What better day to start a Restaurant Equipment Blog than 4th of July! We are open today so I'll have to defer to slinging equipment and answering phones that call to me. My hopes that all have a great holiday that is prosperous and happy- Connie, One Fat Frog

Yes, the spelling above is correct. I mean just that: independent food service operators, owners and those who work for them. This week, July 1st to 7th is National Independent’s Week. It’s that time of the year to celebrate the backbone of the restaurant and food services industry. I am referring to those outlets totally independent of the big corporate chains. These are the ‘Mom and Pop’, ‘Chef-owned’ and operated restaurants, haute cuisine, white table cloth, bistros, cafés, roadhous… Continue

Appell Pie June 2008 Look Around I think we all are feeling the pinch by now from the economic downturn. I truly believe that those of us who can think outside of the box or just go with the flow rather than fighting it will survive and grow when it turns around. Stop wringing your hands and crying over how bad business is or could get in the coming months. Get smart and strong now to be successful later. Don’t be fooled into all the gloom and doom. People make fortunes in economic downturns a… Continue

Look Around I think we all are feeling the pinch by now from the economic downturn. I truly believe that those of us who can think outside of the box or just go with the flow rather than fighting it will survive and grow when it turns around. Stop wringing your hands and crying over how bad business is or could get in the coming months. Get smart and strong now to be successful later. Don’t be fooled into all the gloom and doom. People make fortunes in economic downturns and you can too by usin… Continue

I've been a Contributing Editor and writing for Howard's unique publication for more than eight years now. I finally decided to add to those thoughts with my own blog. It's called Restaurant Marketing Journal.com; and it's chock full of good stuff for independent food service operators who are really under the gun these days. We know about the lousy economy, the ridiculous gas prices (now it's "staycations" that are in vogue!) and the escalating food costs....whew! The idea is to give t… Continue