• Starbucks to debut lower-calorie items, incl. paninis under $6 – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/UbWA #
• Love this… Letterpress Set of Six Twitter Bird Stationery and by PaperWheel http://ow.ly/UcmX #
• RT @webdesignledger: New Post: 100+ Seamless Patterns Great for Creating Website Backgrounds http://bit.ly/87f0Ds #
• Love this… More upcycling: sweaters into scarves – Springwise http://ow.ly/TleC #
• BizBash | 5 New Restaurants in Cultural Institutions http://ow.ly/Tvm9 #
• RT @WPEventStaffing: Top 5 word-of-mouth tips for restaurants | http://ow.ly/SL3g | #catering #food #marketing #
• This would be great opp for viral ads, make her a star! Police looking for woman caught on tape trashing a KC McDonald's – http://ow.ly/TFtx #
• Good Mktg via Tweet!! RT @SwissotelChicag: Don’t want to travel in the snow? Book Swissotel Winter Storm Rate – $99 http://tiny.cc/slchisnow #
• UPDATE: Applebee’s, Olive Garden also hit by beef recall – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/TFfa #
• Hmmmm… Interesting -> Eater LA: Confirmed: @rick_bayless Coming To LA! Heading Kitchen At Both Forthcoming Red Onions http://ow.ly/Ti0Y #
• Dining Chicago » Top 10 New Year’s resolutions for Chicago restaurants http://ow.ly/SZvo #
• Taco Bell Thinks Outside The Bun with "Drive Thru Diet" http://ow.ly/SVmq #
• Around the World With the Bodoni Family – Fun Graphic Design Book.. http://ow.ly/SZxZ #
• Foodchannel.com Announces Top Food Trends of the Decade — CHICAGO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ — http://ow.ly/SLRH #
• BizBash | Where to Entertain Beer Lovers http://ow.ly/SE7o #
• Host A Super “Super Bowl” or Playoff Party For Lots Less! http://ow.ly/SzBi #
• Good Post: How to Make an iPhone App http://ow.ly/16gpav #
• New menu items for the New Year – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/Sysl #
• Brandchannel | Wendy's Promotes Its Burgers Via Text Message http://ow.ly/Syma #
• I'm love, love, loving Windowfarms.. Turn our cities' windows into vertical veggie farms! Great urban development project! http://ow.ly/SAl6 #
• @Heather_Gill I know and I just learned how to do it right… http://ow.ly/SA8C and I love Photos with it, just thought that it was a funny. in reply to Heather_Gill #
• brown egg marketing Sample iTunes App via @GuyKawasaki : http://bit.ly/7iUNzw #
• Ha!!! 🙂 RT @snitty: Who wrote the rule of food photography that every dish must be partially out of focus? #

Tags: tweets, Twitter

• #FF for web design tips: @alltop_webdes @webdesignledger @andressilvaa @chicagowebdev @gravityjack @jasonsantamaria @99designs @crowdSPRING #
• These are all amazing. 40 Breathtaking Examples of Aerial Photography | Web Design Ledger http://ow.ly/R7dI #
• Good Post: VIDEO: Superhuman tape measure skills. – Superhuman tape measure skills. http://ow.ly/16dY1w #
• @RodHarlan Thanks for following! #

Tags: tweets, Twitter

Okay, so I have only been at this tweeting thing since July, but the reason I use Hootsuite for my tweets is that I am a stats junky! One of their features is the statistics feature. I constantly check which tweets are up and down and what are popular times and days of the week, etc… So without further adieu here are the top ten tweets of @browneggmktg for the year 2009.

1. Why Sales Guru Jeffory Gitomer loves going to Starbucks http://ow.ly/Mlu3
2. BizBash launches Sched* http://ow.ly/DLSr @BizBash_News
3. Gapers Block : Drive-Thru : Chicago Food – What’s This Organic Doing In My Drink? http://ow.ly/IaTq
4. Can anyone give additional insight?!? This just in: Bacon confiscated from @rick_bayless restaurant – WGN http://ow.ly/MUe0
5. Aw Snaps! 🙂 Martha Stewart Slams Rachael Ray – omg! news on Yahoo! http://ow.ly/DODf
6. This might be really damaging. Brandchannel | Subway’s Brand Could Have a Large Jared Problem http://ow.ly/Ib3x
7. Good Post: Hip Hanukkah Gifts! (plus shmatte stuffers) http://ow.ly/167NZD
8. Me and Chef Alvaro Chavez – http://ow.ly/DxCi
9. Sad iDon’t have an iPhone. Foodie App Launches | Chicago – DailyCandy http://ow.ly/HwE1
10. Businesses Can Use Twitter to Predict Sales – WSJ.com http://ow.ly/Hvuw

So there you have it. It will be interesting to see how things fare in 2010… Or will there be another service I use instead of Twitter #in2010 ? Comments are encouraged.

