks offered in cafés and coffee bars, and will greatly improve your staff’s knowledge and success! Coffee Brewing Methods Once coffee beans have been harvested and roasted, it’s time to convert them into a liquid. The most popular methods of doing this include using a drip coffee maker, French press, or espresso machine. Understanding these three processes is essential when running a successful
How to Make French Press Coffee
You've finally purchased that French press coffee maker you keep hearing everyone talk about. You take it out of the box, and suddenly, you have no clue how to brew a cup of coffee! Before you can start serving freshly pressed coffee in your café, restaurant, or diner, it’s important to train yourself and your staff how to make French press coffee. Don’t worry, it’s not hard! Drip Coffee vs. French Press Making French press coffee is rather simple, and coffee drinkers will love the rich, bold flavor this style of brewing extracts. But first, it’s valuable to understand why using a coffee press vs. a coffee maker in your establishment makes all the difference. A coffee connoisseur can tell you that there is a world of difference betwee
How to Clean a Coffee Pot
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, so it only makes sense that restaurants, cafes, catering businesses, hotels, and other establishments want to serve it to their customers and guests. After multiple uses, however, minerals and oil from the coffee builds up and can leave a residue in the bottom of your decanters and airpots that not only looks unsightly, but can also lead to bad-tasting drinks. In order to keep your coffee tasting great, you need to thoroughly clean out your coffee pots and dispensers. Just follow these instructions and you can get back to making rich, delicious coffee for your customers. Step-by-Step Instructions How to Clean a Coffee Decanter 1. Shake the liquid coffee pot cleaner according to the i
Bar Management View More
Types of Whiskey Glasses
With whiskey’s recent comeback in American popularity , it is important to know how to serve this oaky spirit to best showcase its richness and versatility. Are you unsure of when to use a high ball glass instead of a rocks glass? Are you confused by the difference between a snifter and a Glencairn glass? Or, are you simply trying to learn what the many different types of whiskey glasses are called? Keep reading to familiarize yourself with all kinds of whiskey glasses and their individual benefits. 1. The Old Fashioned (or Rocks) Glass Rocks Glasses from $11.42 For drinking whiskey neat (no ice) For drinking whiskey on the rocks (with ice) For drinking whiskey in cocktails An Old Fashioned or rocks glass is the standard choice for se
Maintaining Your Beer Tap System
Whether you're offering customers the region's most popular craft brews or appealing to the masses with nationally-recognized macrobrews, properly maintaining your commercial beer tap system is vital to getting the most out of your investment. Understanding and maintaining a few key aspects of your beer tap system can go a long way toward preventing some of the common problems associated with serving draft beer. This allows customers to enjoy the product as the brewmaster intended and allows you to enjoy maximum profits! Temperature According to Anheuser-Busch , 90% of all draught problems are temperature related, so the importance of maintaining proper temperatures can't be overstated. If your beer is stored too cold, it could go fla
Top Eight Tips for Running a Successful Bar
Whether you manage a pub or nightclub, the challenges of running a successful bar go far beyond just keeping customer glasses full. From inventory management to liability issues, we'll help you learn how to run a bar with tips from established food service resources and our in-house product experts. Whether you operate a taproom or tavern, swank cocktail lounge or neighborhood watering hole, we've got the tips and tricks to keep your bar up and running. 1. Stay Well Stocked Countertop Condiment Holders from $10 The last thing you want on a busy bar night is a shortage of your patrons' favorite beverages. But stocking your bar goes far beyond just filling your back bar cooler or refrigerator with beer, liquor, and wine. Keep track of y
How to Hire a Bartender
A good bartender is essential to your restaurant business. One part salesman, one part drink expert, and one part friend to customers, it's important to find a bartender with the right balance of all three. They also need to be savvy of restaurant management issues ranging from inventory to alcohol safety issues. Read on for five traits to consider when hiring a bartender. 1. Evaluate Experience and Work History When hiring a bartender , look for experience. A recent graduate of bartending school probably does not have the hands on experience needed to keep up with drink orders on a busy weekend night. Consider hiring recent grads as bar backs, or giving them shifts on slower nights. Now on to the experienced bartender. Years of experience
