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Blog
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By Hoffmaster Host on
5/7/2013 12:53 PM
"The All American Treat"
During one of the worst recessions in U.S. history, a little sugary confection known as the cupcake, has proven to be an unexpected opportunity for many entrepreneurs. This cute economic sweet that offers cake, frosting and sometimes filling all at the same time, has become America’s new favorite treat.
It is no surprise that everyone has jumped on the cupcake bandwagon when you consider the added press and attention they have received from TV shows like Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars.
Today, you can find specialty cupcakes just about everywhere you look. Recently, we’ve discovered that some hotels have even replaced the traditional mint on your pillow with, you guessed it - the cupcake!
While others doubt the trend will last, one fan of the Washington, D.C. cupcake group on Facebook told The Post: "For me, it's a personal-size treat. You don't have to share it with anybody. It's a guilt-free, happy treat that takes you back to your childhood." He must not be alone, because according to idealbite.com 770,000,000 cupcakes were consumed in the US in 2012.
As we all know, with popularity comes competition. So how are successful cup cake eateries - or "cupcakeries" setting their cupcakes apart from the rest of the stores and keeping this profitable trend alive?
Here are a few ideas we have found:
Inventive recipes with flavors that customers just can't resist trying. It’s time to spice up those secret family recipes. Check out just a few new concoctions we found at a local bakery, The Cake Guru:
 Chocolate Cherry Amaretto
Dreamsicle
Key Lime & Coconut
Raspberry Lemonade
Caramel Cashew Cream Cheese
Kiddie Cocktail
Root Beer Float
Elevate presentation with decorative wrappers and unique toppings. You may have the best tasting cupcakes in town, but consumers have to buy it to try it. Make them eye catching and irresistible so they don’t get overlooked.
See the difference presentation makes in this before and after...
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By Hoffmaster Host on
4/16/2013 8:25 AM
College Students and Campus Dining
Like their predecessors, college students want to make the world a better place, have a good job and enjoy life.
The difference with today's generation and how they dine is the technology they use, the flavors they’ll try, and the familiarity they have with restaurants. Dining out is not necessarily viewed as a special occasion anymore, due to multiple reasons:
• They grew up dining out regularly.
• The time pressures of today’s lifestyles create more of a need for it.
• Casual attire is accepted in most restaurants these days, making it more comfortable and convenient to dine out.
Their varied tastes, understanding of value, and desire for sustainability continue to raise the bar for both on and off campus restaurants. Here are some of the expectations that top the students’ list:
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By Hoffmaster Host on
4/2/2013 4:46 PM
Blue skies, warm sunshine, and colorful flowers are only weeks away. It may be rainy and a bit gloomy outside now, but  Hoffmaster® products are in full bloom! Cheer up your tabletop setting with seasonal placemats, bright decorator napkins, colored doilies, and some fresh cut flowers. 
Did you know that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions and heightens feelings of life satisfaction?
Most of us are aware of how today’s fast-paced and high-tech lifestyle can take its toll on our daily lives. Experts advise us to exercise and make other personal lifestyle changes to relieve stress. But, according to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – flowers!
This study, lead by Jeannette Haviland-Jones, determined that there is a link between flowers and emotional health. According to research findings, flowers affect social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what was normally believed. Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings in those who enter a room. They make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.
The question is, can pictures impact a persons emotions in the same way? You be the judge.
Compare these pictures...
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By Hoffmaster Host on
3/27/2013 10:19 AM
Listen to Mom… she was right. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The fact is that many of us are eating it way too fast, or skipping it entirely.
A number of studies show that people who successfully maintain a significant weight loss eat breakfast just about every day.
What you choose to eat for breakfast makes a big difference for your health. By including a fresh fruit medley and some vegetables in your omelet, you can near the minimum number of five daily fruit and vegetable servings recommended for lower cancer risk.
Many establishments are already aware of this and are putting more focus on the breakfast experience for their guests. Take Hilton Garden Inn, for example. Watch this short video to see how they are using this important meal time to strengthen guest loyalty and improve profitability: Watch Video
However, in addition to what you eat, it matters how you eat it. This is up to you, and only you.
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By Hoffmaster Host on
3/6/2013 10:26 AM
By now almost everyone has seen or heard of a QR code. Why do marketers and consumers love them so much? The answer is- for many reasons, but most of all, because they are fun!
From the marketers’ perspective:
 QR codes create engagement and interactivity with the customer.
Marketers can easily incorporate QR codes to complement traditional marketing efforts.
QR codes also open the door to nonconventional and attention getting campaigns.
For the holidays, specifically, marketers can use QR codes to get consumers to sign up for their exclusive offers.
The codes are simple to create, and can link people to product demos, videos, the brand’s Facebook or Twitter page, and some are linking directly to mobile commerce sites.
