Nightowl Convenience Stores
This popular Queensland franchise is expanding nationally. Franchise opportunities are available at Nightowl Head Office in Brisbane. www.nightowl.com.au
Food Strategy has been working closely with Nightowl for nearly 2 years on various store designs to incorporate their new concept and fresh image.
Nightowl needs designs that reflect the company branding in detailed plans that enable their shopfitters to give accurate quotes and bring the projects together effortlessly. On time and on budget.
Have a look inside our designer's computer screen to see how the 3D design looks.
Watch this Youtube design video by Food Strategy www.foodstrategy.com.au
See your vision come to life in 3D at www.foodstrategy.com.au
Double click on the video for a larger view via Youtube.
Or paste this link in your web browser: http://youtu.be/NqMk9GIsMu8
Professional Design for Foodservice Hospitality Retail. Intelligent designs, council approved, ready for construction so your projects move forward with minimal stress...on time and on budget.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Coffee Shop Design-Does It Matter?
Coffee shop design - does it matter?
I spent the day at Caboolture Historical Village on a school excursion. CHV is located north of Brisbane and is a step back in time to Aussie pioneering days with museum, displays and shows.
After a 45 minute noisy bus trip, the parents and teachers were desperate for a caffeine recharge.
At the entrance to the CHV visitors centre there's a slick, new coffee shop offering all the coffee choices and a daily menu.
The coffee was great and gave us the energy burst to keep up with the kids during the next 2 hours of exploring the pioneering village.
As we meandered around the beautiful grounds and buildings of yesteryear we stumbled across a 'Billy Tea House' with old fashioned tea, coffee and home made biscuits.
As we tripped up the verandah steps we could smell the home cooking and hear the clinking of the mis-matched tea cups being washed by the 'mature' and smiling volunteers. On a cool winter's day the inner warmth of the small cottage embraced us like a warm hug. The tables and chairs were from various ages of 1950s to 70s and painted a matching green. Each table lovingly covered with a homely table cloth.
A steaming cuppa and 3 home made biscuits (choc chip, anzac and jam drop) cost a frugle $3.00. Less than a coffee at the new coffee shop out the front.
Both establishments were immaculately clean and had lovely attendants doting on their customers. Yet somehow the old fashioned tea house in a wooden cottage just 'felt right'.
Now don't get me wrong; compliance with health and building codes must come before any concept or theme. The tea house is a volunteer run, non-profit establishment and runs with a different motive to the coffee shop.
Ultimately the design of your coffee shop:
= Must be based on your unique concept and menu
= Emphasize employee efficiency and logical customer flow
= Display your key products to increase sales
= Must meet your construction budget
= Must include a kitchen that can function at peak performance during your busy times.
= Include construction standard details and accuracy to ensure your project comes together smoothly.
Visit www.foodstrategy.com.au for more information.
I spent the day at Caboolture Historical Village on a school excursion. CHV is located north of Brisbane and is a step back in time to Aussie pioneering days with museum, displays and shows.
After a 45 minute noisy bus trip, the parents and teachers were desperate for a caffeine recharge.
At the entrance to the CHV visitors centre there's a slick, new coffee shop offering all the coffee choices and a daily menu.
 |
| 'Billy Tea Room' at Caboolture Historical Village |
As we meandered around the beautiful grounds and buildings of yesteryear we stumbled across a 'Billy Tea House' with old fashioned tea, coffee and home made biscuits.
 |
| Mis-matched chairs and lace tablecloths |
Was this ambience by design or just pot luck?
A steaming cuppa and 3 home made biscuits (choc chip, anzac and jam drop) cost a frugle $3.00. Less than a coffee at the new coffee shop out the front.
 |
| Doting service and hand washing dishes |
Now don't get me wrong; compliance with health and building codes must come before any concept or theme. The tea house is a volunteer run, non-profit establishment and runs with a different motive to the coffee shop.
Ultimately the design of your coffee shop:
= Must be based on your unique concept and menu
= Emphasize employee efficiency and logical customer flow
= Display your key products to increase sales
= Must meet your construction budget
= Must include a kitchen that can function at peak performance during your busy times.
 |
| Ambience by design or pot luck? |
Visit www.foodstrategy.com.au for more information.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Follow Friday on Twitter
Further to our earlier Food Strategy blog "How to promote your restaurant for free" I encourage you to use the Twitter hash tag #FF. "Follow Friday" is a hashtag used in a tweet with a user's name to recommend that person to all your followers. It's a bit like a recommendation and referral for Tweeters.
