The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has recently launched new guidelines that detail best practice in the use of sustainable packaging for the food services industry. The guidelines were developed in close consultation with the government, the food services industry, waste handlers, composters and recyclers, university researchers and community groups. The regulatory framework is designed Read more…
Lately the restrictions have been light especially for restaurants, cafes and other places where people gather . And once most of us become vaccinated, we will be back on full business because more people will be confident to go out and visit their favourite cafes and restaurants. What happens to food businesses after COVID-19 Food Read more…
The disinfectant should be effective against COVID-19, S. aureus, Salmonella and other microbial threats. This is especially important in food service outlets where contact and cross-contamination are very likely. This way, you, the staff and customers will always be protected from the alarming threats. Choosing a disinfectant for your food service outlet The disinfectant should Read more…
To make things more efficient for your bakery, we can start with eliminating waste and applying lean practices for your business. For example, we can minimise or eliminate waste of movement and processing (e.g. using bake and serve boxes where you don’t have to transfer containers and wash baking tins and pans). Make your bakery Read more…
Going green also means becoming more efficient and reducing waste in the entire business operations. For example, instead of using multiple containers for cooking and baking, what happens is that fewer containers are used (or that the box is the one also used for baking). This helps save time both in the transfer of the Read more…
Ghost kitchens don’t have a physical dining space which is why they have lower operating costs. As a result, these “cloud kitchens” and delivery-only restaurants can be more profitable and sustainable than the conventional restaurants with huge dining spaces. How ghost kitchens can be more profitable and sustainable It’s especially the case now where takeaway Read more…
Expect higher levels of hygiene and sanitation for the long term. Now that things finally getting back to normal, there will be new regulations and standards to help keep the customers healthy and safe. In fact, it’s happening right now because many food premises still operate with their takeaway and home delivery service source: Business.gov.au, Read more…
Eco-friendly shopping bags are here and plastic bags that pollute the oceans should now be out because of their environmental impact. But should we really ban plastic bags in favour of shopping bags made from paper and recycled material? Should we really ban plastic bags? At first glance we’ll immediately think that it’s better for Read more…
Uncertainty and competition have been always here for restaurants, cafes, bakeries and other food service outlets. But this time it’s different because of the pandemic and the rapid changes in how people consume and run businesses. What’s next for restaurants and other food businesses Takeaway service will likely to expand and stay. This means more Read more…
Expect more rapid and sudden changes to come. That’s because restrictions come and go and they might still change in the near future. Also, the fluctuating consumer demand puts a strain on many small food businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bakeries. How food businesses can prepare for the future Aside from the COVID-19 Safety Read more…
Takeaway service often requires single-use packaging whether it’s in an urban cafe, restaurant or bakery. Each transaction means the use of boxes, plates, straws, cups and napkins. Imagine millions of those transactions that happen every day and we end up with a landfill full of waste. Making food takeaway service environment-friendly In almost every economic Read more…
Every little advantage counts especially in the competitive food and beverage industry. This includes advantages in the product itself, the customer service, marketing and brand perception and the packaging. Does good packaging really matter in food businesses? Should we just focus on the product itself? However, customers might find it hard to differentiate among products Read more…
Lower demand for goods and services, cash flow issues and having to change business practices are some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to businesses (source) including food service outlets. For food service outlets to adapt, survive and thrive, they had to quickly change their business practices. A related example is how some liquor Read more…
Yes you can have both. It’s possible to go green while making your bakery more profitable. In fact, going green is a practical business decision. First, going green means minimising waste. If you reduce waste in your business, the natural result is you’ll also save on production costs. For example, it’s now possible to use Read more…
Many restaurants, cafes, bakeries and food service outlets in Australia are doing the best they can to stay present for their customers as well as become responsible in their business operations. One way they practice that responsibility is by going environment friendly and adopting only sustainable practices. But, do customers really care? It’s nice to Read more…
When customers come into your coffee shop, are they underwhelmed with your cup offering? Let’s face it, a good cup of coffee transcends the vessel you serve it in; if you serve it in cool packaging, however, your customers will appreciate the effort. As a cafe or coffee shop owner, you know that customers can Read more…
