The Future of the Professionals Forum

I NEED the hot dog cart guys here. I run an 18' enclosed trailer set on a permanent leased site and offer a diverse menu, but with that said, we concentrate on the quality of our dogs and toppings and they run 40-50% of total sales...easily our single most important item. Sure it get's tiring when a new poster doesn't do their homework and reposts a repetetive question...but that may be the very poster with a suggestion or idea that boosts my largest sales item.

I guess it is my turn. I think an option to upload or post videos of how we as professionals operate... with so many creative people that visit here. We all do things in a unique way. For an example, I am sure there would be thousands of views on "How to make Cakes" to showing someone how to use a thermometer. If you are planning to do a revamp of this site, then you have to make it more 2010+ this would be something that all registered users can utilize. This can be implemented into the search area as well.

RD

As a future restaurantuer I agree with previuos ideas with weekely articles about menu designs, out of the box thinking on marketing, etc. I also disagree with the "us four and no more" mentality of some of the other posts on here. As a future restaurant owner this site has been very valuable to me and look forward to any changes that may be made to make it better.

I believe that there should be two forums on the same page
That way we could choose the one that interest us the most
Why not let us vote on it
I am not so much interested in the pro version,but in the old roadfood one
I understand others feel the opposite

And sometimes you can "fix" things to much, and mess up a good thing.  Lets not fragment and isolate so much that its no use for anyone except a members only club.

I have never ventured outside of the hotdog/food professional forums. I see people who like to talk about food and the like on trips and such.
 I was drawn to this site when I had no job and was rewiring a house as trade for a concession trailer. I believe a complete new forum for new people with sticky notes showing relevant topics as a database would help solve some of the questions people who are new have. It could include hotdog ,concession , cafe and restaurant combined and would be a resource. I have seen / read people who are experienced lose it with people who stumble on the site and ask questions before they have searched though it.

One more thing I'd like to see is a sub forum in the pro section on menus, and one on internet web design for restaurants.
Jack

IMHO Jack ( Dr Of BBQ) has done a great job keeping this an interesting site. The death of any forum is lack of use. I know on other food sites I stop going because no one answered my question or even viewed it. People generate people, Pros generate Pros. When the site is slowing down it needs a boost of knowledge and interest. The Restaurant/Food business is the hardest business to succeed, and there is a wealth of knowledge that could be explored. We have a lot of good, knowledgeable, talented people in this site that can offer answers to any question. This site should offer an on going source of information and learning tools to keep interest in the site to keep people coming back. When a forum is a place that people come back to time and time again it finds its own path. The masses will dictate and fine tune the site to their needs and wants. This site should be run like a Restaurant, once you have them in the door shame on you if they don't come back............BillyB

I have been absolutely slammed lately, and haven't been able to give this the time it deserves.  I will compile a summary of the info you guys have provided, add it to what I already have, and send it to Stephen.  Thanks to those who supplied constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.