Food Strategy occasionally recommends people who have enjoyable interaction, interesting content or industry news.
Today, Food Strategy was ranked #62 in Australia as a Twitterer you should follow. To put that in perspective, Russell Crow is number 1 and the Melbourne Herald newspaper is number 63. Estimates show there are currently nearly 3 million Twitter accounts in Australia alone.
How do you rank? For more stats go to the Follow Friday website
View our stats below:
Can't view this pic then click here
Food Strategy occasionally recommends people who have enjoyable interaction, interesting content or industry news.
Today, Food Strategy was ranked #62 in Australia as a Twitterer you should follow. To put that in perspective, Russell Crow is number 1 and the Melbourne Herald newspaper is number 63. Estimates show there are currently nearly 3 million Twitter accounts in Australia alone.
How do you rank? For more stats go to the Follow Friday website
View our stats below:
Can't view this pic then click here
FOODSERVICE EXPO WIDE BAY / FRASER COAST
Calling all restaurant owners, foodies, foodservice operators, chefs, grocery, aged care and production kitchens. Get all the information you need in design, foodservice and catering equipment at the "Wide Bay & Fraser Coast Foodservice Expo". At the Bundaberg Civic Centre over 2 days.
Click here Brochure and sponsors
• Restaurants • Cafes • Bakeries • Hospitals • Nursing Homes • Schools/Universities/Day Care • Pubs • Hotels • Supermarkets • Workplace Canteens • Clubs • Fast Food Independents • Food Manufacturers
• Prisons
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR RESTAURANT FOR FREE
Are your promoting your restaurant? Did you know you can reach millions of people for free with just a little investment in time?
Chris from Food Strategy attended a seminar on social media. Here is what she discovered.
You can buy attention (advertising)
You can beg for attention from the media (PR)
You can bug people one at a time to get attention (Sales)
OR: you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishng it online for free. (David Meerman Scott)
Social media conjours up mixed feelings. Whatever way you look at it Facebook, Twitter and blogs are here to stay. You no longer have control over what people are saying about you or your business. So you might as well jump in and voice your own opinions.
Restaurants (and any business) can be a part of the social media phenomenon. In the previous week, Chris was at the National Sales Conference of the Stoddart group and got talking about social media. As a result Stoddart and their brands (stainless steel and catering equipment) are now online with Facebook and Twitter.
Be warned, you must have a purpose and you must be willing to engage in active conversation that isn't sanitised.
Food Strategy has a purpose: to hear what the food industry is talking about. Food Strategy wants to fine tune it's services to suit the customer needs. The needs of NOW. Food Strategy wants to raise it's profile in the industry by talking about design solutions and asking questions.
Did you know:
Facebook - Some Facts:
Simon Dell http://www.twocentsgroup.com.au/ Slides at http://www.slideshare.net/simondell
Cat Matson www.twitter.com/catmatson http://www.alito.com.au/
You can buy attention (advertising)
You can beg for attention from the media (PR)
You can bug people one at a time to get attention (Sales)
OR: you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishng it online for free. (David Meerman Scott)
Social media conjours up mixed feelings. Whatever way you look at it Facebook, Twitter and blogs are here to stay. You no longer have control over what people are saying about you or your business. So you might as well jump in and voice your own opinions.
Restaurants (and any business) can be a part of the social media phenomenon. In the previous week, Chris was at the National Sales Conference of the Stoddart group and got talking about social media. As a result Stoddart and their brands (stainless steel and catering equipment) are now online with Facebook and Twitter.
Be warned, you must have a purpose and you must be willing to engage in active conversation that isn't sanitised.
Food Strategy has a purpose: to hear what the food industry is talking about. Food Strategy wants to fine tune it's services to suit the customer needs. The needs of NOW. Food Strategy wants to raise it's profile in the industry by talking about design solutions and asking questions.
Did you know:
- The Australian Taxation Office is on Twitter.
- The Queensland Police Service is on Facebook and You Tube.
- Telstra is on Twitter.
