Vic Pichette, President of U.S. Bar Spotters, says, “I have been working with the hospitality industry for over 20 years, and I can tell you from experience, all of the above industries lose a lot of money that they don’t have to, even when they are making money”.

Pichette has spoken with hundreds of business owners who say that losing money is the nature of the business. “Why would an owner accept the fact that “losing money is part of doing business”, asks Pichette. “ I not only have witnessed owners say this, but I have actually watched many companies go out of business because of this attitude. There are simple solutions that can help stop the losses, but more times than not, some owners do not seem interested in fixing the problems”.

So why does Pichette know so much about the hospitality industry, you may ask. Is he some kind of restaurant guru or past owner? Maybe he has been a bartender or chef at one time in his career.

Pichette says, “I’m none of the above. In fact, I have never had a job in the hospitality industry. However, I can assure you, I know more about how these companies lose money, and what to do to stop it from happening than most owners who have been in the industry for years.”

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So what does Pichette do that makes him an expert?

Pichette is a Licensed Private Investigator.

“Before you start laughing”, Pichette says, “Hear me out for a minute. Over twenty years ago, I was hired by restaurant and nightclub owners to investigate bartenders who were suspected of stealing. Like any investigation, the clients felt that my company could bring a professional, legal, and independent perspective, and provide the best evidence.

They were right, and that started me on a career path of investigating bartender theft. Twenty years later, I still own my PI agency, but my real love is my hospitality consulting business called U.S. Bar Spotters.

The business is designed to find all the areas where companies lose money, and then we show owners how to fix the problems. These days it is not just bartender’s theft that cause losses. Losses include over-pouring liquor, giving away free drinks, using top shelf liquor when the customer doesn’t pay for it, and outright stealing cash. But let’s not stop there. Companies also lose money from poor customer service, bartenders and wait staff eating and drinking, poor management skills, a lack of inventory control, low food quality, poor employee attitudes, and not having any companywide policy and procedures.”

Pichette says, “It has always been a struggle trying to sell owners on the idea that they need to spend a little money to keep the money they already make. I could spend all day talking about conversations with owners who feel that there not having any problems, or the owner who feels that losing money is part of doing business.”

Pichette’s company web site, www.usbarspotters.com states that their goal is to help clients save money, and make more money, period. Pichette claims that it is the only company of its type in RI, and it is growing at a rapid pace. He says the goal is to expanding into Massachusetts, Connecticut, and possibly nationwide.

“The need for this type of service is bigger than ever in today’s economy”, Pichette says. “Why would someone work so hard at trying to gain new business, and not work just as hard at keeping the money they already make, it just makes sense. When we show a new client where and how much money they are losing, they are usually shocked. Most owners have no idea how bad it actually is. However, we don’t leave the client hanging after we show them where they are losing money; we actually work with them to fix the areas that need improvement”.

Pichette says that U.S. Bar Spotters offer unique services like, Covert Video Training Programs, (CVTP) that work better than any training program available to the hospitality industry today. They can also help write new company policies and procedures, which really make a big difference. The policies can cover all aspects of the business from door policies, to a bartender’s “steps to the register”. They actually meet with staff to go over the new policies and answer any questions that they may have.

Pichette says that the basic package consists of a 2-Hour covert evaluation by one of the U.S. Bar Spotters professional spotters. They take the observed information and put it into a rating system and narrative report. And they will also include a comments and recommendation section. Pichette says, “When we meet with the client to go over the report, it is usually an eye-opening experience.”

You can find more information on U.S. Bar Spotters by visiting www.usbarspotters.com. Or call or E-Mail Vic at 401-225-4104 or usbs@cox.net for a free consultation.