Cathy's Food Service Marketing

The beginning of Fall.  School should be in throughout all the nation.  Develop a working relationship with local schools - become involved in literacy promotion and offer coupons for books read.  Support/adopt local sports teams. 

If you have a local college/high school work with them for job placement/mentoring.  School kids are great for on call work - develop a group of people for per diem work - holidays are coming up and then you will have a well trained group of people to assist you as needed.  This allows you also to have a pool to replace from when you have an opening. 

If you have not started yet begin your holiday planning - plates, glassware, silverwear - check supplies, equipment, serving pieces, etc.  Review order guides/production sheets and adjust for holiday months.

Now is a good time to start promoting and taking reservations if you do catering/parties/meeting, etc.

Check with local schools for game/performance schedules.  Promote after or before meals with your facility for all of these types of events.  Look at your advertising budget and I think you will find that applying some of that to school brochures will yield value as I find that school families are very loyal and supportive to those businesses that support the schools, sports and performances of their students.

Work with local Real Estate firms to help promote your business.  Good firms offer general area information to new buyers and make sure you are listed there.  Now is a good time since before and after the holidays are good real estate periods.