I'm certain that if the OP actually told us WHERE this pizza place was, his friend would be SWARMED with orders the next day.
help needed for a friend!!
- Thread starter Despo
- Start date
Unless I missed it, I still don't see an address mentioned (or is that not allowed?). Granted, we'd all have to resist the temptation to go there and say, "I read about you on TERB". :Eek:
Are there websites that review / rate food in Toronto (I'm from out of town, so I don't know these things)? Find a way to get reviewed / rated (that's a double-edged sword if the food's not good, but I get the impression it is).
Agreed that the business has to stand out from the crowd, whether it be taste, toppings, organic, low-sodium, topless servers, school catering, whatever. If it's just another pizzeria, then it will be an uphill struggle, especially given the location situation.
If you have any connections to MBAs or MBA students, maybe they could take on the challenge. Maybe reach out to one of the local MBA schools and see if there's an opportunity to have students take you on as a case study / pet project. Part of what they teach these students is how to make a business successful, so it might be worth a shot.
Good luck!
Are there websites that review / rate food in Toronto (I'm from out of town, so I don't know these things)? Find a way to get reviewed / rated (that's a double-edged sword if the food's not good, but I get the impression it is).
Agreed that the business has to stand out from the crowd, whether it be taste, toppings, organic, low-sodium, topless servers, school catering, whatever. If it's just another pizzeria, then it will be an uphill struggle, especially given the location situation.
If you have any connections to MBAs or MBA students, maybe they could take on the challenge. Maybe reach out to one of the local MBA schools and see if there's an opportunity to have students take you on as a case study / pet project. Part of what they teach these students is how to make a business successful, so it might be worth a shot.
Good luck!
There is the problem, he is located out of the way, and wants to focus on takeout (does he at least have good parking options for people coming to pickup?). Get flyers out to let people know where he is, offer some delivery on the flyer, but offer better deals for takeout.
As they always say LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!
I understand why many think details of the location are important and under 'normal' circumstances probably the OP would have mentioned them but considering discretion being important for him as well as everyone or most here, he may not consider it a good idea. In the end a lot of the advice/strategies we have suggested are useful just by knowing this pizza place is in a secluded area.
We have a place in Port Ceredit that is impossible to find. Also the guy that oowns it reminds me of the "soup nazzi" from Sienfeld. For some strange reason the guy wins awards for the best pizza in Mississauga. I always end up doing 1 or 2 u-turns when I try and find the place.
Amadio's Pizza .
to the O.P. send a few of us his info if you dont feel comfortable posting it and we will go test it and report back with valid info for you.
Amadio's Pizza .
to the O.P. send a few of us his info if you dont feel comfortable posting it and we will go test it and report back with valid info for you.
I showed him the thread and he was glad I didn't show the address. My wife hates mom and pops pizza shops but she likes this one. I can say being a good cook and very appreciative of good effort the stuff he makes is delicous. Your advice is excellant and honest, it is definitely helping. As always terbites fucking ROCK!!!! lol
Business, business, business.... shoulda shoulda shoulda. Should have had a great location. Should have done a bunch of things. Oh well.
1) You have to have a great product.
2) You have to offer delivery.
3)...
3 is the most important thing. The single most important thing. You need to get people through your door. I'm not the biggest guy on marketing so it might be helpful to consult a professional. At the very least I would blanket the area with pamphlets. It's going to require money, maybe $10 - 20k. Marketing is crucial to this endeavor. Having a great pizza is nothing if no one is coming through the door to try it. Have a professional put together a great pamphlet, then have Canada Post hit every postal code within 1 or 2km.
Then remember the little shit. Hire someone who is always at the counter who remembers people's names. Remembers their preferences. Hire a hot chick or 2. Yes, I'm sorry, but this still works.
But marketing, marketing, marketing. Take a lesson from that shaving dude who recently went viral. Do something awesome. Be creative. But get the name out there.
1) You have to have a great product.
2) You have to offer delivery.
3)...
3 is the most important thing. The single most important thing. You need to get people through your door. I'm not the biggest guy on marketing so it might be helpful to consult a professional. At the very least I would blanket the area with pamphlets. It's going to require money, maybe $10 - 20k. Marketing is crucial to this endeavor. Having a great pizza is nothing if no one is coming through the door to try it. Have a professional put together a great pamphlet, then have Canada Post hit every postal code within 1 or 2km.
Then remember the little shit. Hire someone who is always at the counter who remembers people's names. Remembers their preferences. Hire a hot chick or 2. Yes, I'm sorry, but this still works.
But marketing, marketing, marketing. Take a lesson from that shaving dude who recently went viral. Do something awesome. Be creative. But get the name out there.
Direct mail is not that expensive and can be effective depending on the campaign.
it's all about the fixins
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/938846--pizza-restaurant-shut-down-after-drug-charges-laid
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/938846--pizza-restaurant-shut-down-after-drug-charges-laid
I've had family jump into the restaurant business all because they thought they had experience as a cook and running the business... That is just the easy part. If your location sucks, there is pretty much nothing you can do to save the business.
good luck to your friend.
good luck to your friend.
agree with what he said... Too many people jump into opening a new restaurant without much research and just based on their ego/instincts. They try to save a little cash by not hiring a professional who could do a feasibility study and find them the best location. Reminds me of the saying, its better to work with people who know they're stupid and those who don't even realize that.
Pizza"s done ...old people don't eat too much pizza.The country as a whole is old....old people don't want cottages either...cottages are done
within 10 years...unless of course Europe goes down the toilet and takes the rest of us with them...then it's sooner!!!
within 10 years...unless of course Europe goes down the toilet and takes the rest of us with them...then it's sooner!!!
Time to begin distancing yourself from your friend. Treat him like a girlfriend you want to dump without drama and begin the "fade" maneuver. You'll find its usually really easy with guys. The guide here should not be how fast can you disappear, but how fast can you disappear without guilt. Once you've thrown him off the sleigh, don't look back as the wolves close in. That way, you won't be concerned when his pizza place fails and takes his hopes and dreams with it, his marriage ends, his personal guarantee gets enforced and he loses his home. You also won't be asked to lend him money.
hahaha! There used to be a lady named Jill that was in Acton, very much worth the trip!!! Sorry to hijack thread.
It's difficult to give proper advice without knowing the proper address and area. Why not post it so terbites can pay a visit. I'll make a suggestion though. Make a list of businesses in the area including retailers, manufacturers etc., and do a little research, get the name of the head honcho, and tell him you want to bring a free lunch for staff. Arrange a time, deliver a couple of pizzas..one with meat, one veggie, and with the delivery provide corporate vip cards entitling them to a 15% discount. Pick two or three businesses a week, and try to collect as many business cards as possible and develop a great email file so you can keep in touch. You don't have to be in a high traffic area. Make yourself a destination by providing exemplary customer service and value with a unique product. Good luck to your buddy.I have a friend who is about 50 and has just poured everything into a takeout pizza shop + other menu items he opened about a year ago. He is going down fast and we are brain storming to try and help him with ideas to get this thing going because he will lose everything. Any ideas would help greatly as I know if the answer can't be found here it's not out there. He has great product but marketing not so much. His location is kinda hidden so that is part of the challenge. Please if you have anything I could give to him it would be much appreciated to get people through the door.
