My life changing career move begins Monday

[yell01]

Originally Posted by GS Ragtop

Congrats - what a great change of pace!

Hope you still have time for your lake house -- you still need to stop by and spend a morning Salmon fishing with me on Lake Michigan!

The timing of buying it is actually perfect. We weren't at the lake much this summer as my kids were in baseball and softball. They both made their respective full time travel teams that they tried out for so we won't be up there much this summer either.

Originally Posted by Olustee bus

Really impressive menu and beer selection.

I don't know much about the restaurant business but I do understand it can be tough sometimes. Having said that, I believe that there is a way to not make it so tough. I think an important thing is to pay your manager(s) well and have a system to control the cash, etc.

Best of luck.

I've heard all the negatives about how hard it is, long hours, 60% fail in the first 3 years, etc...

As I've been in there a lot lately I understand how at first you're there all the time as you can't afford to pay anyone to run it and you have to be there all the time. It's been open almost 5 years now and they went through all the difficult parts already and have it down. The GM gets paid very well and there are a couple of girls who are assistant manager that come in when needed. I went in and talked to them last night and if I bump them a few bucks an hour they'll be willing to work more shifts.

[Barn Babe]

Congratulations and best of luck to you!

[CertInsaneC5]

You need to get some 3floyds in that bar. That would make me take a road trip for sure. Zombie Dust FTW!!!

[Frizzle]

Good luck

As others have said... employee theft is large in a bar/restaurant.

I got a friend who bought a place in NC near lake norman. They had a POS system where each user enters a code to make orders purchases ect.. Eventually staff figured out some of the manager codes and started stealing meals and drinks. They went to a card access system. Swipe the card instead of entering a 4 pin password/code.

Also if you offer craft beer.. yuengling, Leinenkugel, Sam Adams, Blue Moon are NOT i repeat NOT craft beer! Nothing pisses me off more when I go into a bar and they list these beers in the craft section. Its like saying here is our premium wine selection and its all from boxed wines.

[yell01]

Originally Posted by CertInsaneC5

You need to get some 3floyds in that bar. That would make me take a road trip for sure. Zombie Dust FTW!!!

Originally Posted by Frizzle

Good luck
Actually, they have Zombie Dust. It was on the board last night and I heard people ordering it.

I'm figuring out a way to use a video board instead of the chalk boards they update with the new beers so I can update the boards and have it update on FB and other places as well.

As others have said... employee theft is large in a bar/restaurant.

I got a friend who bought a place in NC near lake norman. They had a POS system where each user enters a code to make orders purchases ect.. Eventually staff figured out some of the manager codes and started stealing meals and drinks. They went to a card access system. Swipe the card instead of entering a 4 pin password/code.

Also if you offer craft beer.. yuengling, Leinenkugel, Sam Adams, Blue Moon are NOT i repeat NOT craft beer! Nothing pisses me off more when I go into a bar and they list these beers in the craft section. Its like saying here is our premium wine selection and its all from boxed wines.

They have swipe cards already. Nothing gets discounted/credited without manager/owner approval.

[Dave]

Congrats and good luck Frank!

Can you snowmobile to work in the winter?

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by yell01

.................... I went in and talked to them last night and if I bump them a few bucks an hour they'll be willing to work more shifts.

That would be money well spent

[yell01]

Originally Posted by Dave

Congrats and good luck Frank!

Can you snowmobile to work in the winter?

I probable could. If we get a big blizzard again this year I'll deliver food on my snowmobile to customers.

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

That would be money well spent

They're both great girls and the reason they stepped back was money. They're willing to work more if they're paid better. I look at it as big picture If I was to pay them an additional $5/hr. that's $70-$80/day. If they're picking up a couple days a week it well worth it as the main manager would be there anyway getting paid.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by yell01

I probable could. If we get a big blizzard again this year I'll deliver food on my snowmobile to customers.

If it works out you can do this, let the local news know. Free publicity

Area business helps stranded folks eat

Originally Posted by yell01

They're both great girls and the reason they stepped back was money. They're willing to work more if they're paid better. I look at it as big picture If I was to pay them an additional $5/hr. that's $70-$80/day. If they're picking up a couple days a week it well worth it as the main manager would be there anyway getting paid.

The increase will benefit both them ( in their attitude ) and you too.

[yell01]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

If it works out you can do this, let the local news know. Free publicity

Area business helps stranded folks eat



The increase will benefit both them ( in their attitude ) and you too.

[Fastguy]

Originally Posted by LATB

If you get in trouble. Here's the go to guy:

Jon Taffer | Official Website of Jon Taffer

They use a service called Bevintel, which just changed its name to Sculpture Hospitality.
It is an audit system that monitors each bartender. A buddy of mine owns a franchise and the stories he tells me would make you fall out of your chair.

[Admiral Blue]

WTH, Frank!? Why didn't you do this when I lived 5 minutes down the road from there?

Good for you for taking this giant leap! All the best to you. I hope that the ventu is a success and that, more importantly, you have fun doing it.

I have an idea for you. I will try to make it out there in the next few weeks--but I am buying my own drinks!

Jeff

[erickpl]

A wait longer than an hour will have people walking. You're 100% on that. If you can promise times of 30 minutes max and have them seated in less, even better.

A few of our favorite spots usually have long waits stated of up to 45 minutes, but the wait is usually about half that - 15 to 20 minutes.

If you can do that consistently and still offer great food/drinks/value, you'll win even more customers as word of mouth spreads about how the new management is doing it right.

Best of luck to you!

[yell01]

Originally Posted by Admiral Blue

WTH, Frank!? Why didn't you do this when I lived 5 minutes down the road from there?

Good for you for taking this giant leap! All the best to you. I hope that the ventu is a success and that, more importantly, you have fun doing it.

I have an idea for you. I will try to make it out there in the next few weeks--but I am buying my own drinks!

Jeff

That sounds good!! I had on idea you live around my area. How long ago was that?

Originally Posted by erickpl

A wait longer than an hour will have people walking. You're 100% on that. If you can promise times of 30 minutes max and have them seated in less, even better.

A few of our favorite spots usually have long waits stated of up to 45 minutes, but the wait is usually about half that - 15 to 20 minutes.

If you can do that consistently and still offer great food/drinks/value, you'll win even more customers as word of mouth spreads about how the new management is doing it right.

Best of luck to you!

The biggest driver of the longer wait times is when there are parties. That's when it get really long. Without a party going on it might be 25 minutes.

[Admiral Blue]

We moved to Lincoln Park in 2011 for less than 2 years and have now been in Park Ridge for 2.5 years. My office is still in Lincoln Park though.

I liked the SW burbs---would have loved to move to Burr Ridge, but family and friends are mostly NW.

[snide]

Can I speak to the manager? My burger is cold, my beer is warm, the waiter is gay. And ugly. And, there's a fly in my soup.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by snide

Can I speak to the manager? My burger is cold, my beer is warm, the waiter is gay. And ugly. And, there's a fly in my soup.

I'm sorry, sir, we'll try to find you a more attractive gay waiter.

[snide]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

I'm sorry, sir, we'll try to find you a more attractive gay waiter.

[Superstreet]

Originally Posted by yell01

If anyone happens to be in the Chicago area give me a shout and I'll buy you a beer.

Deal! Best of luck, Frank!!!!

[Superstreet]

Originally Posted by yell01

If anyone happens to be in the Chicago area give me a shout and I'll buy you a beer.

Deal! Best of luck, Frank!!!! Looks like a nice, clean place.