How-Tos
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Advertising & Marketing
How to Advertise Your Restaurant For Free
Starting a restaurant is an expensive undertaking. Even with all the necessary investments, many restaurants fail to attract enough customers to sustain their business. Inadequate or poor advertising is one of the main reasons for their downfall. For that reason, it's crucial to think out of the box
How to Make a Restaurant Website
In today’s business climate, digital marketing is key to expanding your customer base and growing. A strong online presence in the restaurant industry allows potential customers to find important information about your business easier. The most critical part of a strong online presence is establishi
Catering Marketing Ideas
Whether you’re just starting in the catering industry or are looking to expand your customer base, marketing is vital to the success of your catering business. Strong and effective marketing campaigns can bring in new clients and establish long-lasting partnerships, strengthening your catering busin
How to Capitalize on Sports Bar Marketing
There are a lot of tips out there that can help you run a successful bar, but sports bars present their own unique set of challenges and opportunities. By targeting the sports community, you can create a fun environment and a set of regular customers. But, how can you combat lulls between major spo
How to Customize Products at WebstaurantStore
Boost your brand recognition and customer base by adding customizable supplies throughout your establishment! Whether you’re outfitting your staff in personalized aprons or adding your logo to a custom coffee sleeve, customized products can provide an eye-catching and professional source of marketin
How to Get More Yelp Reviews
One of the most popular sites for finding, rating, and reviewing bars and restaurants is Yelp. And having a favorable score on Yelp can create a free advertising boost that can bring in more customers. That’s because, for many, the search for a new restaurant starts on the Internet, with 90% of cust
Bakery Management
How to Write a Bakery Business Plan
Starting your own bakery is no easy task. Many people have tried and failed to get their business ideas off the ground, or worse, their business flopped within the first year. So what sets a successful bakery apart from the ones that don't make it? A solid bakery business plan that can help you stay
How to Cut a Cake
Anyone who’s been in charge of cutting a cake knows that it can be a high-pressure situation. From ruining the appearance of your frosting to uneven sized slices, cutting a cake can sometimes be more stressful than actually making and decorating one. Luckily for you, we’ve provided an instructional
Bar Management
How to Become a Bartender
Becoming a bartender requires strategically placing yourself in a position where you can observe, learn from, and support an experienced bartender. By seeking entry-level positions at bars and restaurants, you can create an environment that allows you to acquire knowledge while earning a paycheck. W
How to Become a Sommelier
Sommeliers play a crucial role in the foodservice industry, specializing in the art of wine and beverage service. They are highly knowledgeable professionals who assist customers in selecting the perfect wine to complement their meals, enhancing the overall dining experience. For those passionate ab
How to Build a Restaurant Wine List
Many restaurants do not have the luxury of having a sommelier to help create a wine list. In fact, only a small number of restaurants have this privilege. This means that it is the responsibility of the restaurant owner or manager to choose wines that pair well with the menu. To run a successful win
How to Become a Certified Cicerone®
If you're familiar with sommeliers, the experts who help choose the perfect wine to complement meals, then you may be interested to know that the beer world has an equivalent. Allow us to introduce you to the Cicerone®, a certified expert in every type of beer. Cicerones® can achieve certification a
How to Saber Champagne
Sabering a bottle of champagne is a neat trick that can be very impressive to your guests. Opening a bottle of champagne with a saber is most typically done for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and New Year's parties. With our easy step-by-step guide to sabering a bottle of champagne
How to Set Up a Kegerator
After you've deliberated and chosen the best kegerator for your business, it's time to set up your beer dispenser and start serving fresh, cold beer! We've got step-by-step directions and an instructional video to help you through the process, allowing you to pour the perfect pint. Use our steps as
How to Pour the Perfect Pint
When it comes to the world of beer, knowing how to pour specific brews is essential to serving your guests the perfect pint. Whether you are pouring pilsners, stouts, IPAs, or Belgians, proper technique will maximize flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel while also producing the appropriate amount of head an
How to Set Drink Prices In Your Bar or Restaurant
Choosing bar drink prices can be a tricky aspect of running a bar. Too expensive, and you drive away customers. Too cheap, and you won't be in business for much longer. One of the most important aspects of a restaurant, and especially a bar, is to create a profitable and manageable list of cocktails
How to Serve Wine & Cocktails On Tap
Imagine a world where every cocktail you served tasted the same no matter which bartender made it, and every glass of wine was handled properly stayed as fresh as the first. You can stop imagining now because taps aren’t just for beer anymore! Serving wine and cocktails on tap is becoming a popular
Catering Tips
How to Use a Chafing Dish
Whether you’re starting a buffet or catering business, chafing dishes ensure your culinary creations stay at the perfect temperature. With their sleek designs and polished finishes, chafing dishes add a touch of elegance to your presentation, elevating the aesthetic appeal of your hot food display.
