This month, we had a very productive and informative discussion on rebranding and the risks and opportunities it can offer. Below are some of the tips given by operators who had rebranding:
There are many ways to rebrand. This could include:
- Large changes to the menu
- Changing your service model
- Changing your business name or logo
- Changing the look to your business or website
Consider how significant your changes are:
- Rebranding can be as significant as opening a brand-new restaurant, in both costs and energy
- Timing is everything, the hospitality industry ebbs and flows frequently.
- Rebranding does not need to mean a complete overhaul in look, service mode or offered food. Starting small can help you know if a change to your business can be effective.
- Listen to what your customers want before you make your changes. Make sure your rebranding appeals to what they want more than what you want.
Make the change based on customer wants:
- Make sure your changes are marketable.
- Every restaurant has a different customer base. To rebrand successfully, you need to know your audience.
- Make the changes based on what the customer wants. If you have a popular menu item, maybe offer varieties of that item.
We also had a brief discussion on meal breaks. If you would like further guidance on the topic, Washington Hospitality Association members can access the Handbook for Excellent Restaurant Operations (HERO) guide here.
Additionally, we went over early results of the 2025 general election. For up to date results, you can visit the King County election page here.
Thank you to Mezzanotte for hosting the Seattle Restaurant Alliance November membership meeting!
Next SRA Meeting:
Our next meeting date will be Dec. 3 and will be a holiday celebration featuring a gift card exchange. Follow updates from the Seattle Restaurant Alliance for updated location information.