It’s not enough for your employees to simply know their products. They also have to use that product knowledge. The Top This! contest gives employees an opportunity to do just that — before they hit the floor. Here’s how it works.
What You’ll Need
- Prizes for the winning team.
- Selected menu items to feature in the contest.
Getting Started
Before your pre-shift meeting, select several menu or bar items you want to feature in the Top This! contest, and write their names on a piece of paper.
At the meeting, split your staff into two teams, dividing the best players equally.
Have one member of each team stand face-to-face and take turns describing food items or drinks with phrases that highlight features (“They’re covered with bubbly cheese”), benefits (“They’ll go great with your beers”) and value (“They’re only $4.95). The Top This! exchange continues until one person gets stumped. For example:
Peach Pie
Contestant A: Fresh peaches!
Contestant B: Graham cracker crust!
Contestant A: Fresh whipped cream!
Contestant B: Light!
Contestant A: Fruity!
Contestant B: Only $3.50
Contestant A: Popular!
Contestant B: Refreshing!
Contestant A: Goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Contestant B: Uhhhh…
The stumped contestant has been “seated.” The first team to seat all the members of the opposing team, or the team to seat the most opponents in a designated time period, wins. Reward the winners with lottery tickets or other small, inexpensive prizes.
Close the meeting with a discussion about the features and benefits of menu items you’d like to focus sales on for that shift.
