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Memorial Day Check-In

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Memorial Day Check-In

Consider this your Memorial Day Check-in!

This Memorial Day Weekend will look more ‘normal’ than some of our more recent pat holiday weekends. And like you, we are thankful. It has not been easy for the Food & Beverage industry.

Many restaurants and country clubs in our area are still offering outdoor dining. Dress up your table and add a level of protection. Table linens elevate every dining experience. Whether you use tablecloths or only cloth napkins, your guests will appreciate this extra touch. 

Even if you have not used table linens in the past, you may wish to consider temporarily incorporating them to your table setting. In recent studies, dining guests considered table linens as a sign of a more upscale experience. In addition, they also offer a level of protection. Plus, they are more affordable than you may think!

In addition, this is the perfect time to look over your upcoming weeks. Are there wedding or other special events coming up? Is your Father’s Day filling up with reservations? Place your linen orders in sooner rather than later.

First step, email info@bergenlinen.com or call (800) 789-8115.  What types of linens are you interested in? Do you also need bar mops, floor mats, aprons or uniforms?  A Bergen Linen team member would be happy to provide you a simple proposal. Every item and price is easy to understand and read. Full transparency.

When working with our F&B friends in New York and New Jersey, it is important that we build a relationship rather than ‘lock you in’. See the Bergen Linen difference today.

 

Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas

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Happy Mother's Day, Mother's Day Mother’s Day is just around the corner so you most likely have some Mother’s Day dinner ideas in mind. If you have the reservations and special menu, then complete the moment with a proper table setting. For those of you who own or manage a restaurant, this is the perfect opportunity to provide a memorable dining experience for your guests. To help you get started, we’ve put together some Mother’s Day dinner ideas with a focus on different types of table settings and themes that will make this day unforgettable. Let’s plan this celebratory dinner together.

The Mother’s Day and Restaurant Relationship

There are several reasons why Mother’s Day is a big holiday for restaurants. First and foremost, it’s a special occasion that celebrates the most important women in our lives- motherly figures. And for many, it’s a special day that many families and loved ones gather at a meeting place to share a special meal together. Secondly, Mother’s Day falls on a Sunday; this is already a traditionally a busy day for restaurants. Most people do not have work on Sundays so it’s an easy day to have everyone meet up. While a homemade meal is just as special, there is something very relaxing about not having to stress about a menu, the preparation, serving, and the clean-up. Mother’s Day is considered a very lucrative day for restaurants and so they can expect a higher than average number of customers. Lastly, your restaurant can use Mother’s Day as an opportunity to showcase your team’s amazing culinary skills with fine-tune delicious recipes. Often, eating establishments have a fixed menu, a special menu, holiday promotion, and other signature items. These offerings can help further build a restaurant’s reputation.

Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas: Choose a Theme

Fancy dinners are loved by pretty much everyone. From elevated comfort food to a mother figure’s favorite meal, highlight this meal with a proper placesetting. Of course, you should take into consideration your current space – and what will work with your dining area.
  1. Classic Elegance: When in doubt, it’s okay to keep it simple and classic. Crisp, white table or light pink table linens are always a great choice for such an occasion. If you are working with white table linens, you  may consider a pop of color to the table. A floral centerpiece or overlay may be a nice added touch.
  2. Rustic Charm: Some restaurants lend themselves to a more relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Consider using earthy tones such as golds, greens, and natural colors. Add some candles and wildflowers for a charming and rustic centerpiece.
  3. Modern Minimalism:  Restaurants with a more contemporary vibe tend to choose a black and white palette. While this concept looks great on a table, you still may want to add some fresh flowers or candles to give this special dinner a warm touch.
  4. Garden Tea Party: Mother’s Day falls in the springtime so a  garden tea party vibe is perfect. Of course, a tea party event is more likely to be a breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Pastels and colorful tablecloths paired with fresh flowers are a perfect pairing. If you are offering an actual tea party, there will need to be beautiful  teapots, cups, and saucers. Mix-and-match these pieces for an inviting look.

What to Serve on Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is more special than your average weeknight dinner. However, some motherly figures are interested in a more casual gathering.
  • Casual Meal. Casual food can still be packed with plenty of flavor. Rotisserie chicken is a classic recipe that everyone loves.
  • Classic Go-to. Think chicken Alfredo, chicken Marsala, roasted chicken, your famous Bolognese recipe, and more.
  • Brunch and Lunch. When it comes to a lighter meal, you may want to incorporate some small puff pastry bites and other appetizers.
  • Comfort Dish. A comforting dish such as a chicken pot pie is a fan-favorite. Beef stew is also another classic dinners guests love.
  • Elegant Dinner. Favorite foods include fresh fish, garlic butter steak, and other speciality treats.