It was not that long ago that restaurant owners had to make a choice between boosting profits and reducing their environmental footprints. Those restaurant owners knew that going green was the right thing to do, but they also knew that the chefs, servers, hosts, dishwashers and other staff members relied on the business to make Read more…
Meet HuskeeCup. A coffee cup as sophisticated as it is sustainable. HuskeeCup are made from coffee husks as a raw material. Husk is an organic waste product from the milling stage of coffee production. By purchasing HuskeeCup, you are helping to recycle hundreds of tonnes of waste material from the production of coffee. We’ve developed a Read more…
Presentation is important when it comes to the cafe business. You want to serve your customers with a smile and give them a quality product that they will want to come back for time and time again. Part of this presentation involves the type of packaging you choose. If you are a cafe owner, you Read more…
More and more restaurant owners decide to go green to help our planet. Takeaway food containers are usually made of Styrofoam, a material that has a negative effect on health and the environment. As awareness about our planet’s problems is growing, many restaurants decide to use more eco-friendly materials to ensure a sustainable future for Read more…
Cooler temperatures are on the horizon, which means that it’s time to transition your cafe’s product offerings, decor, and service to the upcoming winter season
There is always a new trend in food, the latest place, a brave new chef. Yet I have been noticing a leaning, a slowing down. It seemed we ran as far as we could from the meat and three veg and ever since food trends have been moving and shifting. In such short time there Read more…
Whenever a customers steps foot into your cafe, they want to be impressed by WHAT you do, and HOW you do it. Sure, they want to SEE that you’re running a fine food establishment. They want to HEAR the sound of a busy cafe filled with all the noise of piping jets of hot steam Read more…
As a barista, your job isn’t just to make good coffee. In reality, your job is about much more; it’s about creating meaningful connections with customers that will keep them coming back for more. Out of these two tasks, connecting with customers is by far the most difficult. After all, a cup of coffee will Read more…
Christmas is a busy time for the food service business. Patrons will not only be looking for a cool refreshment in the heat of summer, they will also want to celebrate the biggest holiday of the year. Here are some ideas to take advantage of the season while also delivering the best service to your Read more…
Over the years, Starbucks has grown into a coffee-making giant. But the quality of their coffee still isn’t as widely accepted as they would like, and in Australia they still can’t compete with smaller coffeehouses that focus on service and quality drinks. It’s been shown time and time again that quality usually outperforms consistency. So Read more…
Climate change is a pertinent issue for consumers around the world right now, which means that businesses can benefit from operating in a way that is environmentally friendly. As a cafe owner, there are many positives to transitioning to eco-friendly management solutions. Not only is it better for the environment, but consumers will also feel Read more…
Good comfort food is a holiday staple. Everyone loves to see themed pastries, bread, espresso, cakes, and cookies in the windows of their favourite cafes. Deck the halls of your restaurant this holiday season with details that reflect the care and passion that you put into your business. Here are some tips for drawing in Read more…
When you think about café style, you probably imagine cool counter tops, trendy light fittings, and chic wall art. However, you probably gloss over one of the most important aspects of your café’s style branding: packaging. Your food and drink packaging represent your café in the online world of Instagram and Facebook, making it a Read more…
Competition can be stiff when it comes to coffee sales. High-visibility franchises can make it difficult for independent cafes and coffee shops to compete. Besides offering a great cup of coffee, what else can you do to encourage customers to choose your cafe over the big chains? Many customers only care about what’s in the Read more…
Show your customers that you’re business is dedicated to a cleaner future and switch to eco-friendly food packaging. Reduce the amount of landfill waste with these convenient and compostable product lines available through Kent Paper. There are environmentally responsible, and no less convenient, options for everything from takeaway boxes to sauce cups and straws. You Read more…
It was not that long ago that restaurant owners had to make a choice between boosting profits and reducing their environmental footprints. Those restaurant owners knew that going green was the right thing to do, but they also knew that the chefs, servers, hosts, dishwashers and other staff members relied on the business to make Read more…
You shouldn’t have to take a loss or undervalue your product to promote your business. While advertising does help a food service business, it lacks the buzz that social media and publicity can create. Let your market know who you are, give your cafe or restaurant a personality. The public will respond with support and Read more…
Anyone who works in the food industry will know that the way a dish is presented is one of the most important elements of the service. This includes restaurants where the presentation of the food is key to creating an image, as well as takeaway establishments where food packaging presentation is the most important factor to consider.
