Foodservice Updates

Foodservice Updates is designed to help foodservice operators keep on top of all the industry news and provides tips for keeping business running smooth. We endeavor to provide the latest tips and solutions to keep you in the know.

Video made the restaurant star

There is just something about online videos that make a person engage. A study from Animoto found that Facebook videos generate 10 times more comments than other kinds of posts. A separate study found that Instagram videos receive 38 percent more engagement than image posts. (This likely explains why Instagram, which originated as a place to share photos, has somewhat controversially been trying to reinvent itself as a video platform in recent years.) And every platform wants to be TikTok right now for its ability to motivate people to not only watch entertaining content but also share it with friends. Video should be a key part of your marketing strategy because it can help you build stronger connections between the people who prepare your food and those who enjoy eating it. And they can be very brief – Animoto suggests small businesses post a good number of videos that are 15 seconds in length – with a hook within the first few seconds. Consider the talents on your team and how you can showcase them in ways that connect with people. Have a creative chef? Have him share his favorite cooking hacks, or interesting takes on how to work with a food item in different ways (the #TortillaTrend on TikTok is one example). Do you have a dish that can be customized in dozens of ways? Share some diverse examples – or better yet, ask your viewers to vote for their favorite or share their own concoction. Do you plate your dishes in visually striking ways? Create a contest in which you challenge your viewers to share their own outrageous platings. Who knows? You might just become a viral sensation and give your restaurant a valuable boost in traffic.

What local organizations complement yours?

As the pandemic demonstrated, businesses gain strength from each other when they collaborate. Looking at your business, where are there opportunities for you to broaden your reach in the local community? As the warmer months approach and people are gathering over food at festivals, charity events and other occasions, think about how you can gain traction for your business through local partnerships. In addition to helping you strengthen word-of-mouth and online marketing of your business, your local partnerships can help staff morale and give them an opportunity to learn new skills and share ideas. Consider local wineries or breweries. Or businesses outside of the hospitality sector whose values complement those of your business or who offer experiences that can be enjoyed alongside the experience of enjoying your food. If you have a lot of local parents in your loyalty program, consider donating food or gift certificates to end-of-year school fundraising events. It isn’t always about stepping outside of your restaurant either. Consider offering apprenticeships to local high schools or colleges, partnering with your local chamber of commerce or with large employers in your neighborhood to offer meeting or event space, or setting up an ongoing food donation to support local people in need. You’re not just generating opportunities for your business – you’re also building a larger support system.

How to Maximize Your Menu with Less

If you feel like you need another set of hands in your kitchen, not only are you not alone, but Tyson Foodservice has a variety of ways to give them to you. With a full portfolio of ready-made products that exist to help streamline your menu and make back-of-house life a little easier, you can consider us your own personal prep squad.

From fully customizable to ready to heat and serve, our ingredient chicken and steak products deliver labor and time savings, better yield, and less waste. Additionally, these products are incredibly versatile for usage in applications across the board—from popular favorites to trendy flavor profiles. Click to see how easily these come to life in simple, and incredibly tasty, recipes.

How to Maximize Your Menu with Less