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A Ghost Kitchen Business Incubator? Yep!

Post first appeared on RichmondMagazine.com.

Growing up, Jay Modi was immersed in the world of food from an early age, helping his parents in their New Jersey pizza restaurants, answering phones, cleaning and eventually working the line in the kitchen. Passionate about all aspects of hospitality, Modi always knew that one day he wanted to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry, and after time spent in the finance world, that day has come. This summer, Modi and his team plan to debut ChefSuite, a ghost kitchen and food business incubator featuring 16 rentable, 200- to 400-square-foot spaces for entrepreneurs to work their magic.

Following a decade-long stint in finance, in 2019 Modi took the leap to kick-start his dreams, quitting his job and purchasing a food truck. Then the pandemic hit.

“That’s when I began exploring something called ghost kitchens,” says Modi, co-CEO and chief operating officer of ChefSuite.

Foregoing dine-in service, ghost kitchens serve food for delivery and takeout only. The model has been on the rise since the onset of the pandemic and allows flexibility for both business owners and patrons.

“[I] kind of came up with this idea of, what if we take a step back and we really put this tenant first,” Modi says. “Where we make sure that they’re going to be successful, make sure that they have all the tools and everything else that they will need in order to operate this business to its full maximum potential.”

Modi reached out to longtime friend Jarnail Tucker, co-CEO and chief information officer of ChefSuite, who also saw the need for a business that provided support to people in the industry. 

“Whether it’s marketing, operational, financial support, all these different things that are in the existing industry — people aren’t really offering anybody help,” Tucker says. “So that’s where the conversation kind of organically started to form. From, ‘Well, what if somebody did offer all this stuff, and they gave you the support system you needed? Would you be successful?’ And [Modi was] like, ‘Absolutely.’ ”

ChefSuite hosted an open house May 16 for prospective tenants to tour the space. One question asked more than anything else by attendees: “Why Richmond?” As three non-Richmonders, Modi, Tucker and Chief Marketing Officer Samira Modaressi say they felt it was time to bring more attention to the Richmond food scene. They also plan to open a location in Atlanta by the end of the year.

“I’ve always known that Richmond has this deep food and arts/culture scene that really doesn’t get enough hype outside of Richmond, which is shocking to me because there’s just so much happening there,” Tucker says. “There’s always new concepts popping up, and people are willing to try anything.” 

Tenants have the choice between a six-, nine- or 12-month rental contract and are offered a variety of services, such as monthly financial reporting, onboarding assistance on third-party apps, menu-building, a service team for front of house, marketing support, food consulting and partnerships with local food purveyors. The team pride themselves on transparency and say they want their tenants to feel supported, knowing how daunting the process of getting a restaurant started can be.  

“We’re more of a partnership than anything with them, guiding them through the space, helping them when they need help, and kind of standing back and letting them thrive when they’re ready to do so,” Modaressi says.

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RVA Food Events to Know: June 11-14!

Looking for something fun to do?! Love food?! Check out all of these upcoming food events around RVA brought to you by Richmond Magazine:

  • Que Pasa Festival, Canal Walk (June 11): After a pandemic hiatus, the annual event that celebrates Hispanic and Latin American cultures is back.
  • Oyster Jam, The Veil Brewing Co. Funkhaust Cafe (June 11): Throw a few back, including special cellar pairings, during the Richmond debut of Salty Bottom Blue oysters.
  • The Richmond Night Market, 17th Street Farmers Market (June 11): Live music, 40 vendors, food trucks and shopping under the stars
  • Unlocking RVA Brunch on the Plaza, Kanawha Plaza (June 12): The outdoor brunch that’s been described as “family reunion meets backyard cookout”
  • Make It a Double With Shelly Sackier, Reservoir Distillery (June 12): The author discusses her latest work about her whiskey journey, plus bourbon pairings.
  • Jake’s Trip to Italy Tasting, Jardin (June 12): Explore unique vintages from the Piedmont region.
  • Sicilian Summer, Pizza Bones (June 14): The carb-centric pop-up Pasta Cultura returns with classic street food and pasta, bottles from the motherland, and dolci.  

Whatever you decide to do, there’s one thing for certain: there’s no shortage of good food and drinks in RVA! Enjoy!

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Top 5 Food Trends of 2022

It’s no secret that many things have had a serious impact on the restaurant industry – from labor shortages to supply-chain issues, restaurants have had to get creative to survive – and it’s been TOUGH. In addition to these internal issues, many diners are still nervous to sit in crowded restaurants and prefer take-out to enjoy in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Here, The Manual shows us 2022’s top 5 food trends!

Ghost Kitchens – taking food to go is not going away anytime soon – even big companies like Wendy’s and Buca di Beppo are getting in on the action – Wendy’s is planning 700 ghost kitchens in the next 5 years! Research suggests this could be a trillion dollar industry over the next decade!

