December 22nd QSR Roundup: From Grubhub's Settlement to Chef Akunowicz's Culinary Journey and Restaurant Promotion Strategies

QSR news for Dec 22nd, 2024. We reviewed 21 QSR publications, 6 subreddits, and over 15 articles to bring you the latest. Estimated reading time saved (at 200wpm): 60 minutes. It'll take you only 7 minutes to catch up.

Grubhub Settles $25 Million Lawsuit Over Deceptive Practices

Grubhub has agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations of deceptive practices regarding delivery costs and misleading restaurant listings. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Illinois Attorney General accused Grubhub of:

• Misleading customers about total costs by hiding delivery fees.
• Blocking access to gift card accounts.
• Falsely advertising driver earnings.
• Listing restaurants without their consent.

As part of the settlement, Grubhub must now:

• Disclose true delivery costs upfront.
• Eliminate hidden fees.
• Secure consent from restaurants before listing them.

Almost all the settlement funds will go toward compensating affected consumers.

Source: Salon

From Waitress to Culinary Star: Chef Karen Akunowicz's Journey

Award-winning chef Karen Akunowicz rose from being a waitress to a celebrated culinary star in Boston. Known for her handmade pasta and Italian-inspired cuisine, Akunowicz has:

• Won a James Beard Award in 2018.
• Become a two-time fan favorite on Top Chef.
• Opened three restaurants: Fox & the Knife (2019), Bar Volpe (2021), and Fox & Flight (2023 at Logan Airport).
• Launched Fox Pasta Company, shipping pasta nationwide.

She emphasizes using fresh ingredients, even debuting a pasta room where guests can watch pasta being made. Akunowicz balances traditional cooking with innovation, highlighting the use of Hood cream for richness and balancing flavors with acidity.

Her signature dishes include:

• Spaghetti al Limone: Combining cream with lemon for a bright, crave-worthy flavor.
• Parsnip White Miso Soup: Balancing root vegetables with apples and cream.

After 26 years in Boston, she continues to thrive, inspired by her Italian roots and culinary journey.

Source: Salon

Creative Promotional Ideas to Boost Winter Sales

As winter approaches, some restaurant owners are seeing a decline in sales and are seeking creative promotional strategies. Here's a compilation of effective ideas:

• Focus on Special Nights: Instead of overwhelming customers with daily specials, concentrate on one or two nights with themes like:
  • Kids Night: Engaging families and building community ties. These events often generate buzz on local social media.
  • Themed Nights: Simple concepts like Taco Tuesday or Mark's Monday can attract customers without being overcomplicated.
  • Discount Promotions: Offering significant discounts on specific days, such as $3 tacos or discounted entrées, to encourage repeat visits.
• Email and Text Promotions: Build a mailing list to offer customers discounts for sign-ups and special birthday deals, effectively drawing them in.
• Trivia and Game Nights: Events like bingo night have been successful for some, fostering community spirit.

The key is to create simple, appealing promotions that excite customers and encourage community engagement without overcomplicating operations.

Source: /r/restaurantowners

Challenges with Square POS and UberEats Integration

Restaurant owners are facing significant issues with the Square/UberEats integration app:

• Disorganized Menu Categories: The integration does not organize menu items effectively, leading to a confusing customer experience.
• Random Display Order: Menu items appear in a random sequence, impacting customer ordering.
• Lack of Support: Owners are struggling to get assistance from UberEats, feeling that tech support is unhelpful.

Some alternatives and coping strategies include:

• Using separate tablets or platforms like Cuboh for better management of third-party delivery services.
• Considering other POS systems like Toast, though cost can be a deterrent.

There's clear frustration over the integration's limitations, prompting owners to seek more reliable solutions to manage online orders effectively.

Source: /r/restaurantowners

Navigating Jukebox Etiquette in Restaurants

A restaurant owner is dealing with a group of regular customers who repeatedly play the same song on the jukebox to annoy another team. Despite polite requests, the behavior continues, causing tension in the establishment.

Suggestions from the community include:

• Disabling or Removing the Jukebox: To prevent misuse and improve the atmosphere.
• Blocking Specific Songs: Limiting access to problematic tracks.
• Confronting the Behavior: Emphasizing that customer respect is crucial and disrespectful actions won't be tolerated.

Some point out that catering to troublesome regulars may negatively impact new customers and overall profits. Prioritizing the restaurant's atmosphere and the experience of all patrons is essential over appeasing a few.

