Every month, millions of people use Facebook Events to help them discover and connect with their communities. Your event should be one of them. Maybe you’re hosting an art opening, offering a unique coffee tasting, or planning a customer-appreciation party. Facebook events allow you to quickly create a listing, send out invites, and keep guests updated on every detail. Here are some best practices to consider the next time you launch a Facebook event.

According to research firm Mintel, 29.2 million Americans have posted a food or drink picture at a restaurant in the past month. A full 14% of these folks have posted a positive comment on a restaurant’s social media page in the same period. But despite all the rave reviews, only 17% of those polled were influenced by a positive review to eat at a certain establishment, possibly due to the right promos.

As restaurants across the country experience the slight uptick in business that comes with Daylight Savings time, it’s worth considering what will keep customers coming back to a particular establishment. According to ongoing industry research by market-research firm Mintel:

• Cleanliness is paramount to 96% of restaurant goers
• Menu selection and variety are most important to 94% of folks,
• Comfortable seating is the most important component of a visit-worthy atmosphere for 91% of those surveyed.

Peter Baskerville is a retail coffee expert who has opened more than 20 coffeehouses.Though he hails from Australia, his advice on how to compete with Starbucks and other big chains applies in the U.S.

QR codes are popping up everywhere, and people are intrigued. They’re on direct-mail pieces, promotional posters, business cards and billboards—and as alluring as website URLs and Facebook-page promos were when they first came on the scene.

But what is a QR code, and why should you care? These 2-D barcodes can be scanned by a smart-phone camera to transfer data. They might direct the viewer to a website, make a phone call, or deliver a vCard or coupon. They can also provide photos, reviews, directions, and event dates and times. (Here’s a great video on QR codes that brilliantly explains their functionality.)

As the weather warms, we see a huge increase in the number of cold beverages that cafes are selling. One of these beverages, iced tea, is often overlooked.

Iced tea is both easy to make and extremely profitable.

What are you doing for cold drinks?  If you are in the specialty coffee business, an effective cold drink menu is critical. Just look at the year-round success of drinks like the Caribou Cooler and Jamba fruit smoothies.