Today we celebrate National Get To Know Your Customers Day! Repeat and loyal customers are the success of your business. While you’re getting to know your customers, take advantage of the opportunity to show them they are appreciated. Make it a point to get to know a little more about your customers and make each of them feel important; check out the tips below for some ideas.
New to the idea of incorporating video gaming in your establishment, but not sure how to get started?
Already have video gaming, but wondering whether you’re getting the maximum benefit from your current terminal operator?
IGS will be making its seventh showcase at the 2018 NRA Show at M cCormick Place in Chicago May 19-22. If you’re attending, be sure to visit our booth #5268 in the South Hall. We hope to see some familiar faces! For more information visit show.restaurant.org.
Sting operations help hold businesses accountable when it comes to serving minors, however some lawmakers say the state is cracking down too hard when it comes to gambling.
“We’re doing everything we can to follow the law,” said general manager of Don Carter Lanes Brad Sommer. “We just want a fair shake at it.”
Like a growing number of restaurants and bars around Illinois, Don Carter Lanes in Rockford offers video gaming for customers over the age of 21.
“These games have become such an important part of our business model now that we’re doing everything we can to keep minors out,” said Sommer.
But Sommer says his best efforts might not be enough in an undercover sting.
Under the law, sting operations can send in a minor to a bar or restaurant with video gaming. If the minor plays a machine before a waitress or manager can check their ID, lawmakers say that business could be fined up to $5,000.
“By the time they can walk over there and tell the person they have to leave, they could have easily gotten one bet in and that was never the intent,” said Republican Senator Dave Syverson.
That’s why Syverson is sponsoring a new bill to protect business owners from what he calls unfair practices.
Two entrepreneurs are hoping to help breathe new life into East Dundee’s River Valley Shopping Plaza with their upscale video gambling cafe concept. T.J. Rubin and Jamie Arthurs recently opened Royals at 505 Dundee Ave., offering food, a variety of beverages, and several gaming machines.
“We thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to help revitalize the shopping center and the neighborhood,” Rubin said. “We’ve been open for about a month and gotten a lot of traffic. People seem to be warming to the concept.”
Video gambling has been a moneymaker. In August, 285 terminals were spread across 66 locations in DeKalb County, according to the Illinois Gaming Board, the agency that oversees video gambling and riverboat gambling. Bettors wagered a total of $11.6 million, losing $914,000. That $914,000 is the net terminal income, 30 percent of which goes to the state, while the remaining 70 percent is split between the machine operator and the business.
“It’s grown quicker than expected,” said Derick Ibarra, a partner in a business that operates cafés in DeKalb and Sycamore.
He said he came from the restaurant business. His family used to own Cabana Charley’s in Sycamore.
It wasn’t a deliberate shift, Ibarra said, but changes in the restaurant industry led to the cafés. He had opened a few terminals next door to the restaurant his family owned, and later, when it came time to reconcept the restaurant, he said he felt someone else could do a better job.
The July 2015 signing of Public Act 99-0046 requires alcohol servers (and those checking IDs for alcohol service) in Illinois on premise establishments to successfully complete a Beverage Alcohol Sellers/Servers Education & Training (BASSET) class every three years. As cited in the law, this mandate takes effect by a pre-determined date? based upon county population. Many local jurisdictions already require BASSET.
All Illinois counties will be expected to have certified BASSET servers by July 1, 2018. Click here to view a map which shows when alcohol servers and ID-checkers are required to be BASSET-certified by county. Expect the Illinois Liquor Commission Control (ILCC) to fully enforce this certification.
With the foodservice industry in Illinois being the largest private sector employer in the State, it’s comforting to know the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) is dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry and supporting its future. The IRA works to provide restaurant operators and suppliers in Illinois with valuable business services, networking opportunities, cost saving programs, and vital advocacy.
The IRA is the largest, most active resource for restaurateurs in Illinois. The IRA is advocating on behalf of restaurants on important issues such as the increase to the minimum wage and lowering the age from 21 to 18-years-old for restaurant staff to serve alcoholic beverages to customers.
IGS is a proud platinum sponsor of the IRA and looks forward to working and advocating alongside them on behalf of hard-working restaurateurs.
For the sixth year in a row IGS exhibited at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show at McCormick Place in Chicago May 20-23! We are grateful for the opportunity to have met many restaurant and business owners and industry leaders along with seeing some familiar faces. IGS enjoys being a part of this exciting annual event!
There are upcoming changes to Cook County labor and employment laws that will go into effect July 1. As such, the Illinois Restaurant Association is hosting a conference call seminar to discuss the new laws and developments you need to know about.
Illinois Gaming Systems is a proud partner and sponsor of the IRA and is pleased to pass along the invitation to be a part of this valuable seminar. The seminar will take place Wednesday, June 7 beginning at 2 PM until 3:30 PM. If you are interested in participating, please click here to register/RSVP. Upon registering you will receive dial in information and supporting documentation.
The following laws go into effect July 1st for Cook County:
- Cook County Minimum Wage Increase to $10
- Cook County Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
- Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax (aka, soda tax)
Please be sure to RSVP online to receive the conference call information!
A La Carte: Get In The Game With Illinois Gaming Systems
New to the idea of incorporating video gaming in your establishment but not sure how to get started? Already have video gaming terminals but wondering whether you’re getting the maximum benefit from your current terminal operator? Illinois Gaming Systems (IGS) can maximize your potential no matter where you’re at with gaming in your establishment!