Facebook - Some Facts:
- 7.7 million users in Australia; 44% male, 56% female
- Facebook accounts for 29% of all time spent online by Australians
- Oct 09: Australian users spent 27.2 hours online - 7.55 of which were spent on Facebook
- Oct 09: Australian users uploaded 80 million pictures, wrote 32 million ‘wall posts’ + 45 million ‘status updates’.
- Australia leads the world in time spent on social media sites.
These stats are growing. So how do you market your restaurant? It's simple - just get started.
Log into http://www.facebook.com/ and create your personal profile eg: Joe Blogs. You can't create a business profile unless you have a personal profile to link it to. You can use your exisitng Facebook personal profile or create another dummy one to protect your privacy a little more.
Now create your business page profile Eg: "Food Strategy".
Make sure you go to http://www.facebook.com/username to claim your User Name. This means we can now use the short link www.Facebook.com/FoodStrategy in all our marketing. We don't have to use those long link URLs that make no sense.
Make sure you create your business as a 'business' page or Facebook may delete you. It would be ashame to alienate your followers with a deleted page just when you are starting to get traffic.
Now get started creating your business profile and inviting people to 'like' your page. Add photos and specials.
Claim your location in Facebook as an official geographical place. Everytime a customer walks into your restaurant, ask them to 'check in' at your place to raise the activity of your Facebook page. These 'check ins' can be a great tool for promotion. Eg: if a customer 'checks in' 5 times they get a coffee free. Use your imagination.
All of this can push feeds and links to Twitter, blogs and your website to increase traffic and sales.
Use the Facebook analytics to monitor the stats. See how much activity you are really getting.
Read the help files - they are really easy.
Remember that more people are switching to smart phones which enables them to have a computer in their pocket. Many phone companies are also offering free unlimited download deals to social media sites. It's a great incentive for you to really talk to your customers to hear what they want and what they think.
You can now find Food Strategy at these locations:
Download our brochure here with all the links: BROCHURE
Or find each link here:
http://www.foodstrategy.com.au/ - full web site.
www.Facebook.com/FoodStrategy - interactive profile, chat and pics. Go to our page and 'like'. Then have a look at who we follow to get examples.
www.Twitter.com/FoodStrategy - real time chat
www.YouTube.com/FoodStrategy - videos of interest to our team or industry
www.Flickr.com/FoodStrategy - latest upload of pics
http://www.foodservicedesign.blogspot.com/ - follow our blog stories
news@foodstrategy.com.au send an email to request our newsletter.
Choose the format that suits you.
If you like to write a lot then keep a blog. If you like to chat often - use Twitter. If you want to communicate and have a visual profile then play with Facebook.
If you like to write a lot then keep a blog. If you like to chat often - use Twitter. If you want to communicate and have a visual profile then play with Facebook.
Now, if you want to talk about working in 'The Cloud' - that's a whole different blog!!
If you want to learn more; contact the experts below or download their seminar information.
Mel Kettle http://www.melkettle.com.au/ Slides at: http://www.slideshare.net/melkettleIf you want to learn more; contact the experts below or download their seminar information.
Simon Dell http://www.twocentsgroup.com.au/ Slides at http://www.slideshare.net/simondell
Cat Matson www.twitter.com/catmatson http://www.alito.com.au/
Monday, March 21, 2011
YouTube Video of Projects
What is Food Strategy. We are a team of professional designers who study and perfect design for foodservice, hospitality and retail.
Everyone from the butcher, baker, pub, club, restaurants, food production, institutions, hospitals, aged care, franchises, cafes, grocery, take-aways. Foodservice designs that are more than a concept. Get specialised construction ready plans that incorporate the complex needs of a commercial kitchen environment. Detailed and accurate plans will enable you to get accurate quotes from your builder or shopfitter.
You need to know that your design will enable your work flows, equipment and staff to function efficiently at peak demands. Foodservice design is all we do!
Internationally accredited by FCSI (Foodservice Consultant's Society International)See this You Tube video to get 'the idea'.
Everyone from the butcher, baker, pub, club, restaurants, food production, institutions, hospitals, aged care, franchises, cafes, grocery, take-aways. Foodservice designs that are more than a concept. Get specialised construction ready plans that incorporate the complex needs of a commercial kitchen environment. Detailed and accurate plans will enable you to get accurate quotes from your builder or shopfitter.
