Tag: tam card

Zagat Survey Results Offer Insight into Dining-Out Habits and Trends

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

Restaurateurs sometimes wish they had a window into the minds of their patrons. What do customers really want? How can we best serve our patrons while increasing profits? Well now you may just be able to find the answers.

Zagat, a leading guide for restaurants, service professionals and diners alike, has just released their 2012 Restaurant Survey Results after polling 156,000 diners across the country on everything from their favorite restaurants, to the frequency of how often they eat out. What better way to get a look at just what potential customers are buzzing about!

This year’s survey results revealed several interesting points including:

  • 81% of surveyors nationwide are in favor of restaurants being required to post their health department letter grades.
  • 91% of those surveyed in Las Vegas report that letter grades influence their dining decisions and most will eat only at restaurants that earn a B or better.
  • The U.S. tipping average is 19.2%. That number has continued to rise over the past ten years.
  • A repeat from last year, the most expensive dining in the nation is in Las Vegas, with an average meal cost of $47.53.
  • When dining at a restaurant that does not take reservations, 67% of those nationwide would be willing to wait no more than 30 minutes for a table.

Industry professionals can use the survey results to generate ideas on how cater to their patrons. And remember, responsible beverage service is a necessary component to an excellent dining experience. TAM of Nevada’s knowledgeable instructors can teach your employees how to serve responsibly, and offer real-world insight into providing all-around excellent customer service. You can buy your own copy of Zagat’s 2012 guide here. What did you find most interesting the survey results? What dining trends have you noticed recently in Las Vegas?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Online or On-Site – Pick the TAM® Class That’s Right for You

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

TAM ExamWe all know that Nevada service professionals lead busy lives, but fitting in your mandatory alcohol awareness training doesn’t have to be a scheduling nightmare! TAM® of Nevada offers convenient options for students who keep all types of hours, including training offered online, 24/7.

Classroom training isn’t for everyone. If you have a busy schedule, or just prefer to learn in the privacy of your own home, you may want to consider the option of taking your alcohol awareness training in an online environment. Our online training is just as complete and effective as our classroom training, and covers the same material. For students who complete TAM® online training, when you’re ready to take your proctored test and pick up your TAM® Card, we have convenient drop-in exam hours six days a week from 9:30am-5:00pm at our Las Vegas training center! Additionally, we now offer open lab time on Tuesdays for students who would like to complete their alcohol awareness training online, but do not have access to a computer. Students are welcome to visit our training center and use our computer lab to complete their training on Tuesdays between 9:30am and 5:00pm.

For students who prefer traditional classroom-based training, TAM® of Nevada offers class options to fit every schedule. We have instructor-led class offerings six days a week at our training center with multiple class times each day. Additionally, we also offer Spanish class every Tuesday at 6:00pm for Spanish-speaking students. Our knowledgeable instructors have real-world industry experience and will guide you through the training and give you practical advice, tips for success, and maybe even a few entertaining stories too. Check out our alcohol awareness class schedule to find a class that is convenient for you!

If you’ve completed your TAM training online or in the classroom, which option did you choose and what did you like about it?

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Would You Like Wine With That? Alcohol Sales Are Expanding Into Unique Venues

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Would you like a glass of wine with your popcorn? Depending on where you live, you may hear something to that effect next time you go out to the movies. Several different fast casual restaurants and retail locations are now exploring the idea of adding liquor sales to the mix at select locations across the country. Alcohol sales are generally highly profitable for businesses, and in a down economy, owners and operators are exploring creative new ways to boost sales.

According to the New York Post, AMC Theatres is considering adding liquor sales and sit-down restaurant options at theatres in New York. A new law would allow consumers to bring their drinks into the theatre if the movie house has a sit-down eatery establishment on-site. The idea is to draw in more adult patrons and help boost sales at movie theatres. How convenient would it be to combine a sit-down dinner and a movie in one location?

Restaurant chains around the country are also experimenting with liquor sales, with mixed results. Places like Starbucks and Sonic are adding beer and wine sales at select locations to test the waters (New York Times). For example, Starbucks is currently testing out beer and wine sales at five of its store locations in the Pacific Northwest. And, let’s not forget that traditional retail sales locations are also experimenting with beer and wine sales. Be sure to read our blog post, “Whole Foods Invites Customers to Sample the Selection,” to learn about popular grocery chain Whole Foods’ foray into the market.

What do you think? Are these retailers finding new ways to cater to consumers, or are they inviting trouble? Whether you are a bartender, server, clerk or cashier, responsible alcohol sales are a must. Remember, alcohol awareness training isn’t just for bartenders and servers in Nevada. Grocery and convenience store clerks and cashiers in Clark and Washoe Counties are also required to obtain their TAM® Cards (Nevada Revised Statutes). TAM® of Nevada will train you and your co-workers to provide responsible beverage service that will keep your patrons safe and excited to return again in the future, no matter what type of establishment you work for.

What do you think about adding liquor sales to fast casual restaurants or movie theatres? What types of challenges would you expect to see?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Introducing TAM of Nevada’s Refer-a-Friend Program

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Refer Your Friends – You Could Win a $250 Visa Gift Card + They Save 10%

Do you know someone who needs to obtain an alcohol awareness card? TAM® of Nevada is the ONLY official provider of TAM® Cards in Nevada, and we are proud to offer the best in alcohol awareness training to thousands of Nevada workers each year. We’re launching a brand new referral program for TAM® Students, so spread the word. Refer your friends to TAM® of Nevada to complete their training and…

  • You will be entered to win a $250 Visa Gift Card,
  • Plus, those you refer receive 10% off the purchase price of their alcohol awareness class.

It’s simple, it’s easy, and everyone gets rewarded! Visit us at the TAM of Nevada website to learn more about the program and get started. When you sign up, you’ll be given a personalized referral code to share with your friends and coworkers.

For every person who uses your discount code when they sign up for an online or on-site class with TAM® of Nevada, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $250 Visa gift card. There is NO LIMIT on the number of people you can refer or the number of times you can be entered to win. The more students you refer, the more chances you have to win! Share the rewards and benefits of a TAM® Card with your friends and coworkers and you can start reaping the rewards.

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada