by Restaurant Fan Expert on December 6, 2011
More and more people are opting for healthier lifestyles. It has long been assumed that a vegetarian diet is healthier than diets that include large amounts of meat and animal products, however, many people shy away from complete vegetarianism and embrace what is now referred to as a “flexitarian” lifestyle, eating both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods, but limiting their intake of meat and other animal products for health reasons. As a result, the numbers of vegetarian restaurants and vegetarian-friendly menu options is increasing significantly.
It used to be that vegetarians were excluded from most restaurants based on the limited number of meatless dishes (other than a house salad). Many restaurants now offer extensive vegetarian choices, such as entrees featuring beans, tofu and other proteins. This helps consumers make healthier choices when dining out.
The trend toward more vegetarian choices comes from the growing concern by many about their personal health, as well as concerns about more eco-friendly lifestyles, including the use of fewer animal products. It is thought that the livestock industry contributes more toward global warming than the combined effect of all forms of transportation, making it a significant issue for environmentalists.
Many celebrities have hopped on the meat-free bandwagon and adopted patterns like “Meat Free Mondays” and other promotions that help reduce the global warming caused by the livestock industry. This has helped to raise awareness surrounding the correlation between animal products and global warming.
Research has shown that there is a significant increase in the demand for vegetarian and meatless foods, with a nearly 25% increase during the past decade. It is expected that this growth trend is going to continue on an upward swing. People are going to continue to seek healthier options when it comes to dining out, and the interest in conserving resources and protecting the environment is also likely to grow.
by Restaurant Fan Expert on December 5, 2011
Creating a larger voice for your brand means getting the word out however you can. Advertising must be very powerful in order to get your message heard. Television commercials and print ads can be extremely expensive, and many business owners are turning to the Internet to get their brands recognized and advertised. Using social media has become extremely popular and very effective for small businesses to advertise their products and services.
Finding ways to capture an audience using social media is important. Many social media consultants are available to help business owners with developing an Internet marketing plan that is inexpensive and extremely effective. A social media consultant will evaluate the type of business you have and assess the possibilities for clientele. Once this determination is made, an appropriate campaign can be launched.
Depending on the demographics of the target audience, different types of Internet marketing may be used. Social media, at first, was targeted primarily at a younger crowd. However, today’s social media techniques are broad and far reaching, and can catch the attention of many different age groups. Social media advertising is very powerful, baby boomers are even getting in on the action, especially with the most mainstream options, like Facebook and Twitter.
Establishing a brand for your company takes time and persistence. You will know you are established when you have customers that recognize and seek out your brand, and help spread the word. One way to help establish your brand is to develop a motto. Everyone knows that Wheaties cereal is “the breakfast of champions,” or that General Electric (GE) “brings good things to life.” These are catch phrases that make these particular brands even more of a household name. while you may not be the next Nike (“just do it”), you can still develop a strong and memorable message for your customers, one that creates a voice and can be easily spread using social media and other marketing tools.
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