Prior to 1993, the Federal Tax deduction rate for business meals was set at a reasonable 80% of the total cost. Since then, the rate has been set at a lowly 50%, creating a vast distinction between all other business expenses which are set at 100%. Many small business owners and restaurateurs see this disparity as a cause for complaint.  
 
The National [...]

If you have dined out at any major restaurant chain in the last several months (think T.G.I.Friday’s, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, or California Pizza Kitchen just to name a few), you might have noticed a significant addition to their menus; the implementation of healthier options for which to choose. Coincidence? Not hardly. As part of the new Healthcare Reform Package just [...]

The current law pertaining to the usage of gift cards can vary depending on the store or restaurant’s policy where the gift card is being redeemed or purchased.  However, this freedom on behalf of the retailer and/or restaurateur in creating their own rules  is dangerously close to being revoked.  With the recent proposal for legislation by Senator Ellen Corbett, she hopes to mandate that restaurants be [...]

With the recent induction of President Obama’s new law to help unemployed workers receive jobs and in turn help decrease the unemployment rate, the new Federal HIRE Act was conceived. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, or HIRE Act, was created to allow for employers to receive incentives when hiring an employee that meets the specific eligibility requirements. 
The incentives [...]

Attempting to define consumers’ ideal dining experiences can present results as varied as the individual themselves. However, there does exist a universal set of standards for which fine dining is often measured. Among the more prominent, ambiance is most commonly noted. Why then, has there been a spike among restaurateurs abandoning the time honored notion that excessive noise creates a [...]

I remain continually amazed at how quickly technology can evolve over just a year or two. With a single stroke, a newly conceptualized, multi-media phenomenon is bred. Two years ago, if you had asked someone what “tweeting” was, they’d have probably looked at your sideways and told you it’s the sound a bird makes. [...]

It’s time to start deciding where to treat your Valentine to dinner this Sunday, Feb. 14th!  To make the decision a little easier, we’ve posted a few ideas sure to please the most discriminating of palates!

Left Bank: From Jan. 7th- 14th, sample all the delicious aphrodisiac foods! Options such as Artichokes and saffron, dark chocolate and [...]

 
 With the New Year gaining fast momentum, many restaurateurs are utilizing 2010 to implement significant changes to soften their bottom line.  In years prior, restaurant owners may have been more inclined to purchase without searching for savings; vendors, food choices, equipment purchases, and even things such as rent. However, with the influx of the economic downturn, such [...]

The Holiday season means many things to many people, but for restaurateurs it is all about hosting the Holiday Party!  Hosting Holiday parties at your restaurant can be a fantastic way to boost both your brand and your cash flow.  However, in order to reap the financial rewards you must be sure to manage these [...]

With the current economic conditions, the restaurant industry has been struggling with declining check averages and high commodity prices, especially the fine dining business. So how can a restaurateur balance the desire to serve the best cuisine while also maintaining a tightly run restaurant? The most important thing to remember as a restaurat owner, is that you are first and foremost a buisness operation that is in need of strong financial management.