From the consumers’ perspective:
It’s a simple way to take advantage of offers and promotions without having to give out personal information.
QR codes are convenient for the “on-the-go” consumer who does not have time to waste. .jpg)
With a QR code on a gift card, consumers can easily check their balance, find the nearest location or view or listen to a message from the gift giver.
Everyone likes to keep entertained while they are waiting, whether it be at a doctor’s office scanning a code on a magazine, or a restaurant scanning a napkin!
Let’s face it! Consumers love their mobile devices and all of the ways they can use them. QR codes are no exception.
To the right is example of a creative and fun way to use a QR code on a custom print napkin by Hoffmaster®. Not only was this promotion successful in engaging the establishment's customers, but the napkins more than paid for themselves by boosting profits and sales!
Read more to see some creative and outrageous use of QR codes, like the 3 ton QR code cake that took 25 bakers and 10 hours to complete!
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By Hoffmaster Host on
2/27/2013 8:10 AM
With Easter and Mother's Day quickly approaching, now is the time to start planning your menu specials and holiday promotions. Mother’s Day is the most popular day of the year to eat in a restaurant, according to the National Restaurant Association. And, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Mother’s Day is the second largest U.S. spending holiday. Looking to fill your tables with happy customers this spring? Here are a few suggestions:
.jpg) Partner up- Attract new customers by networking with other local businesses that compliment yours. For example, a restaurant advertises a local bank to their patrons in exchange for the bank offering $10 gift cards to that restaurant to customers who open a new account.
Mobile Convenience- Increasingly popular this year is eGifting – giving virtual gift cards that can be sent by email and used at checkout with a mobile device. Be sure to check out Hoffmaster's next blog that will discuss the benefits of custom printing QR codes on your tabletop items.
Be Creative- Try adding a floral arrangement that displays a mock gift card for that special upcoming occasion. Coordinate with our new Spring placemats, colorful napkins and doilies for a bright and cheery presentation.
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By Hoffmaster Host on
2/12/2013 8:47 AM
VALUE NOT VOLUME is a top trend this year that has been driven by patient outcomes and satisfaction. The quality of the food served and the overall presentations are encouraging healthier eating. This benefits not only the .jpg) patients, but the facility as well. It increases the rate of discharges and decreases the number of readmissions. Many are now offering “home-cooking” menu options made with fresh ingredients. Include a distinctive traymat with coordinating napkins and a menu shell to increase the appeal of the meal even more!
MY PLATE is part of a larger communications initiative based on Dietary Guidelines for Americans to help consumers make better food choices. It is designed to remind us to eat healthfully by illustrating the five food gropus using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting. In response to market demand, Hoffmaster® has expanded the "Healthy Choices" ensemble to include a placemat for table top dining.
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By Hoffmaster Host on
2/6/2013 8:52 AM
Did you know that the color of food, tablecovers, dishes and wall color can influence everything from our blood pressure to our mood and overall experience? Some colors can stimulate our senses and increase our appetite, while others can actually suppress it.
Test your instincts with this color quiz! Can you tell which of these colors have the following affects?
   
   
1. Mentally stimulating - increases oxygen supply to the brain
2. Feelings of happiness and well-being - helps with concentration
3. Calming in nature - triggers healthy eating
4. Tranquil: slows the metabolism - appetite suppressant
5. Positive high energy - creates excitement and stimulates appetite
6. Peaceful and serene - may result in mindless snacking
7. Elegance and sophistication - security and confidence
8. Sensitivity and love - creates a soothing effect Whether you are running a restaurant, creating a relaxing environment or dieting, the psychology of colors can be a useful tool in achieving your goals. See how your answers match up with the professionals and learn which Hoffmaster® products will enhance your desired moods.
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By Hoffmaster Host on
1/30/2013 6:35 PM
Valentine’s Day and lace doilies seem to go hand in hand. Reminisce of a time past when Valentine’s Day cards were handmade and often were adorned with lace cutouts. Host a contest for the most creative doily creation at your facility! Below is just a sampling of how creative the Hoffmaster® staff was in February 2012! Lace two doilies together, add your special message to the outside and a sweet treat to the inside and share with those dear to you. Doilies can be used all year round too!
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By Hoffmaster Host on
1/30/2013 7:36 AM
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and many restaurants are beginning to plan some special menus and events for the holiday week. According to research firm IBISWorld, dining out for Valentine’s Day is expected to see a 2.9% growth this year, with sales exceeding $9,946,900, up from $9,671,000 in 2012. Choosing where to take a significant other to dinner is probably the hardest decision one has to make this time of year. This prompts the question, “What makes a restaurant romantic?” What can you do to convert your restaurant from an everyday dining establishment to a cozy love nest that couples will want to come back to every year for this holiday, for a milestone anniversary or any other special event. Here are a few suggestions to help you capture a share of the sales generated from this important holiday.
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