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  • Plant Power – vegan salmon, tuna sashimi and even bacon! More and more establishments are featuring plant-based menu options as more Americans embrace a vegan lifestyle.
  • Sustainable Packaging – At Metro Supplies, we proudly provide our clients with an array of sustainable options. Biodegradable straws and simple cardboard boxes are some green options restaurants can use to keep their customers happy while helping the environment.
  • Limited Menus with a Dash of Creativity – sky-high food prices and supply chain issues have forced restaurants to rethink their “typical” menus. According to the National Restaurant Association, 8 out of 10 restaurants have been forced to change their menus. Creating a more limited menu featuring truly delicious food choices help reduce labor and supply costs.
  • Food Fusions – more and more chefs are experimenting with try new cuisines and combining different styles of cooking. The possibilities are endless!
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2021: A busy year for the RVA restaurant scene!

Post originally appeared on RichmondBizSense.com

It’s hard to remember a more highly-anticipated spring for diners than that of 2021, as the warmer weather coincided with wider COVID-19 vaccine access and a return to dining rooms all over the Richmond region.

Heaps of restaurant news followed: New concepts were announced, local restaurant groups expanded their footprints, and plenty of old restaurant spaces were given new life.

Richmond restaurant news in 2021
Derek Cha, left, and Mike Kim launched Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken in May, with the first location of the chicken sandwich joint opening in Ashland. (BizSense file photos)

Expansions

Tazza Kitchen’s Susan and John Davenport looked west for their latest concept, Conejo Cocina Mexicana, which is set to open in the forthcoming Westhampton Commons development. Brett Diehl of The Cocky Rooster also went westward, signing a lease in GreenGate to bring Short Pump a version of his Fan-born chicken spot.

Enrico “Jo Jo” Armetta is the owner of Jo Jo’s Famous Pizza.

Others looked south, such as Enrico Armetta, who made the leap to add a Midlothian location of his longtime downtown pizzeria Jo Jo’s Famous Pizza. Brad Barzoloski also went to Chesterfield for a location of his Capitol Waffle Shop in the Shops at the Arboretum.

EAT Restaurant Partners continued to expand into Richmond’s surrounding counties in 2021, opening a second PBR location (this time in Hanover County) as well as preparing to open a Wong’s Tacos restaurant in the Winterfield Crossing mixed-use development in Midlothian.

Ice cream chain Gelati Celesti kicked off plans to expand its Short Pump outpost and dished out a second Virginia Beach location in November.

Pop-ups and food trucks going permanent

 Pop-ups — temporary concepts often operated within another restaurant on limited days of the week — saw a spike in popularity over the last year, and a few did well enough to land brick-and-mortar spots in 2021.

Among them was Buttermilk and Honey, a takeout-friendly fried chicken concept Lillie Pearl owners Kimberly Love-Lindsey and Mike Lindsey started last year and took full-time in Short Pump. The married couple also became the new operators of Pop’s Market downtown.

The owners of the Jasper in Carytown occasionally turned their bar into a summertime noodle bar dubbed Slurp, and this fall they signed a lease to give the concept a full-time home in Union Hill.

JewFro, an African-Jewish fusion concept by the owners of Soul Taco, opened a permanent location in Shockoe Bottom this year after its original launch as a pop-up restaurant.

Soul Taco’s owners decided to make their Jewish and African fusion concept JewFro a permanent fixture of the local restaurant scene, opening in Shockoe Bottom after the concept had a run as a pop-up earlier in 2021.

A handful of food trucks also went the brick-and-mortar route.

Two operators found the Shops at Wellesley to be a perfect place to drop anchor. It started over the summer when John Vest found a brick-and-mortar space for his Redemption BBQ, then a few months later Thai Won On set up shop next door.

In the Fan, Westray Paul is turning his ice cream truck into an ice cream shop at 214 N. Lombardy St.

The pandemic also accelerated the arrival of ghost kitchens, the delivery-only spots where restaurateurs can set up shop without having a front door for customers to come through.

ChefSuite is working to open a kitchen on West Broad near Staples Mill, while a bit further east on Broad Street, Cloud Kitchens, run by a former Uber CEO, bought some space adjacent to The Hofheimer building.

New chains and concepts

Some local restaurant industry veterans kicked off new concepts in 2021.

Sweetfrog founder Derek Cha got in on the hot chicken sandwich craze in May when he opened his first Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken in Ashland. Cha also kicked off expansion of the concept in 2021, opening in Fairfax with plans for locations to open in Short Pump and near Regency in early 2022.

Sedona Taphouse owner Dennis Barbaro announced plans for a new concept called Napa Kitchen and Wine, which is slated to open in early 2022.

Garland Taylor opened Caribbean-inspired taco restaurant Sloop John B at Regency in November.

