Emily Hanlin, executive director of food and nutrition services at Cobb County School District in Kennesaw, Ga., sends handwritten birthday cards to team members, which she says makes staff feel connected to the operation.
- 50 Great Ideas
- 1. Teaching sustainability—and loyalty—young
- 2. Website shares local impact
- 3. Cutting down for delivery
- 4. The three C’s of social media
- 5. Coffee subscription program
- 6. High-tech service bell
- 7. Plated—or bowled—to share
- 8. Catering road map
- 9. Breakfast diner does nighttime-only menu
- 10. Social media-savvy valentines
- 11. Digital drive-thrus
- 12. Rewarding employee development
- 13. Birthday box
- 14. Appreciation for the cooks
- 15. Interruption-free service
- 16. Specialty catering packages
- 17. Educational receipts
- 18. Off-peak loyalty
- 19. Upcharge with CBD
- 20. Extended parental leave
- 21. Coaster-led convos
- 22. Taco Tuesday test
- 23. Catering to college crammers
- 24. Instagrammable creamer
- 25. Cut prices to reduce food waste
- 26. Ordering ‘dictionary’
- 27. 4-day work week
- 28. Support surcharge
- 29. Public gift certificate
- 30. Drop spot for delivery
- 31. Training for soft skills
- 32. Microtrainings
- 33. Instant icebreaker
- 34. Bonuses for hourlies
- 35. Group chats
- 36. Dinnertime delivery-only menu
- 37. Treat drivers as guests
- 38. Gum disposal
- 39. Gazpacho bar
- 40. Chef tech
- 41. Menu to amuse parents
- 42. Personalized weekly messages
- 43. Culture cards
- 44. Food waste for Fido
- 45. Eco-friendlier outfits
- 46. Self-supporting promo
- 47. Powered up with solar power
- 48. Throughput-boosting equipment
- 49. Picnic box
- 50. Formalizing innovation