Customization of the Burger

    There is nothing more nostalgic and American than the hamburger?  Just like the ones you remember when you were a kid, ground beef from the butcher shop, served on a Holsum bun that was too small for the burger, iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato (if it was summer).  Your sauce choice were probably mayonnaise or mustard.  That was it?  Did you have your choice cheeses, how about if you would like that burger made from  turkey, soy, buffalo, ground beef, ground veal, or ground tenderloin?  What grade beef would you prefer: prime, choice, organic, or Angus beef? How would you liked that cooked?  Now what type of bun would you prefer?  Wow, just the ingredients for a hamburger stand now could fill an entire restaurant cooler.        

    As customers become more educated about the health benefits of fresh foods.   As people also become aware of the chemical processing that pre-prepared meals undergo to increase their shelf life. They are going to begin demanding new flavorful, fruits and vegetables.  Farm fresh vegetables, organic choices, and gluten free diets are becoming lifestyle choices rather than trend diets.  Freedom of choice or customization is becoming an expectation.  Just look at the growth of small sandwich shops(Subway, Quizno's) that feature unlimited combinations of flavors, fresh vegetables, fresh bread and protein options.   

   Buffalo Wild Wings has traditional fast food items paired with unlimited sauces, choices in sports and teams, and a wide selection of beer, liquor and even wine.  Neighborhood cafes, restaurants and coffee shops are once again social gathering places.  Social media can let hundreds of people know their personal recommendations.  People now gather at coffee shops to write their blogs, post their whereabouts on Facebook while they shop for clothes.  

    The internet has even changed when people eat because the 9-5 factory jobs are gone and office workers find that they have as much to do form their internet connected office at home as they did at work.  Many of today's students take their college classes online at their leisure.  Unemployed people make up a large portion of the population now.  I know your thinking why do I want unemployed people in my establishment.  Look at it another way, they don't have anything else to do.  Many of these unemployed people are going to work for themselves, or free lancing on?  Yep the internet.  They are not trapped inside an office, a factory or their home.

    Apply this to your establishment, do you offer an internet connection, do you have comfortable seating, how about all day menu specials or afternoon appetizers?  What do you think the internet will make on the Restaurant Business?  Share them here.