The year saw the opening of Sloop John B, a Caribbean-style taco restaurant by Garland Taylor that joined the Regency mall amid its revitalization effort in November.

Chains large and small from out of town also touched down in Richmond last year, including three taquerias.

Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos signed a lease in Carytown and is eyeing a 2022 opening, as is North Carolina’s Cabo Fish Taco in Scott’s Addition. Staunton-based Chicano Boy Taco opened in Midlothian in the fall.

From left, Philly Vegan owners Ratha Chhay, Samuel Veney and Celicia Hartridge, and Veney’s sister Tee.

pair of Philly cheesesteak restaurants debuted over the summer with Philly Vegan opening in Manchester and Str8 Out of Philly in Jackson Ward.

After his experience with Burgerim went south and led to a legal battle, local restaurateur Joey McCullough became a franchisee of California-based Fatburger.

Natalie Moore is the owner of Ruff Canine Club, which will be the first dog park-bar in the Richmond region when it opens near Scott’s Addition.

Natalie Moore is the owner of Ruff Canine Club, which will be the first dog park-bar in the Richmond region when it opens near Scott’s Addition.

Over near The Diamond, Natalie Moore opened a wholly new-to-Richmond concept in Ruff Canine Club, the region’s first dog park bar.

Old spaces, new faces

A common theme of 2021 was new restaurants taking over spaces that were vacated in recent years. Here’s a list:

New restaurantFormer tenantLocation
Ariana KabobFarouk’s House of India3033 W. Cary St., Carytown
Got DumplingsDeep Run Roadhouse309 N. Laurel St., VCU
CocodriloCaturra on Grove5811 Grove Ave., West End
Cobra BurgerDutch & Co.400 N. 27th St., Church Hill
Pinky’sUrban Farmhouse3015 Norfolk St., Scott’s Addition
Go BirdDunkin’6801 Forest Hill Ave., Forest Hill
Chewy’s BagelsJean-Jacques Bakery3138 W. Cary St., Carytown
Henley on GraceThe Red Door314 E. Grace St., Monroe Ward
MPM (Mom’s Siam, Pik Nik, My Noodle & Bar)Carolina Ale House11275 W. Broad St., Short Pump
BigWife’s Mac ‘n CheeseGrowlers To Go1017 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Scott’s Addition
Island Shrimp Co.Conch Republic11 Orleans St., Rocketts Landing
Phase 27Bistro 2727 W. Broad St., Monroe Ward
Saheb Indian BistroPescado13126 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian

Booze news

Relative to years past, 2021 was a quiet one for beer and craft beverage news, with only one new brewery opening in the area: Holy Mackerel in Prince George. The new year is looking to be busier, with at least four new breweries planned to open in 2022.

Triple Crossing Beer opened its taproom at Winterfield Crossing in December, Norfolk-based Benchtop Brewing Co. is working on its Manchester taproom, brewery/meadery/winery Three Leg Run is in the works in Chester, and work is underway on Trapezium Brewing Co.’s Church Hill location.

Coffee moves

The year in coffee saw some local shops add new spots around town.

Ironclad Coffee Roasters signed a lease in western Henrico in November for its second location, which is slated to open in early 2022. In the spring, Blanchard’s Coffee opened a new location, taking over the former Lamplighter Coffee Roasters spot on Morris Street.

Another coffee crew, Little Bean Coffee Co., announced plans for a sister ice cream shop in Mechanicsville, which opened in the summer.

And Starbucks made a noteworthy addition to the local coffee landscape in 2021 with a new takeout-only spot in the Fan that opened in September.

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Virtual Restaurant? What’s That?!

Story appeared on 6News Richmond.

RICHMOND, Va. — To say Daquan and Nicole Woodberry have a lot of irons in the fire would be an understatement. The chef and entrepreneur power couple hopes to transform the way Richmond orders food with both the LoCo food delivery app and virtual restaurants.

“A virtual restaurant is essentially a restaurant within a restaurant. It thrives and operates solely off of delivery platforms,” Dequan, who goes by Chef DQ, explained. “So if you go on any of the delivery apps such as [his app] LoCo, Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash. And you’re like, hey, I want fried chicken sandwiches, and you’re scrolling down and you’ll see [his new brand] Absurd Bird pop up. Well, you’ll be able to order. And that food will be made at [his restaurant] RVA Cafe and it’ll be delivered to you and you may or may not know is coming from RVA Cafe. So the big thing here is a lot of bigger chains and a lot of bigger corporations are getting into this. Maybe people have heard of Hootie’s Burger Bar, that’s a virtual restaurant from Hooters. But you walk into Hooters and they’re going to look at you like you’re crazy If you come ask them for a Hootie’s burger. They’re like, we don’t know what that is, the servers are sometimes unaware. So this is how the world is changing. And it was happening way before COVID. But you know, being honest, COVID accelerated that process pretty much five times over.”