Source: /r/restaurantowners

Effective Communication of Food Allergies in Restaurants

Communicating food allergies effectively is crucial for a safe dining experience. Diners with allergies, such as gluten and nuts, can take the following steps:

• Direct Communication: Inform servers about allergies immediately upon ordering.
• Preemptive Contact: Call the restaurant ahead to discuss allergen options; chefs may be willing to modify dishes if informed in advance.
• Involving Management: Ask for a manager to ensure thorough attention to allergy concerns.
• Be Specific: Clearly state all allergies to avoid misunderstandings, especially with common items that may contain allergens.
• Research Menus: Review the menu beforehand to facilitate discussions about potential allergens.

Restaurant staff can assist by:

• Providing Allergen Information: Offering printed lists of safe foods or menu items free from specific allergens.
• Avoiding Cross-Contamination: Being mindful of preparation practices to prevent exposure to allergens.

Overall, proactive and clear communication between diners and restaurant staff enhances safety and the dining experience for those with food allergies.

Source: /r/Restaurant_Managers

Gift Card Charge Confusion and Potential Scams

A customer noticed an unusual charge on their restaurant receipt for two gift cards, which was later discounted, raising suspicions of a potential scam. Insights from industry professionals suggest:

• Server Promotion Exploitation: Servers might ring up gift cards, use them to settle the bill, and keep promotional bonuses.
• Financial Impact on the Restaurant: While the customer isn't directly affected, the restaurant may suffer financial loss due to fraudulent activities.
• Importance of Managerial Oversight: Regular audits and monitoring discounts are crucial to prevent such scams and protect the establishment's bottom line.
• Customer Responsibility: Opinions vary on whether customers should inform management, but awareness can help businesses address and rectify issues.

This situation underscores the need for diligent management practices to prevent internal fraud, especially during promotional periods.

Source: /r/restaurant

Naming Challenges: The "Chi Chi" Dilemma

A new Chinese food brand considered naming itself "Chi Chi," but concerns arose due to potential negative implications:

• Association with Defunct Chain: "Chi-Chi's" was a Mexican restaurant chain that closed after a Hepatitis A outbreak, which could confuse customers.
• Slang Meanings: In Spanish, "chi chi" is slang for breasts, and it has various other connotations in different cultures.
• Trademark Issues: There might be legal ramifications due to existing trademarks associated with the name.
• Cultural Sensitivity: The name could unintentionally offend or alienate certain customer groups.

Suggestions include:

• Alternative Naming: Choosing a different name, such as "CiXi," which avoids negative associations.

It's important for brands to thoroughly research potential names to avoid cultural misunderstandings and legal issues.

Source: /r/restaurant

Handling Food Poisoning Concerns After Dining Out

A diner suspects they got food poisoning after eating at a fine restaurant and contemplates contacting the establishment. Key considerations include:

• Timing of Symptoms: Food poisoning symptoms often take several hours to days to manifest, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source.
• Documentation: Providing detailed information about what was eaten and when can help the restaurant investigate.
• Medical Confirmation: Seeing a doctor for a diagnosis can confirm if it was food poisoning.
• Restaurant's Response: While some establishments may be responsive, others might not offer substantial assistance without concrete evidence.
• Safety for Others: Reporting suspected cases can help prevent potential outbreaks.

Approaching the situation with clear communication and understanding can help both the diner and the restaurant address the issue appropriately.

Source: /r/restaurant

Critiquing Hank's Seafood: A Line Cook Operation?

A dissatisfied customer criticized Hank's Seafood in Charleston, SC, claiming the food quality was poor and suggesting there's no chef, just line cooks. The commenter preferred other local seafood restaurants like Hyman's and Fleet Landing, implying they offer better meals.

Responses to the post were mixed:

• Some found the critique irrelevant or resembling a negative Yelp review.
• Others didn't engage, indicating indifference to the complaint.

This highlights the range of customer experiences and the impact of online reviews on a restaurant's reputation.

Source: /r/restaurant

Miscellaneous: The Unidentified Restaurant in Georgia

A user sought help identifying a restaurant they visited in Georgia with minimal details. The community responded:

• Requests for More Information: Asking for specifics about location, cuisine, and features.
• Suggestions to Check Devices: Advising to look at phone location history or credit card statements.
• Humorous Comments: Some joked about the ambiguity, noting the challenge without more context.

The exchange emphasizes the importance of providing detailed information when seeking assistance from an online community.

Source: /r/restaurant

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