How to Cater Your Own Wedding
From the venue to the menu, weddings are expensive. According to The Knot’s data, the average couple pays $70 a head to feed their reception guests, bringing most wedding catering fees over $9,000. If you’re looking for an economical way to cater your wedding, a DIY reception menu is a potential sol
Coffee Shop Tips
How to Start a Coffee Roasting Business
House-roasted beans are becoming a fixture in local coffee shops. Taking single origin beans from far-flung locales and roasting them yourself is the perfect example of the glocalization movement. Glocalization is the call to adapt global and international products to the local contexts where they’r
How to Clean a Coffee Pot
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Serving coffee through a decanter or airpot allows you to provide large amounts of coffee at once for your guests, but after multiple uses, minerals and oil build up and can leave a residue. Not only does it look unsightly, but it can also le
How to Use a French Press
French press coffee is becoming one of the most popular coffee brewing methods in the food service industry. Coffee brewed in a French press offers bold flavors that guests at coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants have come to love. Learn more about this brewing style and follow our French press brew
How to Clean a Coffee Maker
Running hard water through your coffee equipment can cause mineral buildup and calcify 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 prolong its life span and impro
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
How to Use an Espresso Machine
If you’re looking to diversify the coffee drink 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 ca
Cooking Equipment
How to Clean a Meat Slicer
Meat slicers are crucial pieces of equipment for delis, grocery stores, and butcher shops, allowing you to slice meats and cheeses in a variety of ways. When you don't regularly clean your slicer, food residue can build up in different parts of the machine, creating an environment where bacteria can
How to Clean a Deep Fryer
Choosing the right oil for your fryer is only part of what makes fried food delicious. Keeping your deep fryer clean and your oil fresh can have a huge impact on the flavor of your appetizers and entrees. We’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of cleaning a deep fryer, including draining a
How to Clean a Charbroiler
Maintaining your charbroiler, along with any kitchen equipment, helps to foster a safe and sanitary work environment. Regular cleanings reduce residue and grease build-up, which can prevent grease fires. Plus, removing excess particles ensures your fresh foods aren't absorbing unwanted flavors. This
How to Cure Meat
With the recent increased popularity of charcuterie boards, there come new opportunities to provide your guests with a sophisticated assortment of flavors and textures. By curing your own meats, you can earn the most profits for your business, especially since many charcuterie items include inexpens
Food Prep
How to Make Sausage
From Argentinian asado to Texas-style BBQ, sausage is a popular food enjoyed around the world. It's a staple at Oktoberfest celebrations and pairs wonderfully with beer. You can elevate your menu and save money by making your own sausage. Keep reading for step-by-step sausage-making instructions and
How to Use a Meat Grinder
Meat grinders are convenient pieces of equipment that are most commonly used in settings like delis, butcher shops, and grocery stores. But they are also becoming more popular in restaurants as restaurant owners are finding that meat grinders can help cut food costs. Keep reading to learn why you sh
How to Make a Waffle Cone
Ice cream cones are a favorite treat for summertime or any time! But the one thing that makes this classic dessert even better is a house-made waffle cone. We carry all the tools and supplies you need to make your very own cones at your restaurant or ice cream shop. From batter mix to cone forming t
How to Open a Coconut
The coconut is a puzzling fruit that isn’t exactly the easiest to access. The shell of the coconut is so tough and thick that it seems impenetrable. However, there is a simple tool that’s specifically designed to open coconuts, so you can gain access to the meat of the fruit or even just drain the c
How to Make Cotton Candy
Pink, light, soft, and swirling high on a paper cone. You see it at the stadium, the concession stand, and the amusement park. Everybody has it and you want it. But how is cotton candy made? We're here to tell you how in just a few simple steps. Unsure whether or not your business needs cotton candy
Food Trucks & Concessions
How to Buy a Food Truck
Whether starting a food truck business or looking to upgrade your existing one, finding the right truck is integral to your success. However, there is more to the process than just picking one out and driving off the lot. There are several different ways to buy a food truck, each offering unique adv
How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan
Food trucks are at the forefront of influencing upcoming food trends and can be a very profitable business. But before you can start your own food truck business, you’ll need to plan out your concept and how you’ll fund that dream. Writing a food truck business plan helps you lay out the details of
How to Start A Concession Stand
Concession businesses have lower startup costs than both restaurants and food trucks, making them a great way for entrepreneurs to get their start in the foodservice industry. They’re also an ideal business model for operators who specialize in one niche menu item. While your concession stand’s loca
Leasing a Food Truck