Interview with Daquan and Nicole Woodberry on “Eat It, Virginia! with Scott and Robey”

Daquan, who served in the Marines, said he learned his work ethic from his father Maurice and was inspired to follow his dreams by his wife Nicole.

“When I say she saved my entire life she did. I was in a really dark space. I had just come out of the Marine Corps. I was actually injured. So I’m more than thankful, that God spared life on that end and I’m still able to function because I have friends that can’t,” Daquan said. “She really refreshed my life. She really came and poured life back into me and kind of encouraged me to go and find what I love to do. So that’s actually what led me to be a chef. She said do what you love. And, you know, she supported me the whole entire way.”

Several years and businesses later, Daquan admits it’s more than support.

“Now she’s the real boss of the whole business,” he said. “I just sit here and look pretty. She does everything else.”

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It’s Richmond Restaurant Week, Y’all!!

It’s time to show your love for your local faves! Richmond Restaurant Week is here through October 31. And this time, not only do you get to enjoy the amazing food your local places offer, you get to support the community as well. This is how it works:

How it works:

FIRST, CHOOSE YOUR RESTAURANT(S)

With over a two dozen local restaurants participating, you are sure to find a longtime favorite or brand new love to explore and taste. Each restaurants’ menu will vary depending on their current offerings. There won’t be any special meals for RRWeek, but there will still be loads of incredibly delicious fare to choose from.

SECOND, CHOOSE YOUR DINING LOCATION

Each restaurant’s locations will vary, but you may have the option to eat inside, al fresco, or opt for take out or delivery. Spruce up your weeknight meal with delivery, plan a social distanced weekend event, or grab takeout and enjoy a picnic outdoors! The options are endless.

THIRD, CHOOSE YOUR DONATION AMOUNT

Finally, when you make your order, don’t forget to add a donation to Feed More! Each participating restaurant will have $5 donations available on their online menu for the duration of RRWeek. A $5 donation provides up to 20 meals for a neighbor in need. Feeling generous? Toss a few fivers in the cart and help Feed More give even more to our community’s most vulnerable populations.

Visit https://www.rrweek.com/dine-local-2021 for more information! Bon Appetit!

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New Restaurant Alert: Birdie’s!

We love hearing about new restaurants and spreading the word! This week, we’re learning all about Birdie’s – a coffee and sandwich joint by day and an oyster bar by night – opening in Common House social club!

Article appeared on RichmondBizSense.com.

A coffee house and seafood restaurant named Birdie’s will open in November at Common House in downtown Richmond. (Courtesy of Kate Thompson/Common House)

Delayed by the pandemic, a restaurant is finally set to land in Common House.

Birdie’s, which will be both a coffee house and seafood joint that specializes in oysters, is expected to open in early November at 305 W. Broad St.

The first floor restaurant will be open to diners who aren’t members of Common House, a Charlottesville-based co-working and social club brand that opened its Richmond outpost in October 2020.

Derek Sieg

“It’s very much its own standalone enterprise and experience,” said Derek Sieg, who co-founded Common House with Ben Pfinsgraff, of Birdie’s.

During the day the space will serve coffee and sandwiches, and during the evening it will operate as an oyster bar. The space will also feature a wine cellar.

“It’s things we love that we wanted here,” Sieg said. “I love coffee, Ben loves wine and we both love oysters and seafood.”

The restaurant plans to have seating for 20 people in its 1,000-square-foot space.

While the finer details of the menu and pricing are still being hashed out, sandwiches are expected to sell for $10 to $15, while seafood entrees are expected to be priced at $15 to $25.

Birdie’s won’t roast its own coffee. Details on its coffee offerings are “forthcoming,” a spokeswoman said.

The restaurant is expected to open with a dedicated staff of 10 people.

A distinct restaurant brand has been in the cards for Common House since it settled on its Richmond location. But the pandemic delayed the restaurant’s opening.

Ben Pfinsgraff

“We wanted to open Birdie’s around the time the club opened but with COVID that wasn’t a viable path forward,” Pfinsgraff said.

Birdie’s is the first and so far only restaurant concept to be paired with a Common House location. The size and location of Common House’s Richmond location, which is 25,000 square feet, spurred conversations about ways to fill out the space.

“It felt like what the neighborhood would really benefit from,” Sieg said. “Common House as an experience is its own thing and it’s not like a small bustling packed bar with a casual experience. It was exciting to think of a new concept.”

In addition to locations in Charlottesville and Richmond, Common House opened a third location in May in Chattanooga. The Richmond location has more than 1,500 members.

