OK, here’s the wrap up of the coolest discoveries from the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. For the first 6 cool things, read the last two posts, Part 1 and Part 2. These finds all have some significant restaurant marketing and branding value. Check them out and then apply the product or idea to your branding. If you agree, please share with your friends, if we missed something please do tell and tweet on twitter using #21coolestNRAfinds. Make sure and follow us on Twitter @Restaurantroad and @Brandingdiva too. 7.) Coolest “your table is ready”  lobster alert – LRS Long Range Systems (LRS) is a leading innovator of onsite communication systems. In 1995, these guys invented the popular coaster guest pager. Today they offer over 35 other products designed to help full-service and fast casual restaurants streamline operations, improve service and increase sales. Their cool pagers collection includes fun and [...]

I’ve been to a lot of trade shows in my time, but topping my list is the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. For more on the National Restaurant Association and the good work they do to promote, educate and advocate the $632 billion restaurant industry check out their site too. For the Brain Tattoo Branding team it was non stop food, fun and fabulous people for four days. From pickles to puffed pastries, to wine on tap, it’s been an amazing experience full of learning, making connections and tasting the next big food ideas from around the world. Continuing from Sunday’s post, here are 5 more of the coolest discoveries we made. If you agree, please share with your friends, if we missed something please do tell and tweet on twitter using #21coolestNRAfinds. Make sure and follow us on Twitter @Restaurantroad and @Brandingdiva too. 1.) Coolest brand – Revent, [...]

This weekend The Brain Tattoo Branding team has been in Chicago attending the National Restaurant Association Show. It’s been an amazing experience, learning, making connections and tasting the next big food ideas from around the world. The four day excursion has uncovered lots of interesting marketing and branding topics for the restaurant/hospitality industry and trends and ideas that we will cover in this blog in next coming months. To kick off the content rush, I’d like to start off by sharing the top coolest discoveries that Lauren (my chief problem solver) and I discovered at the 2012 National Restaurant Association show. Keep in mind there were over 1800 exhibits, 100,00 people from over 100 countries. Here are the top 21 products, people we encountered and experiences that we had and why we thought they were so worthy of this recognition. 1) The coolest branding campaign- Revent I was drawn to [...]

Like I said in my previous post, I was adventuring through Rhode Island recently and discovered a handful of new restaurants, many doing a great job of branding and serving the customer. My first night in Newport, I was greeted with wicked winds and a 45 degree big chill. This immediately put me in the mood for some local fare, specifically clam chowder. My hotel recommended Clarke Cooke House and an excellent choice it was. This harbor treasure serves up traditional coastal favorites along with more contemporary culinary dishes. Nautical-styled, socially a buzz and beaming with maritime history, Clarke Cooke House is a well packaged and branded dining experience. From the campy mermaid logo, to the walls of adventure filled with American pride touting sea legends and sailing victories, the restaurant’s story is clear—New England heritage, fresh seafood and good times. The restaurant does an admirable job of taking this [...]

This past week I had the pleasure of visiting Rhode Island. I was in Warwick for a workshop on self-esteem and business effectiveness. If you’ve not checked out my other blog (it’s geared to general branding and entrepreneurial topics) you should take a visit. I try to share some interesting stories, business lessons and life/balance tips. Since my meeting was just one day and I was so close to Newport, I decided to relocate my working office to The Chanler at Cliff Walk and extend my stay. I love being a free wheeling and spirited entrepreneur, because as long as there is electricity I can not only work, but experience some great adventures. And Newport was that and more. Here’s a few trip highlights and some note worthy hospitality and restaurant branding ideas. The Chanler at Cliff Walk is a magical place to stay. The 20 guest room mansion was [...]

An important brand asset for any restaurant is the chef. Whether your food master is trained at a top culinary school like The Cordon Bleu in Paris, in his mother’s kitchen or in a Chemistry and biology lab like famed Houston Chef and Ph.D carrying Robert Del Grande, branding a food professional can add instant credibility and interest to your business and restaurant brand. Why invest in branding your chef? Customers are attracted to the star power and human persona of a chef. A well-branded chef becomes a worthy reason the media will talk about you and give you publicity. Beyond your restaurant’s online footprint, you now have a new social media channel to touch customers and prospects. Your chef is another point of distinction for your restaurant that you can build from and own. 5 ways to cook up buzz and customers by branding your chef. 1) Protect the [...]