Put More Butts In Seats

About the Book

America 2009: In the midst of a national recession, restaurants are losing frequency of visit to people driven to stay home by the economy. Worse yet, grocery stores are moving in on their territory. Searching for ways to put more butts in seats, the Engel boys take those with the desire to invite people over to their house thru a fast-read on the good news--the return of invention to the restaurant industry. Along the way speed, convenience, price and quality give way to a place they call Storyville and 59 ways to find differentiation there. Faced with the harsh realities of restaurant saturation, rising commodity costs, and empty seats, restaurants discover that invention is king and ways to tell a story only they can own. Putting More Butts In Your Seats is an unexpected guide meant to jolt you into re-discovering your differentiation and leading the way there.

About the Author

They are brothers. Doug Engel is a dishwasher and founder of Louis Engel (hirelouie.com) that is busy creating desire for and working with restaurants. He thrives on the challenge of anticipating customer desires and has a certain knack for creating restaurant desire, style and stories that please people and put butts in seats. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Connie and son Zach Dakota. To learn more about Louie’s Kitchen , his proprietary process, write him at dengel@hirelouie.com or read his blog. David Engel is a Vice President of Sargento Inc. who is currently documenting the language of service. His background has afforded him a unique perspective of the foodservice industry including manufacturing, marketing and chain restaurant experience. He lives in Mequon, Wisconsin with his wife Laura. The third and oldest brother is Dennis Engel. He paved the way for us by breaking every rule you could as a kid and getting away with it. We thank him.