Pizza operations

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Supporting Local Charities

Supporting Local Charities

by David Klemt

Stacks of pizza boxes

When it comes to showing the community you serve that you care about the people in it, supporting local charities is a wise decision.

Indeed, it’s a choice that restauranteur, restaurant industry leader, author, speaker, and World Pizza Champion Mike Bausch endorses.

Last week, Bausch shared his tips for supporting local charities at the 2021 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The owner of Andolini’s Pizzeria in Oklahoma is also a Bar Hacks podcast guest. Click here to listen to episode 18.

The Wrong Way

First, Bausch encourages operators to always donate food, not money.

“Don’t be a gold Sponsor,” he says of the higher tiers of charitable donations. “Don’t be a silver sponsor.”

Of course, one reason to provide only food to a charity’s event comes down to costs. Let’s say an operator plans to donate five 20-inch pizzas (I know, not a huge donation—it’s just an example). On the high end, the food cost is $7 per pizza. That’s a donation of just $35 while still showing community support.

Second, promoting charitable donations. Simply put, don’t do it.

Bausch says to just provide the donations but not brag about it on social media or other avenues. In most cases, doing so wipes out good will from the community.

However, there is one exception: national charity events.

Third, some donations come in the form of silent auctions. In these instances, Bausch believes it’s perfectly acceptable to be over the top.

For example, silent auction items are often just an 8.5 x 11 sheet describing what a bidder can win. To stand out, Bausch says to go big with a branded basket loaded with several items. People will leave the event remembering the brand with the big basket.

The Right Way

Here, Bausch explains that he normally says yes to all charities. There are, of course, some exceptions. More on that below.

First, let’s take a look at a simple way to field donation requests. Bausch recommends adding a donation request page to a restaurant’s website. Doing so makes it easy for an operator to stay on schedule for donations and events.

The form also helps weed out the aforementioned exceptions. If someone seeking donations can’t even take the time to fill out the form, says Bausch, that identifies a red flag immediately.

Also, Bausch includes the following at the end of the request form: “A customer of Andolini’s?” (yes or no), and “Describe an experience (positive or negative) you’ve had at Andolini’s.”

Additionally, not every donation Bausch and Andolini’s make is necessarily for a charity. There are smaller groups of people with whom Bausch will seek good will.

Example: Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering groups. Bausch sees value in supporting so-called “fringe” groups, providing a place to host tournaments or food for their tournaments.

Bausch will also call the local police, ask when shift changes take place, and drop off pizzas.

When asked, inevitably, why he would just drop off free pizzas, his answer is simple: “Because we want to.”

Image: Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Connect with Us at Pizza Expo 2021

Connect with Us at Pizza Expo 2021

by David Klemt

Freshly baked pepperoni pizza on board

We’re currently attending the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas this week.

If you’d like to meet up, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or LinkedIn.

There are a lot of attendees to meet, education sessions to check out, and exhibitors to explore. However, we’ll be around so don’t be shy.

Where to Find Us

First, it’s awesome that trade shows and conferences are back in Las Vegas.

Linking online is convenient but nothing can really replace connecting in person.

That said, we’ll be at the International Pizza Expo all three days. Please, if you want to learn more about KRG Hospitality or the Bar Hacks podcast, feel free to connect.

Today, you’ll be able to find us at industry leader, pizza pro, restaurateur, and Bar Hacks guest Mike Bausch‘s “Community Marketing” seminar. Of course, we’ll also be attending his keynote on Wednesday.

But, back to today. You’ll certainly be able to find us at Scott Anthony’s “Old-school Marketing that Still Works,” and Nicole Russell and Anthony Falco’s “Today’s Top Pizza Trends” seminars.

If you’re looking for us on Tuesday, we know we’ll be attending Bausch’s “Menu Development Amidst COVID”; Nicole Bean’s “Logistics of Offering Multiple Pizza Styles”; and Sammy Mandell’s “Using Video to Grow” sessions.

Wednesday, the final day of this year’s International Pizza Expo, offers an array of can’t-miss education sessions.

We’re interested in the “Women in Pizza” panel featuring Nicole Bean, Rachel Cope, Denise Greer and Nicole Russell; Bausch’s “Third-party Delivery”; and the “Not Letting Covid Win” panel with Domenico Di Diana, Pasquale Di Diana, and Eric Rickman.

Of course, we’ll be walking the expo floor as well.

Las Vegas is Home

One of the major KRG Hospitality markets is Las Vegas. It’s where I’ve lived for nearly two decades.

So, if you want to grab a bite and a drink or even just want some tips for places to check out, reach out to me.

As home to one of Tony Gemignani’s Pizza Rock locations, it’s more than a little likely that you’ll spot us at this off-Strip pizza standout.

Image: amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash

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