ARTICLES/BLOGS
Going the Extra Mile for Your Team
If the pandemic did one thing that we can all agree on, it must be the labor shortage. This has struck the restaurant industry especially hard. The first defensive move for restaurant operators is to cut down the hours and the days so that they can be staffed...
2023 NRA Show
Did you know that as a member of NMRA, you are also a member of NRA (National Restaurant Association)? Of of the many perks of NRA membership is admission to the NRA Show? 2023's NRA Show will be in Chicago May 20-23. You can learn more about the show here. National...
How to Support Restaurants this Legislative Session
As a restaurant owner, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest state politics and legislation that could potentially impact your business. Here are a few ways you can be active in state politics as a restaurant owner: Join NMRA: New Mexico has a restaurant...
How to Handle Guests that Ignore their Crying Children in Your Restaurant
WAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a aaaaa a a a SCHREECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One kid screaming while the parents look around smiling. Totally oblivious that their kid is ruining multiple dinners. Ruining all the tables in the immediate and not so...
Why Do Employees Stay?
It struck me that research that I had done a few years ago might be even more useful today than when I originally wrote it. The study analyzed long term restaurant employees to uncover their common characteristics so that managers interviewing applicants could...
Customer Service Facts & Figures
Trying for a great reputation makes good economic sense. Consider these facts: It can cost up to five times as much to attract a new customer than to retain an existing one The average business never hears from 96% of its unsatisfied customers For every complaint...
November Mindful Minute: National Diabetes Month
As of 2016, 7.7% of service industry workers in the US said they had been told by a doctor or nurse they had diabetes. This means that diabetes is more prevalent in our industry than in it is most others, for a variety of reasons that deserve more attention. Shift...
State & Federal Relief
As many of the COVID resources expire, NMRA will continue to monitor what relief programs are available and post them here for our members to access. If you know of any additional funding resource for restaurants that is not on this list please send the information to...
Missing the Point
I had an opportunity the other day to experience firsthand a company doing what is correct but not doing what is right. There was a coupon for a free pizza from a local pizza joint, which looked like a winner. I’ll share my experience with you. The conversation that...
NMRA 2022 Hospitality Industry Awards
All the nominees are in, and our judges are tallying up the totals to honor the 2022 Hospitality Industry Awards winners for Chef, Restaurant Neighbor, Restaurateur and Manager of the Year! We can't wait to gather with all of you on November 14 at Embassy Suites for...
Guaranteeing Disgruntled Guests
By: John Self Let’s examine points that will guarantee disgruntled customer service experiences every time. Oh boy! The best way to create disgruntled customers is to have management ignores the common, everyday interactions between the customer contact person...
Legal Consults for Your Restaurant
Need help with a legal question? Don't know the next steps to take? Wonder if you have to escalate a matter? NMRA is proud to announce our partnership with Mariposa Padilla Sivage of Sutin, Thayer, and Browne. New Mexico Restaurant Association members have a lawyer...
Tools Of Customer Service
by: John SelfLike every facet of life, problems exist. But like a bad western when the hero comes rushing in to save the fair damsel, tools exist to help gun down those problems. Customer service is no exception. Some customer service tools that may have been...
Greg McAllister – Algodones Distillery – Algodones, NM
At Algodones Distillery they honor that philosophy and hand craft spirits that reflect their time and place. Using traditional pot stills, artesian well water and our bosque location for aging,theye source and distill local ingredients from blue corn to juniper,...
Eyes Wide Shut
by: John Self Put yourself in your customer’s shoes for one minute. They’re having a wonderful dinner; the background music is playing nicely and they’re obviously enjoying themselves. Just as one of them is about to put a bite of steak in their mouth, the...
Customer Service the Wrong Way
By John Self Most restaurant managers love to eat out and when we do, we often like to tell the manager on duty about the great service we had from one of their employees. It never ceases to amaze me that most of the times that I’ve asked my server to get a manager to...
Scott Feuille – Taylor Garrett Spirits – Albuquerque
Taylor Garrett Spirits was borne out of an aviator’s vision to produce a unique line of spirits using breakthrough aging technology while honoring the traditions of the world’s great Master Distillers. Taylor Garrett is a veteran-owned company located in Albuquerque,...
Want to be fully staffed? One suggestion
By John Self What do you think when an older adult comes in to apply? Answer truthfully.“Loser?” Why is this person applying for an entry-level job?Must not be able to make it in the real worldMust not want any responsibilityI wonder what’s wrong? Those are typical...
Using your Buyer’s Guide
If you are a restaurant vendor or supplier, you know how valuable it is to get your information in the hands of the owners and operators. Our guide has a statewide distribution of 4,500 and is mailed directly to restaurants all across the state. Contact us to be...
NMRA Buyer’s Guide
NMRA has over 1,500 members statewide. We take pride in providing our members, and all foodservice providers, with the best resources around. We direct mail this guide to restaurants all over the state, members or not. It's also distributed at trade shows, events,...