If you are just starting a cafe in Australia, now is the time to plan for the future. Getting started is the most difficult step. But you will also need to think about how to sustain your success over a long period of time. While the techniques and tasks that you utilize to do this will vary from business to business, there are some basic principles that you can keep in mind that will help you maintain this goal.
From biodegradable takeout containers to recyclable cartons and boxes for fast food, “green” food packaging is making its way into the service sphere of the food market.
One of the questions that Australian cafe owners always ask is whether they should expand their cafe business to include meals. Adding on menu items can be a risky thing when you are not sure whether it will be a success or not with your cafe.
Choosing eco-friendly packaging is not difficult if you understand the materials that your supplier is using to create your take-out cups and boxes. It helps to have a knowledge of some of the types of materials that paper suppliers use so that you will be able to make the best selection that is earth-friendly. One Read more…
If you are struggling to make your cafe the creative mecca that you want it to be, you’ve come to the right place. We offer tips to Australian cafe and coffee shop owners that help to move your business to new levels and create a new sense of excitement for your company. Making your coffee shop Read more…
Café owners, we know you’re busy, but don’t forget: Mother’s Day is just around the corner! And since Mother’s Day can be an extra-hectic day of the year for the food service industry, there’s a bit more on your plate as far as prep goes. What can you do to make your coffee shop or restaurant an attractive option for a Mother’s Day destination–and build up customer loyalty in the process?
What do we do so well, that meant a corporate megalith with obscene marketing grunt was rejected out of hand for the sake of the independent cafe owner?
Are your customers concerned about the harm caused to the environment by disposable cups and food containers? Many fast-food outlets focus on providing quality meals and reliable customer service. Why not improve your business image and bottom line by serving takeout food in eco-friendly containers? Australia adds one billion coffee cups each year to a Read more…
As a business owner, you hate to see waste going out from your cafe day after day. That’s more trash going in a landfill, more chances for your customers to encounter an overflowing rubbish bin if your employees don’t change it in a timely fashion, and more money coming out of your business bank account. Read more…
This article will explain the development of edible food packaging. How far would you go to help protect the environment? This is the question posed by an April 2017 Christian Science Monitor article (1) by writer Menqi Sun. The article covers the work of Skipping Rocks Labs, a London-based startup that is developing an edible Read more…
Millions of disposable coffee cups are purchased every day. Cups from multinational giants like Starbucks, regional chains such as Muffin Break, and independent cafes enter landfills day after day as a result. It’s been estimated that Australians toss one billion disposable coffee cups into landfills every year, creating hundreds of thousands of tonnes of plastic waste. Read more…
Food packaging is part of the experience for fast food customers. It not only protects the meal, but it’s also how the shopper carries the food, stores the food, and often serves as dishware for eating the food. From better burger wraps to Chinese noodle containers, the aesthetics of your presentation can turn people onto Read more…
Whether you own a tiny town bakery or a booming coffee shop in the middle of Sydney, your brand image is crucial to your ability to gain customer loyalty. And as the one product that almost always makes its way home with your visitors, what better place to work on branding than the bags customers Read more…
While you may deliver the best breads in Australia or knock-your-socks-off coffee, you could be missing out on a valuable client base if your business hasn’t gone green. In fact, 52% of Australians prefer to deal with companies who have a reputation for caring about the environment, so you can gain a competitive advantage and Read more…
Have you ever thought that some simple packaging solutions could increase your sales? Here are some ideas for doing just that. You can’t anticipate the needs of your customers every day. You can only give them options. You can also spruce things up with some added details that will charm them into returning time and Read more…
Opening up a new restaurant, cafe, or coffee shop can be exciting — and stressful. One of the biggest questions on your mind as a new business owner is likely: How am I going to get new customers? Without a degree in marketing, gathering your clientele can feel like a daunting task. But with these Read more…
