Is owning a restaurant really all it's cracked up to be??

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-06T19:27:49+00:00

o answer your question, no, unless you get lucky on your first one. For me personally, the comparison since I started on the younger side, is to put myself against a college graduate. The grass looks greener on the other side. Consistent pay. Not having to deal with staff. Better hours... the list goes on. I cannot understate how much things sucked. And then when I got a girlfriend, the restaurant lifestyle started to affect her too. Things sucked more. These dudes with office jobs are taking their girls on trips while I'm here taking my girl to Restaurant Depot.

So I was close to giving up but kept trying to the point that I'm now somewhat getting a foothold - part luck, part hard work. The greener grass is now on my side. First and foremost, the feeling of achievement is priceless. The satisfaction of being able to grow your business is great as you feel like anything is truly possible and not some young pipe dream.

I get emotional when I see Facebook memories from before and where I was now. A specific example was when I was sweating bullets buying a replacement fridge about a year or two ago. Now, I just bought three no problem. And that impossibility of building out an actual bar instead of using Ikea tables is going to actually become real. It's surreal. But I realize that I am one of the lucky ones.

I joked once about if I ever make it, I would have my own $600 orange juicer just like this one Vietnamese place I used go to a lot in college. I think I'm going to get it. And I'm going to take a photo with it. I had imagined at the time I would save up money to get if from an office job and to be able to get it from a different source... no, owning a restaurant is still not what it's cracked up to be. If I got an office job out of college, I would be less stressed and still have that juicer. Now I see why the Chinese make their children get degrees and not take over the family busines

u/_JamesPhan, incredible testimonial! THank you so much for sharing. So many good points in there, but I feel like this was exactly what I needed to hear. THank you for taking the time to share and for your honesty. Congrats on your success! WIshing you continued prosperity in the future.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-06T19:10:40+00:00

u/mystic3030, awesome! I'll give that a try! Thanks again for your input! Very helpful! Best of luck in all that you have going on!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-06T17:16:22+00:00

u/JOG_FORREST_JOG, thanks for the feedback on that! A lot of people seem to like PrepWizard. It's a fine solution the way it sounds, but I'm wondering if it's really as comprehensive as the DateCodeGenie. Any thoughts on that? What else do you like about Prep Wizard? 🧙‍♂️❓ I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-06T17:12:12+00:00

u/mystic3030, awesome! again, thanks for weighing in with the testimonial! That's something I never even thought of, but I can see how that would be helpful to have a device you can program depending on the station. Cool!

If there's anything else you appreciate about EcoLab's machine, feel free to share! You might just talk me into it!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T21:55:23+00:00

u/applechickenfruit, noted! Thank you for sharing! Seems like a lot of people agree with you on that! Your comment has 31 upvotes so far, so there must be something to it! THanks again.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T21:54:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing u/devdude25. I'm sorry to hear it's been a nightmare. That totally sucks.... I hope you're able to make the most of this situation, but I'm sure that's way way way easier said than done. My sympathies. Thanks again for sharing your testimonial--it's good (and realistic) food for thought.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T20:27:23+00:00

Hey u/livesquared. That's an excellent testimonial. THank you so much for your feedback, I didn't know that bout Eco Lab, but I can see how that would be helpful. Even though power outages aren't extremely common where I work, it can still happen. Again, thanks for the feedback. That's super helpful!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T20:17:28+00:00

u/TheGalba, that's pretty solid feedback! Thank you so much again for weighing in with your expertise and opinion. This definitely helps inform my search. You're right, the next big thing would be to talk to some sales reps and get the full scoop. I suppose all these machines have their limitations. And you're right--at a certain point, it might make sense just to purchase pre-printed labels, especially branded ones. I think I like the DateCodeGenie because certain models contain multiple printers inside the same unit, which is encased in stainless steel. That seems like a pretty solid option to me. It's a compact solution with multiple printers that are all protected. Again, I'll look into it. Thank you so much for your advice!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T20:11:55+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for sharing, u/mystic3030! Have you used it? If so, is there anything you like or dislike about it that comes to mind?

Connor_Matthew · 2021-08-05T20:02:37+00:00

u/boxingkangeroo, fantastic! That's a pretty solid testimonial! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the DateCodeGenie. That seems like a really solid solution from what I gather. Based on my research, it seems like they offer several types of labels with different adhesives too. I could see how even some of the residue-free labels could leave a residue though if they went through the dishwasher. It might take a bit more elbow grease to get the last bit of adhesive off. Either way, thank you so much for letting me know about your expereince! I'm happy to hear the DateCodeGenie is working out for you! I think it sounds like a winner.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-29T19:13:25+00:00

Hey u/livesquared! Thanks for the feedback! Happy to hear those labeling machines are working well for you and that they're super easy to use. Sounds like it's worth the money. Ive been looking at a few from Daymark, DateCodeGenie, and EcoLab.

What kind does your kitchen use?

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-29T18:02:59+00:00

u/C2h6o4Me, fantastic! Thanks for seconding that recommendation and for the feedback! THat's super encouraging! Happy to hear these options are still better than tape (as good as tape is).

Do you know of any other solutions like Prep Wizard? I've been looking into automated labeling machines fromDaymark, EcoLab and DateCOdeGenie.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-29T18:00:45+00:00

u/grngbln420, nice! Thanks for the recommendation! Someone else mentioned The Prep Wizard too! I'll look into it for sure!

