NINA MANCHEV of Forte Tapas on Engaging Customers with Social Video — Restaurant Influencers (RI017)

TL;DR

Nina Manchev, owner of Forte Tapas in Las Vegas, shares her story of building a successful restaurant business and getting featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Transcript

Welcome to Restaurant Influencers Powered by Entreprenuer magazine and Yelp. My name is Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali Barbecue Media. We are grateful for Toast. Our primary point of Sale partner was sponsored this podcast and has brought us to this incredible table in life and in the restaurant business. We learned through lessons and stories. Tod... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Building relationships with local foodies and chefs can lead to valuable recommendations and exposure for a restaurant.
• 🔉 Content creation, storytelling, and social media engagement are essential for reaching a wider audience and strengthening customer connections.
• ❓ Utilizing technology, such as Toast's Point of Sale system, can streamline operations and improve the overall efficiency of a restaurant.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Nina Manchev get featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives?

Nina's restaurant gained exposure through recommendations from foodies and chefs in the community, leading the show's producers to visit her establishment. Another chef also recommended her restaurant, which ultimately got her featured on the show.

Q: What is the importance of storytelling and content creation for a restaurant brand?

Storytelling and content creation allow restaurants to connect with customers on a deeper level, showcase their unique offerings, and build a loyal customer base. Through content, such as YouTube cooking tutorials, Nina was able to maintain a relationship with her customers during the pandemic and empower them to recreate her recipes at home.

Q: How did Toast's technology benefit Nina's restaurant business?

Toast's Point of Sale system streamlined Nina's restaurant operations, providing tools for inventory management, labor tracking, and sales monitoring. The handheld ordering devices also enhanced the customer experience by allowing orders to be taken at the table.

Q: What advice does Nina have for aspiring entrepreneurs in the hospitality business?

Nina advises young entrepreneurs to have confidence, believe in their ideas, and not fear failure. She also emphasizes the importance of asking for help, accepting mentorship, and allowing employees to make mistakes and grow.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nina Manchev talks about her passion for connecting people to her culture and cuisine through her restaurant, Forte Tapas.

• She shares her experience of being featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and how it helped her gain exposure and new customers.

• Nina highlights the importance of storytelling, creating content, and utilizing social media to engage with customers and share her brand's story.