If you are in the food service or cafe business in Australia, you know the importance of keeping up with the trends. But just because something became a trend doesn’t necessarily mean that it is something you should adapt in your cafe business. Some trends seemed interesting at first but didn’t stand the test of Read more…
You decorated your café for the festive season. You stocked up on party supplies and Christmas decorations. You catered for end-of-year lunches and played carols on a loop. But now the carols are over. The tinsel has fallen. The fruit cake has turned to crumbs. Christmas is over, and it’s time to clean up. Don’t Read more…
Whether or not you observe Christmas, December is a month of seasonal celebrations. Religious holidays, public holidays, the end-of-year break: this is the time to visit family, relax at home, or take a trip.
If you’re like millions of caffeine lovers, coffee is an integral part of your life. It might even be hard to make it through your day with a jolt of joe. Every year, someone is telling you about the latest hype and trends. While espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes are still big sellers, consumers such as Read more…
As the seasons change, so should your menu. But often times, customers–especially regulars–are hesitant to try a new dish. Because of this, it’s essential that you do your best to market your new product. At the same time, don’t let the price of advertising overshadow the sales that your new item generates. Instead, try a few Read more…
Use these innovative approaches to increase sales through the summer season and beyond. Smaller Items To Go Incorporating smaller grab-and-go type items into your menu draws in customers that may not have time to sit down. Breakfast is a perfect time of day for small menu items. Morning is when people are headed to work, Read more…
Are you planning on opening your own coffee shop and want to do everything in your power to ensure it is a success, or do you already run a cafe and want to improve your annual revenues? Optimizing your restaurant business for success takes effort and a willingness to be analytical in your approach to Read more…
One interesting Australian coffee trend in 2017 is the growth of local cafes beginning to roast their own coffee beans. It’s easy to see the appeal of this trend for small cafes. It can provide a unique branding opportunity that allows you to set your shop apart from larger operations. Additionally, it can be a Read more…
The best fete food stalls always feature colorful treats bursting out of boxes or wrapped up ready to go home with you. Trays of nachos, chips, and pies call out waiting to be eaten. Tables displaying slices and cakes make the mouth water. So, what are some great ideas for a school fete stall? Whether Read more…
You may not realize it, but your cafe’s menu is one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal to increase sales and attract and keep a loyal customer base. The options on your menu should represent your best food and beverages; the menu itself should be appealing, and an accurate reflection of Read more…
Selecting a theme for your cafe is not an easy task. It takes knowledge about your geographical location and a talent in figuring out who your target audience is. The following tips will help you to plan your theme based on a number practical ideas that take your target audience, goals, and resources into consideration. Read more…
Spring is here so here are some tips on this season’s hottest café trends. If you run a café, you know the importance of moving with the times. Customers want a café that is stylish and on-trend while also providing delicious, ethically sound produce. The new season is bringing some exciting trends in café style Read more…
When the TV show Friends was on the air, lots of people poked fun at the idea of a bunch of adults hanging out at a cafe every day. Don’t these people have jobs? How do they pay rent? Do these TV writers even know how the real world works? Ironically, if you walk into Read more…
Presentation is important when it comes to the cafe business. You want to serve your customers with a smile and give them a quality product that they will want to come back for time and time again. Part of this presentation involves the type of packaging you choose. If you are a cafe owner, you Read more…
There are those who believe that the best coffee is just … coffee. Rich and dark, with maybe a little sugar, and nothing else. Then there are those who like their coffee sweet, creamy, and intricately flavoured. Whether you are a coffee purist or not, however, your cafe customers need a variety of flavours to Read more…
Running your own cafe comes with a lot of challenges. One of them is attracting a steady stream of customers. It’s not always easy to get coffee lovers to chose your cafe over others. One solution is to be present on social media. Facebook, in particular, has proven to be a great platform to promote local businesses. Yet, many cafe owners are not aware of the best Facebook marketing strategies.