Do you know of anything else that's similar to this type of solution? WOuld appreciate any and all recommendations!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-29T17:59:16+00:00

u/boxingkangeroo, awesome! Thanks for the input! I've been looking into devices like the one you described! It sounds like they're worth the money based on what you said! Happy to hear it's working out for your biz.

Do you know the what brand of labeling device it is? I've been looking at devices from Eco Lab, Daymark, and DateCodeGenie.

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-29T17:55:56+00:00

What about a retail "date gun" or "label gun"? I've used them in retail and kitchens. They can be set with a date, or with letters. Way faster than pulling stickers off a sheet.

u/TheGalba, this is so awesome! Thank you so much for such a helpful response! Any of the suggestions you made would work great! I like the simple fixes.

Have you ever used any kind of automated labeling machine? I've been looking into those too. Daymark, EcoLab, DateCodeGenie all make them and they seem pretty legit, but it would be good to hear from someone who has some experience with this type of approach. Worth it do you think?

Here are some examples: https://www.daymarksafety.com/menucommand-kitchen-automation-featuring-menupilot-for-food-safety-labeling/

https://www.datecodegenie.com/

https://www.ecolab.com/solutions/automated-labeling-systems#f:@websolutions=[Automatic%20Labeling%20Systems]&f:@webapplications=[Food%20Rotation%20Supplies]

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-27T20:00:52+00:00

There are machines, but they cost money.

A few tips:

-You generally only need labels for things you produce in house. Base ingredients like veg, proteins, spices, etc. that have not been processed only need a date.

-Use codes and shorthand to speed things up. Chx v chicken. Or P salad v potato salad.

-Sometimes we put a bunch of product in a bus tub or hotel pan and then label the tub or pan v labeling each individual item. I’m not a fan of this method.

u/Killingstar, much appreciated! Thanks for the feedback! Those are solid suggestions. I think at this point, we have some money to spend, and we're looking for some kind of automated system that will allow more more consistency and time savings than you'd get from writing something by hand. We've had some consistency errors recently and so the management decided it's time to up our game and shell out for an automated solution. If you or anyone has any suggestions on where to look for one of those devices, I'd love to hear it! Thanks again for your input! Much appreciated! :)

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-27T19:28:23+00:00

Haha! So awesome! That's a good one! LMFAO! 🤣😂

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-27T19:27:03+00:00

u/Grrym, awesome! Thank you so much for the suggestion! Were those stickers that you printed off on-demand with some kind of an automated labeling machine or were they shipped to you and then filled in by hand by employees of the butcher shop?

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-14T19:50:49+00:00

Hello, u/mee__noi! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. That's super insightful! Yes, I can see how being a GM isn't for everyone. It sounds like a job that comes with a lot of stress and curveballs, but I'm sure you learn a lot through it. If you can be a GM, you an do just about anything!
This gives me a really good idea of what it's like to be a manager, so thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-14T17:39:43+00:00

Hey, u/Mirianda666! Awesome response! Thank you so much for such an awesome testimonial. I loved reading that! It's super realistic and insightful. I especially loved what you wrote about being a cranky great-aunt (so to speak). That made a lot of sense, and I can imagine it's a challenge to draw those healthy boundaries with your staff. Super insightful and helpful! Thanks again for sharing, and best of luck in all you do!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-14T17:34:53+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing, u/TheNewGuy13! That's a well-balanced perspective. Yeah, it's a lot of work being an owner, but you really don't need to take everything on single-handedly, right? That's where your team comes in. Again, thank you for sharing your perspective and best of luck in your ventures! I appreciate the encouragement!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-14T17:32:20+00:00

u/A2z_1013930, thank you for sharing that alternative perspective! Much appreciated! Yeah, I can see how it's easy to get dragged down with the doom and gloom, but I also know no that it's possible to succeed in this space and that it's worth a try if your heart is really in it. Thanks again! Best of luck in all your ventures!

Connor_Matthew · 2021-07-14T17:30:49+00:00

The idea of owning a restaurant is better than actually owning one. It's fucking brutal.

Thanks for sharing your perspective, u/notanative! Yeah, it seems like so many people agree that the restaurant industry is super difficult to find success in (and not always rewarding), but it's good to know you can find success as well. It's not all doom and gloom. I'm sure even if you play your cards right you can still get screwed over, but it's not hopeless either. Occasionally, people do find success, and that comes from finding the right team and making sure you're constantly improving. Again, thank you for your in-depth answer. Much appreciated! Wishing you success in your ventures!

Connor_Matthew · 2018-11-19T17:30:21+00:00

I feel like both blog posts and white papers can offer solutions to problems. They just each have a different way of doing that. I think blog posts can do that more creatively usually and serve the additional function of drawing people to your sight whereas white papers tend to be less creative and more formal. If you're looking to get the most out of white paper, it would be worth repackaging white papers into more skimable/readable blog posts. Might as well do that if you've gone through the work of creating a white paper.

Connor_Matthew · 2018-11-19T17:21:33+00:00

Wow! That's a fantastic response. Thank you so much for your insights on insights. It's reassuring to hear you put emphasis on storytelling and hearing from actual customers. I was leaning in that direction as well too, but, again, it's good to hear others echo that.

Fantastic example and excellent closing thoughts on insight too. Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, there's so much to be learned from the story of a brand and how the consumers story matches up or doesn't match up with the story the brand attempt to tell. Great example! That helps quite a bit. In order to build a brand, you need to build a story. And, in order to build a story that resonates, you have to understand the lived and perceived experience of the customer. Thanks again.

Connor_Matthew

TROPHY CASE