Eco-Friendly Tips View More
Top 10 Energy Conservation Tips for Restaurants
With the cost of energy rising and some natural resources dwindling, restaurants need to consider adjusting their energy consumption and think of becoming more eco-friendly. Going green can seem pretty daunting for restaurant owners who haven't learned energy-saving practices, but many food service professionals have been adopting conservation methods for the past decade and have drastically cut their energy use and expenses. Here, we've outlined information on the significance of reducing energy use as well as some energy conservation tips that will help your business lower costs and help the environment. Benefits of Going Green While some restaurant owners may see energy conservation as an obstacle or a nuisance, the benefits of going gre
Restaurant Composting
Do you want your restaurant to become more environmentally friendly or more involved with the local community? Even if you just want to give your establishment's marketing plan a boost, restaurant composting might be a great solution. According to the EPA, 60-80% of garbage produced by restaurants was food waste. By composting you can reduce your environmental impact by keeping waste out of the landfill, lower your waste hauling and disposal costs, and find a whole new way to connect with the people in your community! What is Composting? Composting is the process of breaking down food scraps and other organic waste like grass clippings and certain paper and cardboard items using heat, moisture, agitation, air-flow and sometimes even earthwo
Ways to Reduce Food Waste in Your Restaurant
Running a foodservice operation requires a lot of thinking. You have to order ingredients on time, balance your finances, and manage your staff amidst a world of other concerns. As important as it is to consider what food you’re making, it’s equally important to think about what happens to food that’s left uneaten. According to Feeding America , America produces an estimated 70 billion tons of food waste each year. This is something your customers care about, as demonstrated by food waste statistics. A study by Unilever , revealed that 72% of U.S. diners said that they care about how food waste is handled. 47% are concerned enough that they would be willing to spend more money to eat at a place that actively tries to reduce its food w
Restaurant Recycling
It is estimated that just one full service restaurant can create over 2,000 pounds of total disposed waste a week. If this fact is alarming to you, perhaps it’s time to consider how your food establishment can recycle all that waste. While you may think that the steps to becoming an eco-friendly restaurant are time consuming and costly, you’d be surprised at how easy it is and how much money you can save. Follow the recycling program ideas below to get your restaurant headed in a greener direction. What Materials Can Your Restaurant Recycle? Before you begin your restaurant’s recycling program, find out what materials your current waste management provider recycles and how they need to be separated. Once you figure out what can be recycled,
Fluorescent Lighting Recycling Guide
If your food service operations are using fluorescent lighting of any kind, including the newest compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), both you and your employees should be properly recycling burned out lamps and bulbs. Disposal restrictions are becoming more strict, and for a good reason; these fluorescent lamps and bulbs contain mercury, a toxic chemical which is used to emit light. When fluorescent lamps and bulbs are recycled, the contents ( including mercury, phosphor powders, glass, and other materials) are all safely sorted out. This sorting not only creates opportunities to reuse the contents of a burned out lamp or bulb, it also substantially decreases the chances of the mercury contaminating landfills and waterways.
Green Disposable Dinnerware Guide
As more loyal customers are demanding a smaller carbon footprint from their favorite chain or local restaurant, the foodservice industry, in turn, is focusing heavily on going green. Running a sustainable and eco-friendly establishment is now, more than ever, a new standard, not just a distinguishing niche for marketing. Whether you run a takeout restaurant, concession stand, catering business, or you’re just throwing a party, it’s important to supply your customers or guests with biodegradable and compostable products. From plates and bowls to platters and trays, we have something for every market that’s devoted to going green!