Whether you’re just getting started in the food truck business or looking to expand your current operation, leasing a food truck is an excellent way to achieve your goals. Leasing opens up a variety of options and opportunities to grow your business and develop a successful business model. Below, we
How to Start a Food Truck
The popularity of food trucks has grown so rapidly over the past few years that some cities are now known for their food truck scene. What used to be considered a food risk has become foodie trend across the globe. If you are wondering how to start a food truck business of your own and what the cost
Everything You Need to Know About Catering Weddings with Your Food Truck
With their unique flavors, made-to-order selections, and ability to be mobile, food trucks are rapidly becoming one of America's newest guilty pleasures. Oddly enough, the popularity of this street food craze has also won over the hearts of many brides and grooms looking to add something unique to t
Industrial
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is an essential fire safety tool to keep in any workplace. For the safety of your employees and guests, it is required by law for any commercial business to keep a fire extinguisher readily available. Many states even require employees to be trained to use one. Below, we’ll inves
How to Install Casters on a Work Table
Kitchen work tables are an essential piece of equipment in foodservice establishments, and chefs use them to perform a variety of food prep tasks. While work tables provide an excellent space for kitchen prep, it's difficult to clean beneath a stationary table. That's where casters come in! It's eas
Pallet Stacking
Properly shipping goods to your customers comes with a lot of variables to keep in mind, like which corrugated box is best for orders, or how to ship your small business's goods at the best price. And when you're working in a distributing center, knowing how to stack a pallet to make sure the conten
Installation & Maintenance
How To Light a Pilot Light
If you're having trouble starting your cooking equipment, it may be due to an extinguished pilot light. A pilot light is a small natural gas burner that stays continuously lit so you can ignite a flame for your larger burner. With these instructions, you can learn how to light a pilot for several ty
How to Clean a Popcorn Machine
Popcorn machines are a major money-maker for concession stands, snack bars, and movie theaters. They produce food that's constantly in demand to make sure your customers can walk away from your business satisfied. But when you're finishing up after a busy day, you also have to make sure you clean yo
How to Clean an Ice Machine
Ice machines serve important functions in restaurants, bars, hotels, and a variety of other business settings. Even though ice makers are an important piece of kitchen equipment, many restaurant or business owners neglect to clean them regularly. This article will take you through a detailed, step-
How to Clean a Griddle
One of the best ways you can make your menu more diverse and appealing is by outfitting your kitchen with a commercial griddle. Whether you use it once a week or every day, it's very important to take care of your griddle to maintain cooking efficiency and prevent flavor transfer. Since there are ma
How to Season and Care for Your Grill Grate
Season Your Grill Grate in 4 Simple Steps!
Nothing quite says "summer" like the smell of barbecue wafting in the air. But before you fire up the grill, be sure to assess the condition of your commercial outdoor grill. Is food sticking to your grill grate? Is rust starting to form due to high-volume
How to Clean Refrigerator Coils
The coils on refrigeration equipment naturally accumulate dust and debris. Over time this buildup will cause your refrigeration system to work harder to maintain temperature and it can potentially lead to failures in other key components. If your refrigerator isn’t getting cold enough, or if it is u
Kitchen & Cooking Tips
How to Cook Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet
Cooking premier cuts of steak in a cast iron skillet offers several advantages. Cast iron distributes heat evenly across its surface and retains heat well, resulting in a uniformly cooked piece of meat. The intense heat it provides is needed for searing, helping to create a deliciously crisp crust w
How to Make Gyro Meat Using a Vertical Broiler
Gyros are a very popular Mediterranean dish that are easy for restaurants to make and serve. Vertical broilers make preparing gyros a simple task, as the sight and aroma of the cooking meat are a perfect way to boost impulse sales in businesses like concession stands. Gyros are also becoming an incr
How to Remove Rust
When it comes to rusted cookware, cast iron pans are the biggest offenders. But even some types of stainless steel can become corroded if they aren't cared for properly. Rust can ruin your pans and become a safety issue if you aren't careful. Learn how rust occurs, the best practices to remove rust,
How to Carve a Turkey
Carving a whole turkey seems like a messy task, but if you follow our simple steps it can be done quickly and neatly. It's a skill that comes in handy for any chef or foodservice professional, especially around the fall holiday season. Whether you're
catering for a large group or prepping roasted
How to Cook Fish on the Grill
When the weather gets warmer, customers start seeking out the smoky flavors of barbecue meals. Grilled fish and seafood provide a healthy protein alternative for your menu that your customers will love. However, it can be tricky to figure out the best grill temperatures for fish. In this article, we
Food Presentation Tips