Around the world, everyone knows that Australia is obsessed with coffee. Indeed, we’ve perfected flat whites and long blacks into an art form! But have you ever wondered how café culture sprung up in this country? After all, this flavourful brew isn’t native to Australia’s shores. Find out below how coffee stole the country’s heart–and never gave it back.
Food Packaging matters. Whether you’re selling boutique cupcakes or noodle dishes, takeaway packaging plays a big part in the customer’s experience. Choosing something that works for your particular food product is important. Take into account things like moisture content, whether the shopper will eat the entire dish now or take it home, and whether your product needs extra protection.
The food service industry is seeing the effects of the green movement more than any other industry. People want to know that the food they eat doesn’t contain potentially toxic preservatives or fillers, that their coffee and tea is Fair Trade certified, and that they will have options that are soy, nut, dairy, and gluten Read more…
If you want to succeed in this brave new world, you need to differentiate your brand and build a unique identity. It is not enough to give your customers the best coffee in town, although that is obviously a great place to start. If you hope to succeed for the long term, you need to create a space where customers will be happy to spend their time, and their money. Here are some tips to help you differentiate your brand and build a better coffee shop.
In today’s social media driven world, people are choosing where to eat, drink, and hangout based on how Insta-worthy the spot is… especially cafés. Aside from the obvious food presentation, small touches around your café can make you an Instagrammer’s dream and as the old saying goes “if you Instagram it, they will come,” or something along those lines.
As a barista, your job isn’t just to make good coffee. In reality, your job is about much more; it’s about creating meaningful connections with customers that will keep them coming back for more. Out of these two tasks, connecting with customers is by far the most difficult.
Focusing on environmental sustainability and worker rights is an increasingly important part of the coffee shop industry, and the benefits multiply throughout the supply chain. When coffee shop owners refuse to compromise their standards, the workers who pick their beans get better treatment, customers get a better quality product and business owners get additional revenue and a boost to their brand identity.
With the amount of competition in cafes, few owners couldn’t stand to set the bar a little higher when it comes to customer service. Regardless of how many books you’ve read or courses you’ve taken about customer service, you likely have your own approach when it comes to handling the people who look to you every day for their food service
There are many different things you have to consider in the food or cafe business. Choosing the right foods on your menu that your customers will love is important. You also need to have plenty of the good things that your customers want. Hire trustworthy employees. Make sure you have all of the equipment to run your business. Most of all, you must have the right packaging supplier for your take-out foods.
Australia is known around the globe for its obsession with coffee and 2017 is of no exception. The newest trends in coffee drinks, as well as the classic brews are in demand across the country from guests expecting only one thing; the best cup of coffee they can get. But can they stop at just one cup?
Once you have your coffee shop’s target market in mind, you can begin taking mindful steps to cater to it specifically, and one of the most important ways you will do this is by tweaking the ambiance of your café.
