Page 4 - OhioRA 2012SpringFlipBook

Over the past few years, restaurant operators and foodservice suppliers have been exposed to what has arguably been the most turbulent economic climate since the Great Depression. In addition to having to reduce expenses and rein in unnecessary costs across the board, they have also been challenged to expand their marketing tactics as more and more consumers rely upon the Internet and social networks when making a decision about where to dine.

The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) understands that many of our members do not have a signifcant amount of time to commit to studying industry reports and reading the countless business articles that pepper industry publications in order to hone their business strategies. For most business owners, their main goals are to increase their bottom line, to care for their staff and families and to

It’s for these reasons that the ORA has compiled its most current à la Carte. We want you to have one source where you can get information on industry projections related to economic forecasts, workforce needs, food and menu trends and much more. By closely consulting the National Restaurant Association’s 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast and other foodservice-related publications, the ORA hopes to have provided in these pages the answers to questions you may have about improving your operations in 2012 and beyond.

ORA BOARD MEMBERS

Robert Abruzzi – Abruzzi’s Hot Peppers Lynn Brown – Outback Steakhouse Jerry Cagle – Gordon Food Service, Inc.

Gary Callicoat – The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern Rick Cassara – John Q’s Steakhouse Thomas Coffman – The Clarmont Edward Elliott – Plaza Inn Family Restaurant Doug Fahrenholz – The Wasserstrom Company David Frissora – The Wendy’s Company Roy Getz – Raising Cane’s of Ohio

Brad Haber – Buffalo Wild Wings/Milano’s Subs Labib Hajjar – The Beirut Restaurant Mike Haunert – Sysco Cincinnati, LLC Angela Hornsby – Yum! Brands, Inc. George Hwang – The Pearl of the Orient Nick Kostis – Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant & Club Mario Parisi – Green Nature Mktg/I Supply Company Roger Parker – Mancy Brothers Catering, Inc. Ed Pickens – Ed Pickens’ Cafe on Main Ann Reichle – Angelina’s Pizza

Jamie Richardson – White Castle System, Inc. Stephen Shafer – Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Michael Short – Royalwood Caterers Mike Sopko – Carrabba’s Italian Grill Michael Sylvester – Hide-A-Way Buffalo Grill Sheila Trautner – Taste Hospitality Group Dan Young – Young’s Jersey Dairy, Inc. Joan Wagner – Plaza Inn Family Restaurant, NRA Liaison to the ORA

Ohio Restaurant Association à la Carte (ISSN 1524-5411) is published 4 times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by the Ohio Restaurant Association, 1525Bethel Road, Suite #201, Columbus, OH43220-2054. Subscription $8 per year for association members only. Periodical Class Postage paid at Columbus, OH and additional mailing offces.