Here’s a fun little tidbit for your Friday!

Do you think your restaurant is as deserving of awards as any Michelin-starred establishment?  Watch out; according to a USAToday article, you never know who the Michelin inspectors could be:

“ ‘There are men, women, fat, thin, little, blond, black, Japanese, French, European,’ said Christian Delhaye, who runs Michelin's guides and maps division, which includes 22 dining guides.”

And what I found even more incredible than their expert disguises were their expenses:

“Michelin's 80 inspectors each run up annual expenses of more than $156,920 in restaurant, hotel and gas receipts, Delhaye said.”

Amazing.  The article goes on to say that the Michelin guides draw very little profit; all that expense simply adds up to some great brand recognition.

Of course, the Michelin guide doesn’t cover every city around, and so your restaurant may not get the chance to appear where it rightfully belongs.  However, the Internet has given customers a very powerful voice, and a positive review on sites like Yelp.com and Chow.com can help bring more customers to your business.  At very no expense, you’ll have your own bit of brand recognition through the web!

Click this link to read the entire Michelin guide article.  And have a fantastic weekend!