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50 Great Ideas

The top industry ideas we've spotted in the last year

50 Great Ideas

38. Tattooed promotions

 Aug. 08, 2018

When there is a new concept at the University of Connecticut, the dining team creates a temporary tattoo of the logo or name.

50 Great Ideas

41. Social tour for new sites

 Aug. 08, 2018

When convenience retailer Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries purchased a new site, its marketing leader Anthony Perrine went live on Facebook to show fans a “before” look that will be balanced wit...

50 Great Ideas

44. Modern play place

Aug. 08, 2018

If they’re going to dine in, consumers want an experience that transcends the food. The parent company behind tech-focused CaliBurger has built a “virtual playground” for its units, allowing diners to...

50 Great Ideas

47. Packaged to travel

Aug. 08, 2018

As IHOP expanded more into off-premise, it ran into a problem with its signature combo meals not traveling well—so the chain created a proprietary packaging system. The result: a multitiered container...

50 Great Ideas

18. High excitement over cocktails

Aug. 07, 2018

As cannabis becomes legal in more states, operators are finding clever ways to promote different menu items. Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, Calif., offers a Stoney Negroni cocktail with CBD oil and ...

50 Great Ideas

21. Parka prep

Aug. 07, 2018

At University of Michigan, the kitchen staff prepares salads and other perishables in the walk-in wearing parkas and hats supplied for them, then stacks the food on rolling carts to deliver to the din...

50 Great Ideas

24. Happy hour for kids

Aug. 07, 2018

Holiday Inn is bringing back its chocolate milk and cookies happy hour, luring in excited kids—and their parents’ dough. The hotel chain is working closely with its supplier to reinstate the promotion...

50 Great Ideas

10. Cocktail list to suit the guests

Aug. 07, 2018

Houlihan’s divides its restaurants into one of three tiers, then creates a drink menu tailored to the typical guest. Tier 1 guests care most about value, Tier 2 customers put equal weight on brands an...

50 Great Ideas

13. Tapping outside talent for specials

Aug. 07, 2018

Instead of having the in-house chef create ethnic-inspired specials, In Situ, in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, offers a rotating menu of signature dishes from 80 chefs around the world. The ...

50 Great Ideas

16. Keep a card handy

Aug. 07, 2018

To combat the tough labor market, TJ Schier, president of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches franchisee SMART Restaurant Group, passes out business cards to anyone, anywhere who has given superior custome...

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