Creating the Perfect Mother’s Day Meal

Choosing a theme that you and your team is comfortable with is the first step. You have enough on your plate (no pun intended) so lean into your current decor. Then, call your friends at Bergen Linen for the proper event table linen rentals.  By paying attention to the details, you can create a unique setting that will impress your guests. High-quality table linens, fresh flowers, elegant napkin rings, and more. All of these touches will bring a little luxury to your table. And most importantly, make sure that your guests feel appreciated and loved on this special day. While every day is a day to ‘wow’ guests, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take your restaurant to another level. By incorporating different types of table settings and themes, you can provide a memorable dining experience for your guests. To help with your Mother’s Day dinner ideas, call and speak with one of team members today.
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Spring Wedding Shower Linen Rentals

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Spring wedding shower linens are available for your upcoming event so why haven’t you placed your order? Whether you are an event planner or DIY party planner, Bergen Linen’s party linen rentals are welcome to your use.

Traditional Spring Bridal Shower

In the past, a common,  traditional bridal shower typically only included the bride, bridal party, female family, and friends. If we were to really dig back into history, some would say that a bridal shower evolved from dowry practices. This is when family and friends would present gifts to the bride-to-be to help start the new home.

As the bridal shower evolved, these special events were hosted by the maid of honor or bridesmaids. Spring is a very popular time for both weddings and showers. For many, it’s because of the symbolism regarding new beginnings and a fresh start. With so many spring weddings, it is only natural that showers would also fall around the same time.

Spring Wedding Showers Today

 Today’s bridal shower has transitioned from female-only to sometimes co-ed. And there’s no wrong choice. Your wedding bridal shower guests are a personal choice in how you wish to spend your day – and who the couple is. LGBTQ+ weddings and modern couples often welcome the chance to open the wedding shower invitation list to a broader group.

Spring Wedding and  Bridal Shower Themes

While not every event needs a theme, it is quite helpful to have an actual color scheme. Often, these go hand-in-hand. Here are a few shower themes:

  • Coastal
  • Victorian romantic
  • Halloween
  • Winter wonderland
  • Spring brunch
  • Outdoor rustic
  • Black-and-white

Fortunately, Bergen Linen offers wedding and bridal shower tablecloths  that will fit in seamless with any floral arrangements or other bridal shower table decoration.

Your wedding shower linen rentals could possibly include tablecloths, napkins, overlays, runners, chair covers, and sashes. When choosing your wedding venue, take into consideration what party linen rentals will be needed to create the dream tablescape you (or your wedding client) envisioned.

Spring Wedding and Bridal Shower Menu Options

First, it will need to be decided if the spring wedding shower will be a formal event, casual, sit-down, or buffet. Also, you will need to decide if the celebration will be in the morning, afternoon, or dinnertime. Most often, wedding showers are brunch of afternoon affairs. Your food menu options should also coincide with your wedding / bridal shower party ideas.

Breakfast 

A breakfast wedding shower is perfect for all your favorites including quiche, french toast, and pancakes. Then, you can wow guests with all the toppings and sides such as fresh fruit and homemade whip cream. Consider some perfect breakfast cocktails such as Mimosas and or Bloody Mary.

Lunch

When it comes to spring wedding shower lunches, there are lots of choices. Plus, the menu can also be tailored to properly accompany your wedding shower theme. Some popular food options are: sandwiches, salads, charcuterie platters, appetizers, and sliders. 

Of course, brunch would be the perfect combination of a couple’s breakfast and lunch picks to please their loved ones.

Spring Wedding and Bridal Shower Games

When choosing your wedding shower games, consider your guest list. You (or your client) know them best. So what do you think they’d like best?

For a more traditional bridal shower, think of all those games you may have played at other brides’ showers. 

  • Toilet paper wedding gown
  • Who knows the bride bette Q & A
  • Famous couples pairing
  • Gift bingo

Modern and co-wed wedding showers can include some traditional and some more inclusive games such as couple’s trivia, wedding Mad Libs, Pictionary, Two Truths and a Lie, etc.

What to Consider When Ordering Wedding Shower Linens

While some factors were previously mentioned, it’s important to review what to consider prior to ordering your party linens.

  • Wedding shower theme
  • Formal or casual event
  • Wedding / bridal shower theme
  • Color scheme

From bright colors to pastels, our inventory is ready. But first, we need your event space’s table measurements. .It’s important to know your table measurement and what type of drop you prefer. Keep in mind that more formal events will typically call for a full drop. Questions about what size table linens are needed? Please call our team member with your table’s measurements so they can provide some options for you. And don’t forget your dessert table and any other tables for items such as a waffle bar, wedding shower presents, or anything you can dream up.

No party is too big or too small. Party linen rentals are welcome to restaurants, caterers, event designers and DIY party planners. Depending on the couple, the host could mean the maid of honor, man of honor, family and/or friends. When planning, they will be looking into making this day special. Will you be ready for party linen rental requests?

Call Bergen Linen today to discuss your wedding shower linen needs

Earth Day

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Celebrating Earth Day 2023 As you already may know, Saturday is the day that go above and beyond to share eco-friendly tips with one another. Together, we can make a difference in what goes into our landscape.

Earth Day 2023

As the world celebrates Earth Day, it’s important to recognize the significance of sustainability in business practices. For businesses, sustainable practices not only contribute to environmental conservation but also provide long-term benefits, including cost savings, brand differentiation, and improved stakeholder relations.

