Author: Will Kuecker

Guest blog: Fast Casual Executive Summit (FCES) Conference 2024 Recap: Key Insights and Innovations Shaping the Industry

Megan Oppelt at the MEG 2024 conference.

The 2024 Fast Casual Executive Summit showcased the fast-casual dining industry’s future through innovation, tech integration, and customer-centric strategies. Highlights included the Perfect Pitch session, with Saigon Hustle’s win, tech innovations enhancing guest experiences, and panels emphasizing employee engagement and strategic expansion. Insights underscored the importance of balancing technology, brand loyalty, and human connection.

Fall Fundraising Success Starts Here: Key Tips to Prepare Your Restaurant for the Busy Season

A graphic depicting average fundraiser sales over a year, highlighting that the fall peak is arriving.

Prepare your restaurant for a successful fall fundraising season with these essential tips. Learn how to strategize your availability, create effective marketing materials, engage potential partners, train your staff, and address common challenges. By optimizing your approach, you can boost sales and strengthen community connections. Discover how Force4Good makes fundraising easier and more efficient, helping your restaurant become the top choice for local fundraisers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make this fall your most profitable season yet!

Force4Good and Local Kitchens: Streamlining fundraising operations and strengthening community ties

Local Kitchens logo

Local Kitchens faced administrative challenges in their prior fundraising endeavors. Their partnership with Force4Good simplified their process, automating flyer creation, sales tallying, code generation, and reminders. This led to a 62.6% increase in average order value during fundraisers, and positive community feedback. Local Kitchens also exceeded their Q1 2024 fundraiser sales goal. The collaboration strengthened community ties and boosted business growth.

Guest blog: MEG Conference 2024 Recap: Marketing Insights, Innovations, and Best Practices

Megan Oppelt at the MEG 2024 conference.

The 2024 MEG Conference in Chicago brought together top restaurant marketing minds to share insights and innovative strategies. Highlights included Greg Hoffman’s talk on creative leadership, panels on integrating marketing and technology, leveraging social media, AI applications, and successful loyalty programs. Discussions emphasized employee engagement, personalized customer experiences, and data-driven decision-making to enhance marketing efforts and drive growth.

Highlights from the 2024 Engage for Good Conference in Minneapolis

Steven Cook at the Engage for Good Conference 2024.

Steven Cook, Cofounder of Force4Good, recaps the Engage for Good Conference 2024 held in Minneapolis, emphasizing corporate partnerships’ role in social impact. The event featured over 600 attendees, including 200 newcomers, and showcased insights from panel discussions, award winners, and keynote speakers. Highlights include Google.org and charity: water’s transformative projects, tactics for effective partnerships, and innovative fundraising strategies. Keynotes by Loretta J. Ross and Gary Mendell offered profound perspectives on corporate social responsibility and substance use disorder support, while panels on DEI, women leadership, and engaging Gen Z underscored the importance of inclusivity and authentic engagement.

Giving thanks: Force4Giving celebrates $176k in donations this Giving Tuesday

A chalkboard reads "Giving Tuesday" surrounded by pumpkins and fall decor

This Giving Tuesday, we’re thankful for partnerships like the one we have with Force4Giving. Since August, 777 checks totaling $176,092.94 have been sent through Force4Giving to organizations like band booster clubs, PTAs/PTOs, youth sports teams, animal rescues, and many others. Join us in celebrating a successful year of giving, and stay tuned for our ambitious goals in 2024.