Here in Oakland, there is an awesome new bakery called Bakesale Betty. Of course you wouldn't know about it from the sign out front because there isn't one. And their signature product isn't a baked good at all--it's a sandwich.
I've been hearing about Bakesale Betty everywhere--from my wife, my kids, my neighbors and my patients. My son actually wanted their soon-to-be famous fried chicken sandwich for a Hanukkah present last week!
Now their baked goods are spectacular but that chicken sandwich is what gets people lined up out the door. And I'm not exaggerating about being lined up. However, you needn't be discouraged about the line because the service is unbelievably fast.
I finally had to visit Bakesale Betty for myself because I had been hearing so much about it. When I arrived with my wife, we got in line and Allison told me to check out the sandwich production. They make one kind of sandwich only--the fried chicken sandwich. It is 2 boneless chicken breasts, buttermilk fried, with jalapeno cabbage coleslaw on soft French roll. DEE-licious! About 1,000 calories, too, and worth every calorie.
So I walked alongside the line toward the back where the employees were in full production mode, everyone working on chicken sandwiches to-go. As I walked up, a very friendly guy behind the counter says "What can I get you?" Unusual, because I was apparently cutting the line. I said my wife was in line and I was just checking out production since it was my first time there.
He says to me, "First time, huh? Can I get you a sandwich?" I said, "No thanks, maybe next time." He says with a smile, "Listen, have a short bread cookie for you and your wife, and here is a sticky date pudding cake for you to try."
It was a gift.
I was an instant convert and Bakesale Betty's newest fan. The cookie and the cake were both out of this world. And I stole a bite of my son's sandwich at lunch-- it was was soooo good! Beyond the quality of the product, the friendliness and the service were well worth the trip as a business lesson. Some businesses spend so much on marketing when a simple gift of a free product is such great advertising. And friendly, helpful service goes such a long way in developing new business relationships.
I learned later that the guy who helped me was one of the owners. A very smart businessman and a heck of a nice guy. Bakesale Betty's is a winner!
I've been hearing about Bakesale Betty everywhere--from my wife, my kids, my neighbors and my patients. My son actually wanted their soon-to-be famous fried chicken sandwich for a Hanukkah present last week!
Now their baked goods are spectacular but that chicken sandwich is what gets people lined up out the door. And I'm not exaggerating about being lined up. However, you needn't be discouraged about the line because the service is unbelievably fast.
I finally had to visit Bakesale Betty for myself because I had been hearing so much about it. When I arrived with my wife, we got in line and Allison told me to check out the sandwich production. They make one kind of sandwich only--the fried chicken sandwich. It is 2 boneless chicken breasts, buttermilk fried, with jalapeno cabbage coleslaw on soft French roll. DEE-licious! About 1,000 calories, too, and worth every calorie.
So I walked alongside the line toward the back where the employees were in full production mode, everyone working on chicken sandwiches to-go. As I walked up, a very friendly guy behind the counter says "What can I get you?" Unusual, because I was apparently cutting the line. I said my wife was in line and I was just checking out production since it was my first time there.
He says to me, "First time, huh? Can I get you a sandwich?" I said, "No thanks, maybe next time." He says with a smile, "Listen, have a short bread cookie for you and your wife, and here is a sticky date pudding cake for you to try."
It was a gift.
I was an instant convert and Bakesale Betty's newest fan. The cookie and the cake were both out of this world. And I stole a bite of my son's sandwich at lunch-- it was was soooo good! Beyond the quality of the product, the friendliness and the service were well worth the trip as a business lesson. Some businesses spend so much on marketing when a simple gift of a free product is such great advertising. And friendly, helpful service goes such a long way in developing new business relationships.
I learned later that the guy who helped me was one of the owners. A very smart businessman and a heck of a nice guy. Bakesale Betty's is a winner!