• Had this idea a year ago… Love it! Restaurant lets patrons make their own pancakes – Springwise http://ow.ly/Pn3K #
• Good Post: INSIGHT: Next time you want to illustrate a flow or http://ow.ly/16cVdf #
• Love it! RT @cityprovisions: Why work in customer service if you posess no skills to serve? Happy holidays to all sales folks. A. B. C. #
• Yummm! TastingTable Chicago | Half Acre Beer Company's Big Hugs Imperial Stout with Dark Matter coffee http://ow.ly/OEpb #
• This just seems wrong! Bark4Beer Collar | Uncrate http://ow.ly/OEmI #
• Very Sad. 312 Dining Diva — Bluprint Closes After Two Years in Merchandise Mart http://ow.ly/OpGw #
• Steak n Shake is food and beverage industry’s most expensive stock – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/OAAl #
• RT @crowdSPRING: Sneak a peek at the creative process during the doodling stage of logo making – http://bit.ly/64NBSR (via @Behance) #
• Thanks! RT @WestLoopChiro: #ff @browneggmktg @willenglishiv @fellerbus @simasays @lizstrauss @gracesergio @robinwalker @billcrosby #
• Good Post: LOCATION SCOUT: 2 Blank-Canvas Venues for Promotional Events http://ow.ly/16b5ze #

Tags: tweets, Twitter

The failure of a small cafe is not a question of competence. It is a sad given. The logistics of a food establishment that seats between 20 and 25 people (which roughly corresponds to the definition of “cozy”) are such that the place will stay afloat—barely—as long as its owners spend all of their time on the job. There is a golden rule, long cherished by restaurateurs, for determining whether a business is viable. Rent should take up no more than 25 percent of your revenue, another 25 percent should go toward payroll, and 35 percent should go toward the product. The remaining 15 percent is what you take home. There’s an even more elegant version of that rule: Make your rent in four days to be profitable, a week to break even. If you haven’t hit the latter mark in a month, close.

– Coffee Shop Owner Micheal Idov (source)

Are there any other “Golden Rules” in food service that you have heard of? Please comment with ones you know of.

Tags: finance, operations, restaurant

• RT @photographer111: If you like food photography this is different http://bit.ly/8sMLQf Where's the British flag? Or USA? #
• Thxs Steve! @steveGOgreen: #ff great co.s to follow @DigitalHub @GetFlippedChi @garrettpopcorn @fiveACCESSORIES @redheadpianobar & @CupofGO #
• Author William Poundstone Dissects the Marketing Tricks Built Into Balthazar's Menu — New York Magazine http://ow.ly/NbYJ #
• RT @crowdSPRING: If you develop/design websites – you'll want to see this Google tool – http://bit.ly/7i4kJo #
• Thanks @tomatofest & @mrbrownthumb for the direction. #
• Judging from: http://ow.ly/N4fI @rick_bayless busted b/c it was Wis inspected only. IL law states either USDA or IL inspection. #
• Found while researching @rick_bayless story: Quinn signs bill requiring state agencies to buy Illinois food products Aug09 http://ow.ly/N3VM #
• Way late RT… but I couldn't agree more. "Fresh" made me feel more full. @cityprovisions – Finally saw "Food, Inc." I … http://ow.ly/MVbM #
• Can anyone give additional insight?!? This just in: Bacon confiscated from @rick_bayless restaurant – WGN http://ow.ly/MUe0 #
• BizBash | 2 New Independent Meeting Spaces in Chicago. http://ow.ly/MMGD #
• @TheYarden Thanks for the follow! #
• Fast food rules list of most memorable new products – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/MHQx #
• Just watched the free 6 ways to make money on the internet video from @shoemoney sign up to see it http://bit.ly/6p0YGw #
• Why Sales Guru Jeffery Gitomer loves going to starbucks. http://ow.ly/Mlu3 #
• I entered 99designs Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $1000 Design Package: http://bit.ly/5uo4Xt #
• I enjoy economics mixed with food. Good Post. Casual Kitchen: Survivor Bias: Why "Big Food" Isn't As Evil As You Think http://ow.ly/M0kc #
• This would be great for event setups. iTimelapse for iPhone. See the effect here: http://ow.ly/LgWn #
• Ugh. No way! RT @tomatofest Another break-in @GreenGrocerChic last night. One of the best #Chicago food businesses http://bit.ly/6Lla5i #
• Sounds delicious. RT @therealpig: Making mustard, ginger and honey rstd prk tenderloin with roasted carrots. #
• Good Post: Mistletoe Kisses in Chocolate – The Kissletoe! http://ow.ly/168XF2 #
• That is crazy !! RT @TheGourmetGirl: Candy Corn is the only candy in the history of America that's never been advertised. #
• New Poll: What is your favorite reality based Chef Competition? Top Chef? Chopped? Vote Now – http://ow.ly/L6mI #
• 37signals | Beyond the Pedway | Weekly video podcast highlighting Chicago's creative copmanies http://ow.ly/L6qn #
• New Poll: What is your favorite reality based Chef Competition? Top Chef? Chopped? Vote Now – http://ow.ly/L6m7 #
• Pretty Awesome! How to Create Smoky Brushes and Type In Illustrator CS4 – Vectortuts+ http://ow.ly/L0js #
• Burger King's Racy Ad Campaign Subservient Shower Girl Hits U.K. – Global News – Advertising Age http://ow.ly/KYV6 #
• Ugh … Where has this towel – http://ow.ly/KYT2 – been my whole life? #

Tags: tweets, Twitter

“We’ve found that you need uninterrupted stretches of time in order to get any work done. Like you need 3 hours when you are not busy or where no one is bothering you to get work done. It is really hard to do that in an office, which is why most people end up working at home, really late at night or really early in the morning before anyone gets in to the office, because they don’t actually work in the office anymore because there’s too many interruptions.”