Regular membership is $150 a month for an individual. Members who are under 30 or students pay a $75 monthly fee for an individual membership. An out-of-town membership (for people who live an hour or more away and expect to use the space infrequently) is $50 a month for an individual.

Also in the neighborhood, a new small-plates restaurant is taking shape in the former Bistro 27 space.

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How to Optimize Your Restaurant’s Google My Business Listing

The days of hungry people driving down the street looking for a restaurant to try are gone. Now, people turn to the internet; specifically, Google, to help them find the perfect place to eat. 

Google has become the go-to source for people discovering new restaurants. This is because an increase of 46% of Google searches are now locally focused. These searches often consist of adding terms like “near me” or “in [City Name]” onto the end of the search phrase to limit results to local businesses.

In this post, we’re going to focus on a tool every restaurant should be fully capitalizing on to successfully market their business online and increase their profitability — Google My Business.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy-to-use tool that allows you to promote your business online through Google. With GMB, you create a Business Profile for your restaurant, and it helps connect you with customers on Google Search and Maps. 

Why Is It Important?

Local search SEO (search engine optimization) on Google is one of the most powerful tools to increase your restaurant’s online visibility and attract new customers. 

When people are in a hurry to find answers, they rely on the top of the search engine results that Google gives them. So, no matter how great your restaurant’s website is, you may still fail to capture curious consumers if they see outdated information in your GMB listing.

Creating and maintaining your Google My Business profile is well worth the effort since it comes with a whole host of benefits, including increasing your business’s visibility and making a more positive, powerful first impression.

The Top 8 Google My Business Features for Restaurants

Hopefully, you’ve already claimed your GMB listing and added your necessary business information. Your Business Profile should have your restaurant’s name, address, phone number, and hours. 

This is a great place to start, but there are plenty of other opportunities to enhance your GMB listing.

Let’s go over GMB features you should take advantage of. These will help increase your online exposure, search ranking, and customer base.

1. Description

The first feature that will enhance your listing is adding a business description. This section is your opportunity to tell people what makes your restaurant unique. Here are a few talking points you should consider including in your description:

  • Cuisine: First, make sure you tell customers what kind of food you serve. Does your restaurant serve a regional cuisine like Chinese or Indian? Or a fusion cuisine like Tex-Mex? Also, make sure to include a specialized cuisine like vegan or gluten-free if it applies to you. Here is where you want to let diners know what kind of food they can expect to find on your menu. Stating your cuisine plays a significant role in people’s results for ‘near me’ searches. 
  • Atmosphere: What’s the atmosphere or vibe in your restaurant? Are you a fast-casual joint, a quaint cafe, or an upscale restaurant? The atmosphere of a restaurant is just as important to many people as the food they serve. 

The maximum length is 750 characters, but it will be shortened if you write a longer description. Be sure to frontload the most crucial information, but try to keep it brief and to-the-point. 

Here’s a screenshot of what Magnolia Table’s GMB listing looks like for reference to the right. Their description showcases their garden-to-table cuisine, hip vibe and is straightforward. 

2. Reservations & Ordering

Another great way to optimize your GMB listing is using the reservation feature. The reservation feature allows you to include a booking link in your profile.

Adding a booking button to your GMB listing is an excellent way to streamline your guests’ reservation process. You want to have an online reservation system that integrates with Google, such as CAKE’s Guest Manager

Take a look below and notice that the booking times shown are from the restaurant’s reservations system through Guest Manager.

Similarly, GMB listings have also become a place where guests can order food online. Your restaurant’s online ordering system link can also be on your GMB profile. With this, GMB becomes a customer’s one-stop-shop for whatever they need to do to enjoy your restaurant’s food.

3. Menu

Did you know 93% of people look at online menus? Because of this, your restaurant needs to be using the menu feature on GMB. There are two different ways you can use this feature. 

The first method is to insert a direct link to your menu page on your website, as Magnolia Table does above. 

Another method is adding a menu button that will list out your food and drink items. The menu editor lets you add, edit names, descriptions, and prices. It even enables you to break up your menus by categories, such as cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. 

In this area, customers can also add menu photos that will appear above the listed menu. We will show an example in the next section!

4. Photos and Videos

If you want to get people’s attention, you should add some visual interest to your listing in the form of photos and videos.

These visuals don’t have to be of the food itself, though pictures of your most visually appealing dishes are certainly a great thing to feature. People also like seeing pictures of your restaurant’s exterior and interior so they can get an idea of what the seating and atmosphere are.

When you add pictures or videos to your GMB listing, Google will ask you to categorize the photo. For example, you could identify a picture of your restaurant’s front as an exterior photo of the business. 

Here are Magnolia’s featured menu photos on top of their listed menu. As you can see, a lot of these features complement each other and work together to showcase your restaurant’s best offerings. 

This allows people to click on categories of images and videos. It is helpful when there are many visuals associated with your restaurant listing, and they’re looking for something in particular.