Choosing the right coffee machine supplier for your cafe can make or break your cafe. Not just in selling coffees but the maintenance, beans & training
Is your Burger Insta Worthy? You work hard. You have fine turned your recipes, sourced the best ingredients; invested time, capital and expertise. The consumer will appreciate all of your efforts. They will. But before that… Before that very first mouthful, the first sip, even the smell, the eyes have already gone ahead. It’s as Read more…
No matter how well you run your café, it’s difficult to draw in customers if you don’t market your business. Marketing not only makes people aware of you, but it also invites them to keep coming back. Here are some top tips for spreading the word about your business. These focus on café marketing, but Read more…
McDonalds for one, now has a serious vision for sustainability. It comes complete with cute fuzzy logos; symbols of love hearts and a flower holding green..
Cake types and flavours are almost infinite. Name a combination of ingredients, and you can find it in a recipe somewhere. This variety can be overwhelming, though. With so many flavours to choose from, how do you know which cakes you’ll enjoy?
Take Away restaurants; here’s your queue. Spring is here! There’s that familiar shift in the air; the daylight hours stretch into dinnertime. Now its spring
Sustainable packaging design is an inspiring, practical way to help the environment and your business at the same time. Here are the current trends.
Is it time to update your menu? A weekend experience got me thinking how important it is for cafe’s & restaurants to spend time getting their menu right.
In this second of two parts, we look at the tips for training and developing the staff who will help your café or restaurant business grow.
In this first of two parts, we look at the best ways to find, attract and interview the types of people who will help your café or restaurant business grow.
Most of your customers do their grocery shopping at Woolworths and Coles. However, with limited variety and very limited customer service, Aldi’s sales are forecast to rise almost 90 per cent over the next four years, and they are taking customers left, right and center from the previously untouchable BIG 2. What is Aldi’s secret? Read more…
Have you heard about the ‘beer revolution’? Australia’s favourite drink is back in the hands of the ordinary man and the humble brew is becoming synchronous with words such as; independence and freedom. If you customers is not already asking for it, they soon will be, and if you don’t supply, they’re sure to be Read more…
A café or restaurant is an ideal place to host a party. But with so many factors to keep in mind, how can you plan a function with minimal cost and fuss?
Finding the right name for your café is one of the most important tasks you face during the establishment phase. The name needs to make an impression, yet tick off certain fundamentals. What’s the secret to naming your ‘baby’?
From lights to floors and use of space, the way you fit out your café says a lot about your business. Your café’s fitout should be functional yet inviting — but how can you achieve that balance?
Your café’s signage is a crucial way to speak to your customers. As you approach the visual merchandising of your business, consider how to make your signage define your café’s message and ambiance.
By making a few simple changes, takeaway shops can reduce their waste by more than half. Here we focus on the techniques to avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle food packaging.
It’s a no brainer — the more takeaway food you can sell, the better your bottom line is going to look. But what sure-fire tactics need to be employed to get this result?
Good coffee requires good equipment so it’s not the area to try and save money on. That said you don’t need to buy the most expensive espresso machine on the market. Here’s a rundown of the factors you need to keep in mind when choosing a coffee machine.
With so many options to choose from, and so little transparency in the process, picking a coffee supplier can be a daunting process. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself to help make the right decision.
Not only do you want to get customers in the door of your café or restaurant, but you want to deliver an exceptional experience that will have them coming back time and time again. Here are seven useful tips to help you deliver that experience.
Most of us like to start the day off with a good cup of coffee. But what will ensure your new café venture is the morning stop off for your potential customers?
The new year has just begun, it seems the top food chains are introducing value menu’s.The reason for this focus, major food brands are losing market share from smaller competitors. These changes indicate that larger chains are not only trying to compete with traditional rivals but are also having to consider what their smaller food Read more…
It seems the gluten-free movement and fast “McDonald’s-style” medicine may be causing unnecessary health issues. The Sydney morning herald has reported that health professionals are concerned the “worried well” were getting swept up by gluten-free advocates, including some naturopaths, who advise people to get colonoscopies even if they don’t fit the medical criteria for the Read more…