This journey is not a sprint but a marathon

As September ends, I’ve had time to reflect on the unique challenges and opportunities that come with operating in a food hall compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant.

This journey is not a sprint but a marathon

This experience has brought its fair share of learning curves, and every day my team and I are adapting to the nuances of this environment. One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced so far is visibility and foot traffic. Being located inside a grocery store with multiple restaurant options, it’s difficult to stand out in a sea of choices. Additionally, with limited control over front-of-house staffing and operations, we’ve had fewer opportunities to directly interact with customers and educate them about our brand. However, we’re slowly making progress by integrating ourselves into the customer experience and finding ways to promote our presence from within the food hall.

In response to these challenges, we’ve launched several initiatives this month that we hope will drive awareness and customer engagement. Our Taco Tuesday special is now live, offering customers a fun and affordable way to experience our food. We’re also rolling out a combo meal that’s aimed at attracting younger customers—a demographic that we believe will become loyal fans. We’re taking a hands-on approach to marketing as well, distributing discount coupons and delivering taco boxes to local businesses in the area to build excitement. On Taco Tuesdays, our front-of-house staff will sport branded uniforms, and we’ll have posters placed around the hall to promote our specials. With consistent marketing and a focus on delivering a high-quality, fresh product, we hope to establish stronger brand recognition and attract more customers in the coming weeks.

The support we’ve received from Ghost Taco’s corporate team has been invaluable. Whether it’s assisting with menu development, driving catering opportunities, or providing a strong social media presence, they’ve truly gone above and beyond to ensure we succeed. This journey is not a sprint but a marathon, and their guidance and expertise have been instrumental in helping us stay the course. Patience is key, and I’m confident that with time, our efforts will pay off.

Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about the next chapter of my journey with Ghost Taco as we prepare to open our second franchise—my first brick-and-mortar location. Having spent the last few months operating in a food hall has given me a deeper understanding of the business and the brand, which I believe will make the transition smoother and more manageable. The biggest difference I’m anticipating between the two models is the level of customer interaction. In a brick-and-mortar setting, we’ll be able to offer a more focused, immersive dining experience where we can build stronger relationships with our customers and provide a consistent level of service. There’s also the added benefit of having more control over space layout, marketing efforts, and operational efficiency. These differences will require me to adapt and refine our approach, but I’m confident that with proper training and consistency, we’ll be able to meet customer expectations and elevate the Ghost Taco experience.

As we move into the fall, my focus is on growth, both for the food hall location and the upcoming brick-and-mortar. By continuing to adapt, refine our operations, and engage with our community, I’m excited to see how Ghost Taco will evolve and thrive in these next few months.

As I reflect on September, operating in a food hall has brought both unique challenges and opportunities. The biggest hurdle has been foot traffic and customer visibility. Being situated in a grocery store with other restaurant options, we have less control over front-of-house staffing and operations, which limits customer interaction and brand awareness. However, we’re adapting day by day, finding ways to educate and promote our brand from within.

This month, we’re focused on several initiatives to grow our presence. We’ve launched our Taco Tuesday special and a combo meal aimed at attracting a younger demographic. We’re also distributing discount coupons and delivering taco boxes to local businesses to generate buzz. On Taco Tuesdays, our front-of-house staff will wear branded uniforms, and we’ll display posters to boost brand visibility. With consistent promotions and quality food, we hope to build stronger customer engagement. Ghost Taco has provided incredible corporate support, whether it’s helping with menu development, dropping off taco boxes, or driving catering business. Their social media presence has also been a huge boost. This journey is about patience, and I’m excited to see how we can continue to grow.

Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about construction starting on my second franchise—my first brick-and-mortar location. Having worked at the food hall for several months has given me a better understanding of the business, making this next step feel more manageable. The biggest difference between the two formats is the level of customer interaction. In a brick-and-mortar location, we’ll be able to offer a more focused and immersive dining experience, building stronger relationships with regular customers. Other differences include the layout, marketing, branding, and overall efficiency of operations. I’m confident that with proper training, consistency, and a commitment to adapting to customer needs, we’ll be able to navigate these new dynamics successfully.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carmen Amato
Carmen Amato
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