Anyone can add pictures and videos of your business online, which will show up in your Google My Business listing. But don’t worry — you can control the visuals people see first when they Google your restaurant. You can also flag a photo for removal if it was actually taken at a different restaurant or is somehow inappropriate.

5. Posts

An underutilized feature of Google My Business that you don’t want to miss out on is Google posts. This feature allows you to create and share announcements. 

Think of these posts as social media status updates. Google Posts can include text, images, and even call-to-action buttons. 

Not sure what to post about on GMB? Here are some ideas:

  • Events: You can post about upcoming events like virtual cooking classes or live music. 
  • General updates: Update your customers on the latest COVID restrictions and safety precautions. Open for dine-in or only take-out? Whatever the update, let customers know.
  • Promotions: Let people know about any special promotions or discounts you have going on in Google Posts. Feature your seasonal menu items and limited-time offers.

6. Q&A Section

The Q&A section on your Google My Business listing is where any user can post a question about your restaurant. With this feature, anyone can also post answers in response. So, it would be best if you closely watched this section to provide fast and accurate responses. You can do this most effectively through the GMB app.

Q&A’s will stay on your listing, so you want to provide thorough answers that future users will find helpful. Also, it’s important to pay attention to the questions people ask. It can give you insight into details you may want to add to your website or social media profiles. For example, if you’re an ice cream parlor and someone asks whether you offer any dairy-free options, you may want to identify dairy-free items on your online menu.

7. Reviews

GMB lets customers review your business through your listing and enables you to respond to them. It is imperative to respond to both good and bad reviews as much as you can. 

Why is this important? 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their purchase decisions. 

Reviews help build your credibility, and customers tend to prefer businesses that engage with them.

8. Insights

Last but certainly not least, is the insights feature. Once you have your listing created, you’ll get a dashboard with invaluable data on your customer’s activity.  

Suppose you’re curious about how many people are booking tables through GMB. In that case, you can look at your booking history through your scheduling provider, which should let you know what percentage of reservations were made directly through your GMB listing.

Google Insights gives you several different ways to understand how customers interact with your listing. Here’s a list from Google:

GMB provides answers to all these actions and requests. This insight can help you see what strategies are working and which need some attention. 

Google My Business Updates for COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many businesses to deal with shutdowns, limited opening, and operations have changed indefinitely. Luckily, with GMB, you can communicate these changes with your customers ahead of time. 

The newest addition to GMB is the healthy & safety attribute in your listing. In this section, businesses can let their customers know about the safety measures they are enforcing, such as: 

  • Masks required for customers or staff
  • Temperature checks required for customers or staff
  • Appointments or reservations required

Another update within your listing you can use is the COVID-19 Post. With so many changes due to lockdowns, this post type will let you update your customers, and Google labels it as “COVID-19 related information.”

If you have a temporarily closed restaurant location, you should make this update in GMB as well. 

Takeaway

Adding the necessary information like your address and hours to GMB is only scratching the surface of what it can do to help you market your restaurant effectively and pull in new customers. 

Utilize GMB to its fullest potential by adding the features above to your Business Profile. Hungry diners will have all the information they need to go straight from their phone to your restaurant. 

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RVA Food News & Events!

Article originally appeared on RichmondMagazine.com.

Pizza_eileen-mellon.jpg
From “bar-style” pies to loaded hot dogs and plant-based junk food, check out the lineup of pop-ups and weekend events below. (Photo by Eileen Mellon

Sweet Carolina

Boasting a culinary diary packed with stories rooted in the Southern coastal states, Robyn Carter of Carolina Girl Catering offers a one-way ticket to the low country via shrimp and grits, gumbo, and more comfort-food classics. A North Carolina native, Carter relocated to Richmond from Austin, Texas, and is connecting with her new community through pop-up events and, eventually, a brick-and-mortar restaurant. (Richmond magazine)

For the Love of Diners

Reliable sources for wallet-friendly dishes, breakfast all day and retro mugs brimming with coffee from bottomless pots — a few of my favorite things — diners are a special place. Writer Genevelyn Steele also has heart-eyes for these old-school haunts, recently tracking down some local go-tos for chocolate-chip pancakes, burgers, fried fish and more. (Richmond magazine)

Take Pride

These Richmond neighborhoods are throwing a double dose of pride celebrations this Saturday, Sept. 18.

Returning for year three, the Scott’s Addition Pride Crawl kicks off at noon and features over a dozen of the neighborhood’s boozy businesses from The Veil Brewing Co. to Blue Bee Cider. Snag a passport to keep track of your libation journey, which grants access to a special drawing.