Building a Sustainable Brand

In today’s world, consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental issues and expect businesses to take sustainability seriously. Building a sustainable brand not only helps businesses differentiate themselves in the marketplace but also creates a loyal customer base that shares their values. Businesses can achieve this by using eco-friendly materials, designing sustainable packaging, and communicating their sustainability efforts through marketing and advertising campaigns.

Improving Stakeholder Relations

Sustainable business practices also play an important role in improving stakeholder relations. Investors, customers, employees, and communities expect businesses to operate in a responsible and ethical manner. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can build trust with stakeholders, demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and ultimately improve their reputation and bottom line.

Conclusion

As we celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to recognize the role of businesses in environmental conservation. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future while also benefiting from long-term cost savings, improved brand differentiation, and stronger stakeholder relations. Sustainable business practices are not only good for the environment but also good for business.

 
 

 

 

At Bergen Linen, we strive to provide our clients with the very best in Food and Beverage linen services. (Hospitality linens too!)  When providing these services, our team understands the importance of keeping the community in mind. This means taking extra precaution on what we put out into the environment.  Green practices are an important part of our everyday operations.

Consider an informal business ‘green’ audit. There are several ways that we can cut down on waste and save on energy. Here are a few helpful tips:

  • Research eco-friendly take-out packaging
  • Inspect and maintain appliances
  • Share tips on minimalist lifestyle choices
  • Choose cleaning agents that are not harmful to our planet
  • Encourage team to carpool or use public transportation

For a little inspiration, check out these companies going above and beyond. Earth Day 2022 is the perfect time to start with some new eco-friendly  ways.

Don’t forget to share your ideas on how we can all do our part as well!

Deciding Restaurant Hours of Operation

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Timing your business for success. 

A restaurant’s hours of operation can be influenced by a number of factors including the type of restaurant, location, target audience, and competition.

Whether you are in the planning stage or have been opened for 20 years, you should always be looking for the best way to serve your community. And sometimes, this may mean visiting areas that have already been set in place; this includes your dining hours.

How to Determine Hours of Operation

Hours of operation can be influenced by a number of factors, including the type of restaurant, the target audience, location, and competition.

Let’s take a closer look at these factors:

  1. Type of Restaurant. The type of cuisine and restaurant style (e.g. casual, formal) can influence its hours of operation. For example, a fine-dining restaurant may only be open for dinner. And a casual café may serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, restaurants that cater to specific customer needs, such as a late night diner, may choose to stay open later.
  2. Target Audience. Your target audience plays a role in your hours of operation. As an example, a family-oriented restaurant may choose to open early for breakfast and close early to accommodate families with young children. On the other hand, a restaurant in a vibrant area may choose to open later and stay open later to attract younger crowds hitting the town.
  3. Neighborhood. Like above, a restaurant in the heart of a nightlife district may want to shift hours to cater to their largest crowd. Busy commercial areas call for a business to have early hours. Residential dining in a more suburban area can certainly have more conservative hours.
  4. Competitors. If other restaurants in the area are open late, you may choose to stay open later to attract customers who are looking for a late-night meal. Give them the option they deserve and are looking for. In New Jersey, a restaurant does not have to try and compete with a 24-hour dining empire; it should take into consideration its specific type of dining establishment.

New York and New Jersey Restaurant Hours

Depending on where you are from, New York and New Jersey neighborhoods vary considerably. Therefore, it’s important to understand who your target diners. With this kind of consideration, your hours of operation will fall in line with the right audience.

In addition, seasonality may also play part. If your business is in a tourist area, shift hours to handle the influx of tourists. If your area slows down in the summer, take this into consideration and shave off a few hours off restaurant opening times.

While there are all these factors to take into consideration, you know your business first. Take the time to research your busy times. Listen to customer feedback. When making decisions about your hours, do what works best for your restaurant (and team).

Be sure to check out other restaurant industry tips from Bergen Linen.

Bergen Linen at the CSCNetwork Annual Convention

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Last week, the Hallaks were fortunate to have attended the CSCNetwork Annual Convention in Las Vegas. This year’s event was  held in Las Vegas.

The CSCNetwork has over 180 members – independent  rental laundries in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Like Bergen Linen, these members provide quality linen and uniform rentals.

What is the CSC Network

The CSCNetwork was founded in 1979. Its mission is to help linen companies be able to stay independent. CSC believes in keeping the linen rental industry stay fair. 

They support their mission by providing linen providers resources. In addition, smaller operations can receive rebates and special pricing to give them buying power; this helps create more of a balance in terms of competing with national companies.

CSCNetwork Annual Convention

The convention is the perfect way to bring all CSC’s members together. For two days, various team members from these independent launderers come together.

During the convention, there were many keynote speakers, John-Claude and John, Jr., tried to take in as many presentations as time permit. The topics were varied and included: industry trends, sales,  production best practices, and more.

The Future Looks Bright

When you attend a conference offering this much industry insights, it’s easy to return eager to make some changes. And that’s exactly what we are doing.

If your goal is to be the best, then it’s important to always remain open to the very latest in techniques, training, and equipment. The future looks bright at Bergen Linen – and we look forward to wowing you.