You need to know that your design will enable your work flows, equipment and staff to function efficiently at peak demands. Foodservice design is all we do!
Internationally accredited by FCSI (Foodservice Consultant's Society International)See this You Tube video to get 'the idea'.
Australia After the Floods, NZ Quake, Japan's Tsunami
This week Food Strategy attended an informative seminar by Mr Spiros Papadopolous (Senior Economist, Global Markets Research for National Australia Bank).
Spiros produced a crystal ball to give an economic outlook for Australia in the aftermath of the devastating floods and more recent New Zealand and Japanese earthquakes and tsunami.
CPI inflation for March to Jun is expected to be high but will flatten after then. Consumers have been cautious with spending by paying down debt or investing their cash in the bank. This has also been reflected in retail sectors.
The RBA cash rate has been on hold since November however Spiros tips it will rise a few points in the coming months.
Key issues for Australia after the Japanese quake: Japan is 15% of Australia's trade (China 22.5%) 19% of exports and 9% of imports. Main exports are coal, iron ore, beef, aluminium, LNG, nickel, sugar. In the short term commodity demand will fall as large manufacturing plants close. However in the medium term, demand from reconstruction projects, coal and gas fired electricity will exert upward pressure on commodities.
There is $A133bn of resource projects currently committed or under construction which is 10% GDP.
Spiros predicts that the Aussie dollar will peak strong against the USD to $1.05 in June 2011 and beging to decline as the US economy slowly claws back.
In Summary:
For the full story, graphs and stats: Download seminar slides here. (PDF file titled "After The Floods")
Spiros produced a crystal ball to give an economic outlook for Australia in the aftermath of the devastating floods and more recent New Zealand and Japanese earthquakes and tsunami.
He compared previous global trends to hilight the extremely good position Australia is in compared to the rest of the world. After the roll on of the GFC into the floods, the east coast of Australia is starting to feel a bit tired. While the next few months will be a bumpy ride the economic outlook for 2012 is quite good.
Australia's growth has been affected by the floods in the short-term, but the medium term outlook looks strong. Wages and prices will likely trend higher. |
| Flooded home Brisbane. See Youtube video of inside click here |
CPI inflation for March to Jun is expected to be high but will flatten after then. Consumers have been cautious with spending by paying down debt or investing their cash in the bank. This has also been reflected in retail sectors.
The RBA cash rate has been on hold since November however Spiros tips it will rise a few points in the coming months.
Key issues for Australia after the Japanese quake: Japan is 15% of Australia's trade (China 22.5%) 19% of exports and 9% of imports. Main exports are coal, iron ore, beef, aluminium, LNG, nickel, sugar. In the short term commodity demand will fall as large manufacturing plants close. However in the medium term, demand from reconstruction projects, coal and gas fired electricity will exert upward pressure on commodities.
There is $A133bn of resource projects currently committed or under construction which is 10% GDP.
Spiros predicts that the Aussie dollar will peak strong against the USD to $1.05 in June 2011 and beging to decline as the US economy slowly claws back.
In Summary:
- The global economy is improving and Chinese growth remains strong
- Commodity demand will see strong resource investment in Australia
- Household caution is keeping RBA interest rates on hold
- Labour market is strong and umemployment is falling
- RBA cash rate to rise further to contain wage and price pressures
For the full story, graphs and stats: Download seminar slides here. (PDF file titled "After The Floods")
Sunday, March 20, 2011
What's Hot part 2 - Back Out In Front
Back Out In Front
In the past. kitchen budgets were often cut in favour of dining spaces. But with the trend toward front-of-house ‘show’ kitchens increasing, the aesthetics of items such as refrigeration and food service equipment are as important as the design of table and chairs. What were once considered ‘storage’ fridges are now becoming display cabinets.
SKOPE Refrigeration (www.skope.co.nz), in Christchurch New Zealand, has seen a shift in the types of cabinets being ordered such as glass doors over solid doors and glass viewing panels designed to showcase fresh produce. A good example of this is a custom refrigeration cabinet recently built for a circular bar at Queenstown International Airport in New Zealand. The architect’s brief was to design a premium bar that provides customers with maximum views out over the airport. The result of a challenging design is striking and it is one of the first things visitors to Queenstown see, and the last when they leave.