In Carytown, make pride pit stops at the legendary watering hole and karaoke dance palace Babe’s for dollar-off drinks, or head to Pho Luca’s for discounted apps to soak up all the hooch. Bonus: Also joining the Carytown Pride Crawl is Safe Space Market

Cooking and Comedy 

Beloved food nerd Alton Brown makes a return to Richmond on Oct. 28 during his fall tour, “Beyond the Eats.” Catch the Bill Nye of the culinary world and longtime host of shows including “Iron Chef America” and “Good Eats” at the Carpenter Theatre for a show that promises a smorgasbord of cooking, comedy and audience interaction. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m.

ICYMI

Richmond is home to the first-ever winner of Food Network’s “Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones.” Impressing judges from Ben and Jerry to rapper Ludacris, the owner of North Side’s Ruby Scoops recently took home the ice cream crown. (Richmond magazine)

Initially introducing a menu dedicated to fried chicken at their downtown restaurant Lillie Pearl, husband-and-wife duo Mike Lindsey and Kimberly Love-Lindsey recently rolled out a Short Pump eatery that embraces the crispy concept: Buttermilk and Honey. (Richmond magazine)

The culinary director of craft butchery Jackie Wayne Beef Co. is a big fan of sustainability and Texas-style chill. (Richmond magazine)

Last call for tickets to the annual Birdhouse Market Farm Dinner on Sept. 19, a local feast presented by Richmond chefs featuring produce from area purveyors with proceeds benefiting the midweek market.

It seems good things come in threes at Bell Greek restaurant. With one location in Midlothian, and a second opened in Chester in 2018, the family-owned eatery is now eyeing the West End. Look for the third location to debut at 7011 Three Chopt Road in the coming months. (Richmond BizSense)

The market game is strong in Richmond, and another is planning to join the party. Look for DevoeDid Events to unveil a grab-and-go concept, the Southern-tinged market Hickory & Oak, in the months to come at 10614 Patterson Ave. Also on the market horizon: A project from Upper Shirley Vineyards’ Carlisle Bannister and a smoky venture from Redemption BBQ.

After a three-year run, Don’t Look Back South is shutting its doors. The last day to score a potato taco or crispy carnitas at that location is tentatively set for Oct. 30.

Upcoming Events

  • Fall Fest, Starr Hill Brewery (Sept. 16-19): Channel autumn vibes via an Oktoberfest lager and a maple brown ale.
  • Tim’s Pizza Pop-up, Hatch Cafe (Sept. 17): Friday pie day returns with a weekly dose of the pop-up that dishes out squares and rounds. 
  • Community Health Block Party, Brewer’s Cafe (Sept. 18): Free COVID-19 testing and vaccines (with coffee drinks and juice for those who get a shot) available during the two-hour event from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Brookland Park Block Party, Brookland Park Boulevard (Sept. 18): Shop, snack and sip the North Side neighborhood. Fun fact: Cherry-vanilla sarsaparilla floats are totally a thing at Ninja Kombucha.
  • Sincero Pop-up, The Veil Brewing Co. (Sept. 18): Tacos and beer
  • Texas BBQ Meat Market, The Smoky Mug (Sept. 18): Saturday, smoked meats, specialty cocktails
  • Sour Aesthetics Release, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Sept. 19): A special release of the collab between Hardywood and Uncap Everything — a sour ale with peach, guava and a twist of lime — featuring art and tunes
  • Pride Richmond Moon Market, Stone Brewing Co. (Sept. 19): A celebration of local LGBTQ+ makers with a portion of draft proceeds benefiting Diversity Richmond
  • Unlocking RVA Brunch on the Plaza, Kanawha Plaza (Sept. 19): Brunch takes on a whole new meaning during the outdoor dance and dine party.
  • Horne Dogs Pop-up Part Two, Don’t Look Back South (Sept. 20): Hot dogs all ways, from deep-fried to topped with baked beans
  • Uniquely Different Sweets, Publix Apron Cooking School (Sept. 23): Learn to whip up everything from baked Alaska to mango hand pies.
  • Plant-based Junk Food in Richmond, Vasen Brewing Co. (Sept. 23): National company Vuture Food brings the comfort with vegan chicken sandwiches and loaded fries.
Posted on

The Latest Food News in RVA!

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If vegan risotto gets you excited, head below for the plant-based details surrounding this weekend’s Soul Vegan Block Party. (Photo by Eileen Mellon)

Post originally appeared on RichmondMagazine.com.

All of the latest and greatest food happenings and events around RVA you may have missed!