– – Jason Fried, 37signals [source]

I love this because that has been my experience the last 3 years working for myself and a few companies.

Tags: 37signals, getting things done, Quotes, software

• Sweet – Just added myself to @thepioneerwoman new social network, Tasty Kitchen. Become my friend here: http://ow.ly/KOa9 #
• Another awesome Kitchen item I need, Food Pod. http://ow.ly/KZlS #
• New York Bagel & Bialy in Lincolnwood! The Best! @Audarshia: Today is Natl " Have a Bagel!" Day. Where do u get urs? (via @Foodimentary) #
• Event #FollowFriday @partybluprints @camerontoth @fftchicago @1stFreshPhilly #
• How To Explain To Clients That They Are Wrong – Smashing Magazine http://ow.ly/KBX1 #
• The most recommended casual-dining chains – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/KBwa #
• The majority of these are more General, than focused. The most recommended casual-dining chains – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/KBxw #
• RT @webdesignledger: New Post: 10 Tips for Creating Compelling Web Copy http://bit.ly/5urJbv #
• Loving "Five Second Test." Great tool for Web #Design: http://ow.ly/KBPa #
• Mmmmm – Momofuku Crack Pie?!?! Campusfork- Food Reviews and Photos http://ow.ly/Ke8R #
• RT @ProPhoto101: *** The best book available on food photography – http://tinyurl.com/y8t7jhv #
• Christmas Table Settings Christmas at Epicurious.com http://ow.ly/Ke5G #
• RT @FairFoodFight: RT @leezukor @SilvanaMondo @SlowFoodUSA: TIME links H1N1 to factory farming. http://bit.ly/8Qd6jI #
• Five Deliciously Deceptive Desserts – San Francisco Restaurants and Dining – SFoodie http://ow.ly/Ke7W #
• Good Post: Hip Hanukkah Gifts! (plus shmatte stuffers) http://ow.ly/167NZD #
• You forgot #4 @guykawasaki – Write interesting tweets. How to Change the World: How you can get retweeted – Holy Kaw! http://ow.ly/K4I8 #
• "The real reason … bananas are a necessity" Hmmm? Really? RT @brandmonkey: Bananas resist economic crisis. http://ow.ly/KgU9 #
• Magic Johnson on his growing foodservice business – Nation’s Restaurant News http://ow.ly/Ke2Y #
• Blogging Tips : Zen text editor aims to help writers concentrate – Springwise http://ow.ly/KgPq #
• Gill Sans? R U sure it was not a nightmare? RT @k8iedid: Dreamt about an all-text circle logo written in Gill Sans Bold. #
• "assuming some editor didn’t lose his or her job" — I think google would be better job security than WSJ. http://post.ly/E43B #
• Brandchannel | I'm Chiquita Banana And I've Come To Say: I'm Back! http://ow.ly/JStu #
• Good Post: DIY Holiday Wreaths http://ow.ly/167xRW #
• Good Post: super adorable gifts for someone with a sweet tooth; La Senza Cupcake PJs, Robes and Accessories http://ow.ly/167xRV #
• Good Post: 101 Motivational Business Quotes http://ow.ly/167xRU #
• RT @farrah77: We're still donating $1 per RT (max $500) w/#rt2eat from #seschi to benefit Chicago Food Depository. ^GP (via @marketwire) #
• Think you're dining 'green'? Menus won't always tell you. – washingtonpost.com http://ow.ly/JSHv #
• Brandchannel | Starbucks Battles Local Roaster Over "Charbucks" http://ow.ly/JSsN #
• Good Post: Bayless Has Best Tweet Ever . . . http://ow.ly/167djB #
• Chicago Honey Co-op – At the Bee Farm – If You Want to Help the Honeybees….Plant a Tree http://ow.ly/Jvgq #
• Love these! 7 Eco-Chic Holiday Entertaining Tips | Organic Living | Organic Living http://ow.ly/Jlwa #
• Just got done baking 51 dozen cookies with my family for the cookie bake. #
• #FF @lynfredwinery @foodbloggernews @danielckoontz @foodiggity @TheChefUpstairs @TheGourmetGirl @FoodieReflects @eatingforfun @camerontoth #
• RT @danielckoontz: FF #food good ones @jules_stonesoup @cupcakepunk @BehindTheKnife @gourmeted @lanterconnie @YourVeganMom @BrownEggMktg #

Tags: tweets, Twitter

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Tags: Poll, reality, top chef

“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been done is still not enough.”

– Eugene Delacroix

I think this could apply to some of the great Chef’s out there who have accomplished a lot but still work tirelessly to create the next great dish.