Who is Sarid Drory and some of his restaurant growth thoughts: Sarid Drory has been delivering keynotes around the US over a decade, drawing on his unique and sometimes hilarious experiences at the intersection of restaurants, sales, entrepreneurship, and media. As a European citizen, he pursued his passion for high-end restaurant industryacquiring wine and beverage skills in France and Italy, and then emigrated to New York City to apply his studies and experiences. See extra details at Sarid Drory 229. Try to make a different concept when it comes to the menu. This simply means that if there are many restaurants who serve pasta, then it is time to serve different variety or meals that are healthy and delicious. We can try to serve gourmet dishes or any other unique recipe that is sure to impress many customers.
Keep the kitchen running smoothly with quality equipment that doesn’t break down in the middle of a shift. Save on food costs by purchasing premium products that don’t go bad overnight in the walk-in. From deep-fryers and freezers to prime rib and fresh romaine hearts, buying the best is always cost-effective. Invest time in menu development. Are you offering guests plenty of variety? Can you modify recipes to highlight seasonal specialties? Customers want to see their favorites, but they enjoy new items too. A flexible menu frees up culinary creativity and keeps dining room guests happy.
Since that time, Drory has cultivated a prestigious history of success in the New York City restaurant scene. His first purchase was Ye Waverly Inn from the family who had run the establishment for three generations. Due to his strategic upgrades to the restaurant, including the installation of the famed garden, Drory created a popular New York hot spot and tripled the revenue in three years. After 14 years for ownership, he sold Ye Waverly Inn for seven figures. Next, Drory bought The Cub Room restaurant from renowned chef, Henry Meer for $1.25 million. After a year of ownership he had increased the revenue by 70%. Totaling in 8,000 square feet, The Cub Room housed a 3,000 square foot dining area, a lounge with a bar which was further expanded by Drory, with 89 types of scotch and 94 types of vodka. An organic café occupied the third room, which became a favorite hangout area for New Yorkers. After about ten years Drory sold the restaurant for $2.5 million
Drory’s next restaurant and renovation project was Greenwich café, a 24-hour café, which became a well- loved spot by its downtown West Village community. Barbara Walters even chose the restaurant to host a 4-hour, on-location live show where the community played an integral part of the broadcast. The initial project cost for the restaurant was $350,000 and it was sold for $1.8 million, adding to Drory’s portfolio. Along with Lesly Bernard, best known for Pravda and Clementine, and Herb Wilson, formerly of Bambou and Jack’s Fifth, Drory next remade Greenwich into NYC, which was acquired for $2.2 million. Drory’s other projects have included two Italian restaurants, located in East and West Village, and called Tanti Baci. Drory brought in special cooks from a village in Palermo, Italy, where his father was raised, to enhance the romantic feel of the restaurant. The two restaurants were a big success after 14 years of operating and were sold for $1.8 million each.
One of Drory’s latest projects is Artisanal Bistro, located on 2 Park Avenue, noted as NYC’s first artisanal food entries. After acquiring Artisanal, Drory made many improvements in the first 40 days, including saving $1.2 million by cutting expenses and adding enhancements to the environment for the clientele that love Artisanal. Menu enhancements by Drory include offering 81 types of wine by glass to match the existing menu of 197 types of cheese; expert bakers from Breads to add to the wine and cheese experience; and increasing the wine selection list to include top shelf cognac and scotch. Drory hired Adam Tihany, the famed hospitality designer who originally designed the space, to renovate Artisanal. Additional contracts in the works include two downtown hotspots; Spitzer’s Corner on 101 Rivington Street and Los Feliz on 109 Ludlow Street. Spitzer’s was bought for $5.2 million and Los Feliz for $2.8 million. Sarid also bought the club Fat Baby for $3 million. Drory will be moving Artisanal to a better and bigger location on Park Avenue, because Sarid would like to share the space with a substantial retail space for cheese and pastries by Fall 2016.
A successful restaurant runs well from front to back of house because everyone on staff knows they’re appreciated. Make it clear that you value their hard work. Set up bonus systems, be generous with incentives, and organize entertaining outside activities. Let them know your door is always open to both their concerns and their ideas.
Top-Notch Appliances – Just as with your food purchases, you need top-quality appliances to prepare excellent meals. This way, you are also at less risk of your stove or oven quitting halfway through a service. When you buy reliable brands, you can count on fewer repairs, longevity, and accuracy for temperature settings. So, you will save money in the long run when you budget for high-end kitchen appliances. USP – A unique selling point shows what you offer that your competitors don’t. Hone in on this by presenting meals that are made differently. For instance, cook with ingredients growing in a garden at the back of your restaurant. This will draw customers to you. Create dishes that exude your unique style or play on a traditional family recipe. This creates intrigue which leads to more foot traffic.