The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators. 

Four Wall Analysis Feb 06, 2023

When it comes to managing a profitable operation, knowing your key financial drivers of the store is paramount. Developing a “Four-Wall Analysis” is a helpful tool to better understanding both revenue...

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Getting Your Products Into Retail Feb 06, 2023

Eureka! A new product is born!

Created in your kitchen or the garage, it is your dream, your vision. It’s your baby. Now what? How does one go about selling the product through the retail channel? Se...

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The Keys To Merchandising Feb 06, 2023

“Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs the T-shirt. Spaceballs the lunchbox. Spaceballs the coloring book. Spaceballs… the flamethrower! Kids love it. A...

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Creating An Advertising Plan Feb 06, 2023

As you have probably gathered from reading my other articles, I am a firm believer in planning for success. Whether it is operational excellence, de-branding a store or outlining your procedures and p...

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Maintaining A Store-By-Store Database Feb 06, 2023

There comes a time in every multi-unit retailer’s business cycle that they want to launch a new product that requires a reconfiguration to their store. I am not talking about a raze-and-rebuild, but r...

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Retail Facilities Management Feb 06, 2023

It was the situation that everyone dreads. Out of the blue, the anxiety-filled request was made – the CEO had summoned me to his office. Thoughts raced through my head – mostly bad thoughts, mind you ...

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Optimizing A Convention Feb 06, 2023

Whether this is your first industry convention or you are a seasoned pro, I am a firm believer that establishing a well-thought out plan in advance of attending an industry convention is key for optim...

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Integrating Acquisitions Feb 06, 2023

Growing your enterprise can usually be accomplished following two paths: a) organic growth – the process of building your overall portfolio of stores through the development of ground-up store build o...

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HELP! I Have To Deliver A Presentation! Feb 06, 2023

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.”

– George Jessel

What is it about public speaking that drives people nuts? Many studies...

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Branded vs. Proprietary Foodservice Feb 06, 2023

The debate has gone on for many years–should you implement an existing branded foodservice program or are you better off developing your own unique proprietary brand?  This answer is yes to both! Ther...

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Real Estate Site Evaluation Form Feb 06, 2023

Evaluating new sites for the multi-unit operator can be a daunting task.  The operator is constantly chasing a number of potential opportunities only to have a few select sites come to fruition.  Comp...

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Brand Positioning – The Semantic Differential Feb 06, 2023

One of the most interesting activities that I have been involved with regarding branding is called a Semantic Differential exercise. It is important to delineate salient attributes that form the brand...

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