Page 84 - BCM June 2024

THE BEC INTERVIEW

performer — a position that can be upgraded. more critical than ever. We have a lot of overlap in the
menus. In some locations the same product is called
What do you do to retain your best performers? something different. We have core items that are appli-
For those people, we do as much as we can to help cable to all markets, and some products that are par-
them succeed. For our servers, how do we put them in ticular to a specific market. This is an area we’re always
position to sell the most food so they make the most looking at it, refining it and working to meet guest
tips so they won’t even think about leaving? Couple that expectations.
with a great culture and people will want to stay.
You also have to keep an eye on the prices.
Talk about your culture. You need to manage the margins, and the input costs
That’s by far the most important thing. People gener- are changing constantly. Chicken wing prices have
ally don’t look around for a new job if they’re happy changed 300% from low to high in four years. You can’t
with the culture, starting from the top and going all the just set it and forget it.
way down. Maybe somebody needs to make a certain
amount of money to make ends meet, so we give them Are the menus different in your bowling-focused
the tools to sell more and do it more quickly. Things like centers than they are in your venues that lean more to
hand-helds to take orders faster and get orders out fast- the FEC side?
er… kiosks so people aren’t stressed. I don’t care how I don’t think the traditional centers and FECs are
much suggestive selling you do, you’re not going to sell meaningfully different businesses, so no. People are
a product that has no demand, so you also need to have coming in for arcade gaming or to watch sporting events
the right product. or to bowl or for axe throwing or escape rooms or vol-
leyball, and they expect to eat. So it’s important to make
What’s the right food product at Triple Shift Entertainment? it easy and appealing for them to purchase food and
Our broad demographic is a big advantage and it also beverages. Our core competency is not as a culinary
can be a disadvantage. Focusing on that product mix is (continued on page 114)

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