Did You Know…

>> Between 2 to 4% of income is lost due to theft or mistakes at the cash register.

>> According to the USDA, hand washing is the number one defense against foodborne illnesses.

>>There are approximately 935,000 restaurants in the country - plus one, yours.

>>Coupons have a low success rate in generating repeat customers.

>>7 out of 10 restaurants are single-unit independent operations.

>>59% of restaurants offer televisions for customer viewing.

>>37% of Americans have used take out at tableservice restaurants.

>>The restaurant industry is the second largest employer. The U.S. Government is the first.

Helpful Tips

>> Add low calorie and vegetarian meals to the menu.

>>Start advertising before you open the doors. Contact your local newpaper food editor and request a write-up.

>> Subscribe to restaurant business magazines to learn how other restaurant owners cope.

>>Save money by designing and printing your own menus using specialty software like MenuPro.

>> A first year restaurant has a better chance of survival when concentrating on good food at a reasonable price. Save the fancy decor for later.

>>Customer Service, Customer Service, Customer Service...enough said.

>>Carefully choose a name for your restaurant. It should reflect the foods you serve and could mean the difference between success and failure.

>>Buy a couch for your office. Odds are you'll have nights that you may not have the strength to make it home. It will also be a good place when you need to get away when things get rough.