About Mark Ellis

Mark is responsible for the promotion of Welcome Systems' wide array of hospitality products and services. A self-confessed geek, Mark spends his personal time indulging in a number of passions that include photography, music-making, cycling and football. But not at the same time, obviously.

5 things you may have forgotten to include on your restaurant website

By |November 25th, 2016|

Every business owner has, at some stage, taken a look at their website only to question why on earth a vital piece of information is missing.

Usually, it’s something obvious. The telephone number (no, really – it happens), or even the crucial call-to-action button that tells visitors exactly what they need to do in order to […]

3 zero-cost Facebook campaigns for restaurants

By |November 16th, 2016|

In a world of Snapchat, Pinterest and Instagram, Facebook is something of an old hand. In fact, it’s hard to believe that the world’s most recognisable social network was originally launched way back in 2004.

Back then, it was nothing more than a vehicle used by college kids in America to connect with one another. Now, […]

Blog of the week: restaurants defying tired trends (WSJ)

By |October 28th, 2016|

Constant improvement is something the restaurant industry has long strived for. And, generally speaking, it’s been rather successful at it, even if it occasionally falls foul of being more pretentious than is strictly necessary.

In our blog of the week, the Wall Street Journal looks at seven new restaurants that laugh in the face of tired, old, […]

It’s not too late! How to make the most of Halloween at your restaurant

By |October 26th, 2016|

Panic stations! Halloween is but days away and you’ve done absolutely nothing marketing-wise for your restaurant that could even remotely be described as ‘spooky’.

Don’t worry. There’s still time. In fact, this time of the year is all about surprising people and catching them off guard, so a bit of last minute promotion isn’t a bad […]

Unusual marketing ideas for restaurants (that don’t involve getting naked)

By |October 19th, 2016|

London’s first eating establishment to actively encourage its diners to remove every item of clothing before settling down for a slap up meal (if you’ll excuse the expression) had over 46,000 people on its waiting list at launch. Forget the naked chef – naked restaurants are on the rise.

Forty-six thousand people willing to get naked. In […]

Blog of the week: the kind of beers restaurants should STOP selling (Uncorkd)

By |October 14th, 2016|

The craft beer market is thriving, with small and independent brewers continuing to grow in double-digit figures. As such, restaurants and bars are regularly forced to decide which logos to place on their pumps and the types of bottles that should adorn their fridges.

There’s a good chance, however, that they haven’t thought a great deal about […]

Should restaurants develop their own mobile apps?

By |October 12th, 2016|

For anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time within the tech realm <raises hand>, the rate at which software has become a permanent fixture in modern day society is simply staggering.

‘Apps’ (the word ’software’ has all but been consigned to the history books) are now an intrinsic part of the world we occupy. […]

5 schoolboy errors that will upset diners

By |October 4th, 2016|

We’re all human. Sometimes, we make mistakes – silly mistakes.

Unfortunately, in the restaurant trade, even the silliest of errors can result in very unhappy diners. And unhappy diners talk; consumer opinion drives commerce in the modern world and if you inadvertently upset a guest, the domino effect of their anger can be rather frightening.

It starts […]

Blog of the week: how tech will shape the future of restaurant management (Modern Restaurant Management)

By |September 30th, 2016|

We live in exciting times. Big data, an ever-expanding social media landscape and devices which appear to be capable of pre-empting our movements may understandably strike fear into those worried about privacy and big brother tactics on behalf of massive corporations, but they also present incredible opportunities for small businesses.

Restaurants, in particular, are likely to benefit […]

How to land that job as a waiter or waitress

By |September 29th, 2016|

If you’re good with people, love food, enjoy working in busy environments and value camaraderie and teamwork over sole endeavours, working front of house in a restaurant could be the perfect career.

Perfect, but challenging, mind. For every nice customer, there’s a difficult one who demands every green bean to be cut to the same length; […]