If you own a food service business, you know that food presentation is crucial to marketing your restaurant on Instagram. Studies from Oxford show that a quality food presentation increases customers' perceived value of your meals, allowing you to raise your menu prices. Chefs tactfully arrange ingr
How to Deep Fry a Ham
If you want to try out a new entree this holiday season, a deep fried ham is a tasty alternative to traditional baked ham. Deep frying a ham is just like deep frying a turkey, and the process can be performed very easily with an outdoor fryer kit. Our deep fried ham recipe also includes a sweet and
How to Roll Sushi
Whether it’s raw tuna or deep-fried, tempura-battered shrimp, it seems like everyone has a favorite kind of sushi. This delicious Japanese food tradition, which utilizes ingredients like sushi-grade fish, seaweed, rice, and vegetables, has spread all across the world and is now such a common food tr
How to Spatchcock a Chicken
Cooking a whole chicken can make for a juicier, more satisfying end product. In order to get both the white and dark meat to cook evenly, you need to cut the chicken so it lays flat. This is a method called spatchcocking, and it's the best method for grilling or roasting a whole bird. To do this, al
Menu Design
How to Write a Menu Describing Your Food
The words used to describe the food on your menu are just as critical as food presentation. It can mean the difference in converting people browsing the internet for places to eat to new customers or in upselling your more expensive menu items. There are many words to describe food that help convey
Restaurant Menu Pricing
Menu pricing is the engine behind your company's success, as sales are your restaurant's sole source of revenue. When creating or updating your menu, it's important to keep in mind that pricing for food directly impacts your ability to fund essential aspects of your business, including equipment, u
Pizza & Sandwich Shop Tips
How to Use a Pizza Stone
There's nothing quite like freshly made pizza. However, whether you manage a restaurant or pizza shop, it can be hard to get the crust to crisp up just right without a pizza oven. One effective type of pizza equipment you can use to achieve that satisfying crust is a pizza stone, which is a flat, ha
Types of Pizza Ovens
If you're starting a pizzeria, the most important investment you'll make is your pizza oven. While individual models vary, there are five types of commercial pizza ovens: brick, conveyor, deck, convention, and countertop. These five types categorize models of varying sizes and capabilities. Understa
Restaurant Management
How to Become a Chef
Becoming a chef is a dream for many individuals with a passion for food and a desire to create culinary masterpieces. Regardless of whether you are just considering the start of your culinary journey or looking to advance your career in the food service industry, there are several steps you can take
Restaurant Security: How to Keep Your Business Safe
Restaurant security plays a significant role in the well-being of your customers, the safety of your staff, and the long-term health of your business. No matter what aspect of the foodservice industry you serve, there are several steps you can take to ensure a safe and secure workplace. We’ll invest
Guidelines for Training Restaurant Servers
Regardless of a restaurant's size or style, the serving staff represents the face of every dining establishment. These individuals have the most face time with your customers during their visit, and positive interactions can go a long way to ensuring those same patrons return. Hiring the right emplo
How to Start an Ice Cream Shop
Enjoyed by children and adults alike, ice cream is a classic summer treat. The industry has expanded in recent years thanks to emerging types of frozen treats, the growth of the mobile vending industry, and the normalization of pop-up and seasonal shops. For many, getting ice cream with friends and
How to Hire a Chef
Hiring a qualified chef for your restaurant is a challenge, but despite the obstacles, it's a vital part of your business's ability to succeed. A chef assists in training new staff, oversees cooking processes, develops menus, and provides input in marketing decisions that affect the restaurant. Belo
Restaurant Manager Duties: Hiring a Manager
Contrary to what their title implies, restaurant owners spend a lot of time away from their business. This kind of structure, known as absentee business, requires managing a restaurant even when the owner is unavailable. That's where a restaurant manager becomes important. But once you have your hir
How to Balance a Cash Register
Balancing a cash register is the method used to accurately account for all daily monetary transactions in a business. Good accounting and bookkeeping procedures begin with a balanced register. Typically, trustworthy employees who prove capable of exchanging cash in an efficient manner will operate t
How to Tie a Neckerchief
Neckerchiefs are a classic addition to chefs’ uniforms across all kinds of foodservice settings. Whether you are a line cook in a fast casual restaurant or a Michelin star chef, a neckerchief is a stylish and useful accessory. That being said, neckerchiefs can be tricky to tie, and the last thing yo
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 succes
Safety & Sanitation
How to Clean a Cutting Board
Cutting boards are an indispensable tool in any commercial kitchen. They're used to chop vegetables, fruits, and meats, making meal preparation more efficient. However, not all cutting boards are created equal. The two most popular types of cutting boards are plastic and wooden cutting boards. While
How to Clean a Kitchen Hood
