Author: Brooke Botwinick

The Harrowing Tale of the Failed (Self-Managed) RFP Process

Once upon a time, there was a cultural institution in a major metropolitan city.  This institution had everything; robust daily attendance, a lovely café, beautiful event spaces, international recognition, phenomenal collections and a major expansion on the horizon that included a full-service restaurant! It seemed that nothing could go wrong. Until one day, it was […]

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The Power of the KPI!

KPI’s or Key Performance Indicators are incredibly powerful tools for measuring an operator’s success within a subsidized environment. KPI’s are most often included in management contracts that include a risk/reward component. We love KPI’s, but they are only effective if they are measurable! The first step in creating powerful KPI’s is defining what is most […]

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The Art of Balance: Food Service Operations and Mission-Related Activities at Museums

Museums are not just repositories of art and artifacts; they are cultural hubs that serve as platforms for education, exploration, and community engagement. Balancing food service operations with the mission driven activities of a museum is a delicate art that requires careful planning and execution. In this blog, we’ll explore strategies for achieving this balance […]

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JGL Annual Retreat 2023

On November 6, 2023, the JGL Team met in Philadelphia for the 2nd Annual JGL Retreat! The formula for the few days together is simple; eat some delicious food, talk about industry trends, develop new ways to do more for our clients and most importantly, have fun! 2023 did not disappoint! Here’s a look at […]

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2023 in Review

At JGL, we like to look back at the end of each year and take a moment to highlight everything that our small, but mighty team has accomplished. See below for some of this year’s company highlights: In 2023, JGL has… Completed more than 50 projects Set two new company records: Highest number of RFP’s […]

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Private Events in Public Spaces

Museums, gardens, performing arts centers, zoos, aquariums, and libraries all have one thing in common – they are mission driven public venues that are sought after for private functions! There is nothing more exciting to a potential client than feeling like their guests will have exclusive access to a public space. If your organization can […]

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How Do You Know if Your Campus Food Service Operation is Succeeding? Do an Assessment!

JGL is perhaps best known as a dining consultancy that conducts RFP processes for its higher-ed clients nationwide. While RFP processes are a key part of what we do, we actually see assessments as the most valuable process a higher-ed institution can undertake. All too often a university is sold by an Operator’s well-polished sales […]

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Shop ‘Til You…CLICK!

JGL works with cultural organizations across the US and Canada, and we have noticed many museums looking for guidance on their e-commerce programs. It’s great to have the ability to sell products on-line, but it’s more important to have a strategy that makes the on-line presence effective. To make an online museum store a success, […]

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A Great Concession Experience Can Steal the Show!

A great concession experience at a performing arts center can significantly enhance the overall enjoyment of patrons attending shows or events. Here are some elements that can contribute to a memorable concession experience: Diverse Menu Options: Offer a diverse range of menu options to cater to various tastes and dietary preferences. Include both traditional favorites […]

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Help! We Need More Staff!

The food service industry has faced staffing challenges in the aftermath of COVID-19. Are you and your food service partner doing everything possible to create an attractive work environment? It is important that you strategize with your operator to develop mutually agreed upon expectations. This is especially important if a management fee structure is in […]

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