Dairy Queen 

Among the fans of local ice cream artisan Rabia Kamara’s cool concoctions? No big deal, just celebrities Kevin Bacon and Ludacris and the brains behind the Ben & Jerry’s empire. The VCU grad and co-owner of the North Side ice cream shop Ruby Scoops recently competed on and won Food Network’s “Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones” and has her eyes set on more sweet ventures in the future. (Richmond magazine)

Fry, Fry Again

Fried chicken is the star of the menu at the newly opened Buttermilk and Honey, a pandemic pivot turned pop-up success and now brick-and-mortar restaurant from husband-and-wife team Mike Lindsey and Kimberly Love-Lindsey. The owners of downtown’s Lillie Pearl and, more recently, Pop’s Market on Grace are giving us serious power couple vibes. (Richmond magazine)

Prime Cut

Dog treats, riffs on the sloppy Joe and ZZ Top may not be the first things that come to mind when one thinks of a craft butchery, but Jackie Wayne Beef Co. Culinary Director Garrett Eagleton says otherwise. Second in command at the local butcher and meat delivery service, Eagleton talks Texas chili, his relocation to Richmond and more meaty topics in our interview. (Richmond magazine)

Plant Power

After making its debut in 2019 and then having to cancel last year due to the pandemic, the plant-based party that aims to promote and diversify the vegan lifestyle is back. On Sept. 11, the Soul Vegan Block Party will host a five-hour event at Chimborazo Park that features a hefty lineup of plant-friendly eateries and vendors including Favour Cookie Co., SoulSmith Kombucha, Nomad Deli & Catering Co., 1115 Mobile Kitchen, and more. Come hungry, and come curious.

On the Farm Again

While their names may be familiar and their produce may be part of your weekly market haul, Real Local RVA’s 5th annual farm tour presents the opportunity to dig a little deeper with some area growers. Mark your calendars for Sept.18 and head to Mechanicsville’s Charlotte Acres — home to Shine Farms, Real Roots Food Systems and Hazel Witch Farm — for an outdoor nosh-and-learn session. Tickets are on sale now.

ICYMI

Get your croissant, cookie and challah on at the recently debuted Up All Night Bakery. The walk-up window from a seasoned pastry chef is open two days a week in Lakeside. (Richmond magazine)

The owner of Salsas Don Sebastian adores arepas and has a soft spot for spaghetti al limone. Learn more about the Venezuela native and mom in our latest spotlight. (Richmond magazine)

Monday restaurant closures can crush those dining dreams, but we’ve tracked down a collection of spots that stay open, and ones to skip, to help start the week right. (Richmond magazine)

Later, ‘maters. Savor tomato season before it’s too late, with a flaky tart recipe from The Roosevelt and tips on picking the ripest of the bunch. (Richmond magazine)

Drumroll, please. The winner of Gearharts Fine Chocolates’ custom flavor contest, a celebration of the chocolatier’s 20th anniversary that garnered a few hundred entries, is Strawberry Chutney. Expect the new bar to drop in coming months. The runner-up choices were inspired, too, with Peanuts and Cola as well as Pear Sangria getting a nod from Gearharts.

For all those welcoming the changing leaves and sweatshirt weather, Starr Hill Brewery is right there with ya. Beginning Sept. 15, the Scott’s Addition rooftop bar will host its annual Fall Fest, five days of food trucks, live tunes and festive brews including Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and in a few weeks Longoven’s Andrew Manning will head to Chicago to join chefs Noah Sandoval of Oriole and Ryan Smith of Staplehouse for the third annual dinner to benefit Vibrant Emotional Health, an organization that works with people to help achieve mental and emotional well-being.

RVA Love

A spoof on one of fast-food chain Chick-fil-A’s top-sellers, the Gay-Fil-A chicken sandwich at Carver dive bar and eatery Cobra Cabana recently got a shout-out in Ultimate East Coast Gay Road Trip Guide from Thrillist. Each week a portion of proceeds from sales of the strictly Sunday sammy goes to Side by Side, a local nonprofit that supports Virginia’s queer youth.

Upcoming Events

  • Sprezza Cucina Pop-up, The Coop (Sept. 11): Look for ricotta gnocchi, Bolognese pappardelle and more from this rustic Italian pop-up; preordering required.
  • Keya & Co. Pop-up, Tabol Brewing (Sept. 11): Ghee masala mac and cheese and frooti boxes are on the menu, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the NYC Fire Department.
  • The Cookout Drag Brunch, Charlotte’s Southern Deli & Tapas (Sept. 11): Start Saturday off in style with brunch and performances.   
  • Cider Festival, Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co. (Sept. 11): Venture to Virginia Beach for a gathering of cideries from the commonwealth, including Richmond-area favorites Buskey, Courthouse Creek and Blue Bee.
  • Royal Pig Pop-upThe Veil Brewing Co. Forest Hill Avenue (Sept. 12): Cambodian comfort food; menu TBA
  • High on the HogPublix Cooking School (Sept. 13): Learn how to prepare pork all ways during this hands-on class.
  • Summer Evening Artisan Market, Main Line Brewery (Sept. 15): Catch Tiffany’s Food Truck, Loquito Coquito cocktails and more.