Merchant Cash Advance Blog

Competing with large chain stores can be difficult but the small business owner has a greater ability to adapt quickly to popular trends.  One important trend to take note of is the upgrade in food offerings.  Gone are the days of the over-priced pre-packaged tuna sandwich.  Business owners that are looking to remain competitive are wise to look into menu improvements.  Much like the restaurant industry, the increased demand for healthy and fresh foods has affected sales in convenience stores across the country.  While it’s a good idea to offer local favorites you should also experiment with different tastes.  Unique foods will create brand loyalty and will help to increase your sales of other products.  While there can be some limitations when it comes to space and equipment, the investment in better food can spawn an entirely new revenue source.  Here we’ve outlined some of the different types of menu items that can take your C-Store to the next level.

With the majority of your budget going towards inventory, payroll and utilities, many small business owners struggle to find the capital to grow.  Often times the security of your company is the last aspect you have money set aside to address.  The importance of physical and online security cannot be understated as a breech to either can be significantly detrimental to the longevity of your business.  The security of your employees as well as your equipment and inventory can often take a backseat when it comes to budget but this can prove to be a big mistake.  Here we’ve outlined some security measures that should be taken to ensure the overall safety of your business.

With cold days upon us, customers will be flocking to restaurants for something to warm them up.  While keeping your traditional dishes center stage it may be a good idea to add a few winter favorites to heat up your menu.  Constantly evolving your offerings to meet the ever developing American pallet is essential to restaurant success.  Using seasonal menu items to test the waters and see what works for your customer base will help you to evolve while keeping costs lower.  It also provides an opportunity for your chefs to get creative and develop new signature items.  Here we’ve compiled a few of our favorite winter recipes to increase your restaurant revenue.

In a recent survey conducted by TSYS (Total System Services) 78% of Americans stated they prefer to pay by credit or debit card while only 9% prefer to use cash.  This is a trend that is continuing and the small business owner needs to be educated and account for this change.  There have been many changes to liability laws regarding EMV card transactions and here we’ve provided a breakdown of the differences.

In order for small businesses to remain competitive they must take some tips from their larger competitors when it comes to growth.  There are many different strategies that can be used and the type you choose will mostly depend on your financial resources and your competition.  While most owners recognize the need to grow, many are unsure of how to go about it.  It’s important to first take a look at the different types of strategies available and then determine which ones will bring about the best results.  This can take some trial and error but becoming familiar with your options can streamline the process.  Here we’ve outlined six of the most common ways big business uses to increase their market share.  While many small business owners may be familiar with these strategies, few have dedicated the time and resources to making them work.  In today’s business world if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking, and if the need for growth is ignored, small businesses stand to disappear completely.