In the past. kitchen budgets were often cut in favour of dining spaces. But with the trend toward front-of-house ‘show’ kitchens increasing, the aesthetics of items such as refrigeration and food service equipment are as important as the design of table and chairs. What were once considered ‘storage’ fridges are now becoming display cabinets.
SKOPE Refrigeration (www.skope.co.nz), in Christchurch New Zealand, has seen a shift in the types of cabinets being ordered such as glass doors over solid doors and glass viewing panels designed to showcase fresh produce. A good example of this is a custom refrigeration cabinet recently built for a circular bar at Queenstown International Airport in New Zealand. The architect’s brief was to design a premium bar that provides customers with maximum views out over the airport. The result of a challenging design is striking and it is one of the first things visitors to Queenstown see, and the last when they leave.
Brisbane Roar wins ALeague 13/3/2011 - Video below
This post isn't foodservice design related, however Food Strategy supports Australian Football (soccer). If you love football you will enjoy this championship video (see below).
We experienced the electric atmosphere when Brisbane Roar clawed their way to a nail biting win of the A League premiership/championship double against Central Coast Mariners.
The match was nil all at full time. During extra time the game equalised in the gripping final minutes to 2 all. Then to penalty shoot outs. The players had to earn this win - and they did.
For those fellow football freaks amongst us we thought you might enjoy seeing the 4 rocketing penalty shots that won the game.
Sit back, turn up the volume and relive the moment.
Yours in sport and foodservice design:
Food Strategy design team
We experienced the electric atmosphere when Brisbane Roar clawed their way to a nail biting win of the A League premiership/championship double against Central Coast Mariners.
The match was nil all at full time. During extra time the game equalised in the gripping final minutes to 2 all. Then to penalty shoot outs. The players had to earn this win - and they did.
For those fellow football freaks amongst us we thought you might enjoy seeing the 4 rocketing penalty shots that won the game.
Sit back, turn up the volume and relive the moment.
Yours in sport and foodservice design:
Food Strategy design team
The Courier Mail has a great report here
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Give Queenslanders a job Qld Floods 2011
Dear Friends,
You all know Qld flooded. We cleaned mud and stench from homes at an upmarket leafy suburb of Brisbane and The Wesley Mission production kitchen which feeds thousands of aged care folk every day.
We hosed mud from ceilings, slipped in slime, demolished walls and floors and dumped catering equipment. The smell was incredible, putrid.
Food Strategy isn't special. This is what tens of thousands of volunteers have done and are still doing as you read this. Volunteers have showed up from other states and countries as well as around Queensland.
Walk beside us for a few minutes - Let us take you to 'ground zero' in the war zone of the Qld Floods 2011.
These videos below tell 2 stories:
1) What's going on in the homes of flood victims
2) What restaurant and foodservices businesses are trying to recover from.
It will be the most grounding few minutes you will spend on You Tube.
We don't want your sympathy. We want jobs. Use a Queensland Business.
Please watch - then forward to as many people as you can. Help get our economy moving again.
VIDEO ONE - INSIDE FLOODED RESTAURANT
VIDEO TWO - INSIDE FLOODED HOMES
You all know Qld flooded. We cleaned mud and stench from homes at an upmarket leafy suburb of Brisbane and The Wesley Mission production kitchen which feeds thousands of aged care folk every day.
We hosed mud from ceilings, slipped in slime, demolished walls and floors and dumped catering equipment. The smell was incredible, putrid.
Food Strategy isn't special. This is what tens of thousands of volunteers have done and are still doing as you read this. Volunteers have showed up from other states and countries as well as around Queensland.
Walk beside us for a few minutes - Let us take you to 'ground zero' in the war zone of the Qld Floods 2011.
These videos below tell 2 stories:
1) What's going on in the homes of flood victims
2) What restaurant and foodservices businesses are trying to recover from.
It will be the most grounding few minutes you will spend on You Tube.
We don't want your sympathy. We want jobs. Use a Queensland Business.
Please watch - then forward to as many people as you can. Help get our economy moving again.
VIDEO ONE - INSIDE FLOODED RESTAURANT
VIDEO TWO - INSIDE FLOODED HOMES
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