Catering Tips View More
Catering Menu Ideas
Now that you've covered how to start a catering business and taken advantage of free catering invoice templates , it's time to figure out how to make your catering menu. Take your company to the next level with some original catering recipes that will blow your guests away. Follow our tips below to learn how to create the perfect catering menu for any event! Some Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Catering Recipes Ingredient Availability —some exotic recipes and ingredient pairings are perfect on your palate—but not on paper. Fresh, exotic, or otherwise rare foods are more expensive and may need to be imported and ordered far in advance. This is an added expense and time commitment that may take a toll on profits and increase cost per pla
Free Catering Invoice Templates & How To Price Them
We've already provided a starter guide on How to Start a Catering Business . Now it's time to learn how to write a proposal that will outline your catering prices for your clients! By mapping out anticipated catering costs beforehand, you will avoid the hassle of disputed fees between yourself and your customers. This allows your clients to know exactly what type of service to expect before the event, and in turn, allows you to adequately prepare. Additionally, keeping a copy of all invoices helps you stay organized for income tax purposes. Templates: To help you get a head start, we've created a catering invoice that you can download for use! Choose from blue, gray, green, and yellow invoice templates. Simply click to download. Contact Inf
Chafing Fuels Guide
Do you ever wonder what is chafing fuel , or which type of chafing fuel you should be using? The right chafing fuel can increase profits and reduce accidents caused by improper use. From the diverse types of fuels to the diverse types of applications, this chafing fuel guide will help you to determine which fuel is best for your specific food service application.
Folding Chairs Buying Guide
With dozens of different materials, colors, features, and styles to sift through, there's a lot that goes into shopping for folding chairs for your business. In the end, though, the most important thing is that you consider your application when making your selections so you get something that's suited for your needs. We can help you there! This guide will outline the various types of folding chairs available to you so you can make an informed decision and maximize your investment.
- Topics 861
- Restaurant Management 69
- Bar Management 52
- Catering Tips 26
- Bakery Management 39
- Food Trucks & Concessions 50
- Advertising & Marketing 20
- Eco-Friendly Tips 9
- Facility Layout & Design 23
- Coffee Shop Tips 30
- Installation & Maintenance 22
- Janitorial & Pest Control 27
- Safety & Sanitation 54
- Startup Tips 64
- Menu Design 6
- Kitchen & Cooking Tips 33
- Hospitality Management 19
- Pizza & Sandwich Shop Tips 46
- Smallwares 29
- Food Prep 58
- Tabletop Items 13
- Disposables 18
- Calculators & Tools 6
- Consumables 23
- Warewashing & Laundry 16
- Cooking Equipment 55
- Food Storage & Refrigeration 30
- Beverage Equipment 24
- See More
- Resource Type 384
- In-Depth Articles 99
- Buying Guides 177
- How-Tos 63
- Product Reviews 45
Subscribe now for great deals and industry tips! Sign up for our mailing list to have weekly discounts and industry knowledge sent right to your inbox.
From Our
At WebstaurantStore we love sharing our fun! Check out some of our weekly Instagram posts! We might even have a recipe or two to share!
View Posts
Ooo-ing and ahh-ing over these perfect place settings put together by @studiocultivate featuring our palm leaf Eco plates! Stunning job! 📷 by @aliciawhitephoto #placesetting #tabletop #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyproducts
Get your taco on. #tacotuesday #tacotime #fishtacos #margaritaontheside
What are you chowing down on on this meatless Monday?
What what?? Mason jar sale?? Yes! Use coupon code JUNESAVE this month to save on our Core 16oz mason jars with handlles. And if you really need a reason to help convince you of their awesomeness and versatility, then check out our #linkinbio on ways to incorporate mason jars into your restaurant!
The Leading Distributor of Restaurant Supplies and Equipment
Based in Lancaster, PA, WebstaurantStore is the largest online restaurant supply store serving food service professionals and individual customers worldwide. With thousands of available products and over 5.5 million orders shipped, we have everything your business needs to function at its best. Over the years we have expanded our selection of wholesale supplies and commercial equipment to include healthcare, educational, and hotel supplies.
Our focus is your convenience – order online from your laptop, desktop, or smartphone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our fast shipping, low prices, and outstanding customer service make WebstaurantStore the best choice to meet all of your professional and food service supply needs.