Kitchen hoods are a key part of any restaurant, helping to ventilate your workplace and remove hazardous particles from the air. Because of their importance in the kitchen, keeping your hood systems in working condition is imperative to your safety and success. Along with regular maintenance checks,
How to Season a Wood Cutting Board
Wood cutting boards are a staple supply for any kitchen and, with proper maintenance, can last for years. But it’s important to practice proper wood cutting board care and keep your board well-seasoned in order to prevent bacteria growth or unwanted splintering. The wood seasoning process is simple
How to Prevent Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination occurs when harmful bacteria is transferred to foods, which can result in serious health risks like food poisoning or unintended exposure to food allergens. If your kitchen staff members know how to prevent cross-contamination by correctly storing and preparing food, you can save
Startup Tips
How to Open a Pizza Shop
Pizza shops are one of the most popular types of foodservice establishments in the country. They can be found in countless towns and are often a staple of local culture, with many geographical regions even having types of pizza that are unique to them. Whether you're new to the pizza industry or hav
How to Open a Restaurant
Opening a restaurant is the dream of many aspiring entrepreneurs. When managed correctly, they can be profitable and fulfilling ventures, allowing you to connect with your community and enjoy financial success. Whether embracing a traditional restaurant experience or experimenting with new food tren
How to Start a Donut Shop
Donut shops specialize in the preparation and sale of donuts. Donuts are considered one of the most popular baked goods in the United States, and donut shops can be found in towns across the country. They've grown to become a staple of many people's morning routines, providing a much-needed pick-me-
How to Start a Catering Business
Catering businesses are often an ideal, flexible alternative to opening and operating a restaurant. They allow you the creative freedom of running a foodservice operation without standard hours or a rigid schedule. Plus, catering companies often require less startup capital and financial risk than a
How to Start a Candy Business
The pandemic created a lasting shift towards grocery delivery and pickup for households across America. This new convenience has caused a ripple effect across many niche markets in the grocery sector, including a decrease in impulse buying candy in checkout lines. With fewer people getting their fix
How to Start a Vending Machine Business
Starting a vending machine business presents a unique opportunity due to its hands-off nature. When combined with a low cost of entry, high growth potential, and low risk, starting a vending machine business seems like a great business venture. Regardless of whether you’re an experienced business ow
How to Start a Grocery Delivery Business
With only so many hours in a day, many people look for ways to streamline their daily routine. Because of this, many services like food delivery and meal kits have expanded to make customers' lives more convenient. In particular, grocery delivery services have seen a substantial rise in popularity.
How to Start a Butcher Shop
Butcher shops have long been the place to get premier high-quality cuts of meat. Recent trends such as a growing interest in organic and sustainable meat options as well as a rising interest in charcuterie products have created new opportunities for butcher shops to widen their consumer base and exp
How to Start a Home Bakery
If you want to start a baking business but owning a storefront isn't for you, operating a home bakery can be a great alternative. Starting a home bakery is also a good option for those looking to get started in the restaurant industry, and bakers at home due to coronavirus.
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How To Host A Restaurant Soft Opening
You’ve successfully purchased a location and transformed it into a brand new restaurant. The space is furnished, the kitchen is stocked, and the menu is written. What’s next? How do you get your restaurant in business? If you plan to open a new restaurant, consider hosting a series of soft openings,
How to Start a Meal Prep Business
As people continue to fill their lives with busy work hours, hobbies, and family obligations, the time for creating weekday dinners becomes more difficult. A meal prep delivery business caters to those busy lifestyles, providing customers with delicious meal options that are quick and easy to prepar
How to Start a Brewery
Breweries are popular with a variety of customers, whether they're a casual beer drinker, a craft beer enthusiast, or just looking for a place to spend Friday night. As the demand and popularity of beer continues to rise, so does the interest in new breweries. If you’re considering opening a brewery
How to Open a Bar
Have you been dreaming of opening your own bar but you’re not quite sure where to start? You’ve probably thought about your concept and your name, but maybe you’re unsure about some of the finer details, like how to obtain funding and permits. Running a successful bar can be lucrative and rewarding,
Even the seasoned chef, bartender, barista, or manager has questions from time to time. No matter what you're looking to do, our how-to guides have detailed information to help you accomplish the task at hand. Many of our how-to guides feature instructional videos and helpful step-by-step photos on a variety of relevant foodservice topics. Whether you’re looking to pour the perfect pint at your bar or need advice on writing a business plan for your food truck, we've got you covered.
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