Chris Olson has been working at BEC for 8 years in several capacities. He has installed numerous large chain accounts in states other than Colorado.

Before coming to BEC Chris worked in various jobs at several local restaurants including The Outback, Applebees and Woody’s Pizza. He looks forward to expanding his industry knowledge and continuing to grow with BEC.
Chris, was awarded EOTM because: Staff Service Recognition – Most Customers Served

Please give a huge pat on the back to CHRIS OLSON for serving the most customers! In January, he took 477 calls that came into the Help Desk! He also placed 340 outbound calls (and not all to his girlfriend!). Thanks for the ongoing hard work Chris!

The ECO-Gift CARD Act postponed the effective date of certain gift card provisions that were in last year’s CARD Act until January 31, 2011.  With that date fast approaching make sure your cards meet the new gift card regulations. 

The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, also called the CARD Act, restricts the fees and expiration dates that may apply to gift cards.  Any cards sold on or after January 31, 2011 must fully comply with the requirements, including any disclosure requirements that apply.

• Gift cards and gift certificates cannot incur inactivity, dormancy, and service fees unless they go unused for at least 12 months, and the amount and terms of the fee must be disclosed to the user in advance.  After a year, only one fee can apply in a given calendar month.

• Expiration dates on gift cards must be at least five years after the date of issuance, or five years after the date when funds were last loaded, whichever occurred later.  The expiration date must be disclosed upfront. 

• The Rules do not displace state laws that regulate Gift Cards, except in situations where the state laws are inconsistent with the Rules (which the Rules explicitly say does not include a state law that is more protective of consumers), and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.  This means that, as a general rule, Gift Card issuers and sellers will have to ensure that they comply with both the Rules and any applicable laws in the forty or so states that regulate Gift Cards.  In California, for example, dormancy fees aren’t allowed, except on balances under $5 and expiration dates aren’t allowed at all.  Here’s a rundown of all the state gift card laws, from Consumers Union.

• The act also requires, if any fees are imposed, disclosure on the card of a toll-free number and, if one is maintained, a Web site that a consumer may use to obtain fee information or replacement certificates or cards. 

Not every type of gift card is covered by the law.  Cards that are issued in connection with a loyalty, award, or promotional program, or that are reloadable and not marketed or labeled as gift card or gift certificate, are not subject to the restrictions on imposing dormancy, inactivity, or service fees, or on expiration dates.  The rule does require that a loyalty, reward or promotional gift card state on the front of the card both that it is issued for loyalty, award, or promotional purposes as well as any funds expiration date that may apply.  In addition, all fees, including any dormancy, inactivity, or service fees, must be disclosed on or with the loyalty, award, or promotional gift card. 

Make sure your next card order complies with the new regulations! 

For more information visit the Federal Reserve Board Web site at http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/bcreg20100323a1.pdf

Implementation - Menu Link Specialist
I am a Colorado native that grew up in the Loveland/Ft. Collins area and moved to Denver in 1997. I started my restaurant career at 16 years old and I have held every position in the restaurant industry. I have managed restaurants ranging from sports bars and night clubs to quick service casual dining. In my most recent position as a restaurant manager, I used MenuLink Back Office Assistant to manage inventory, purchasing and labor. After using MenuLink for 5 years I couldn’t imagine running a restaurant without it.

Five years ago I was given an opportunity to manage the MenuLink product for BEC and it seemed like the perfect fit. I am able to apply my restaurant management experience and problem solving skills to help other restaurants increase their profitability and decrease time spent in the office. It has been truly rewarding to see the incredible growth that some of our customers have achieved and to know that the products and services we provide have played a part their growth.

Rob is responsible for running a 24/7 Customer service department. ( A demanding position) He is right there with his staff 24/7. Not only does he effectively run the customer service department 24/7, he is the go to person for hard to solve technical problems. With a long work history in restaurants and a survivor of the dotcom bust, BEC was a perfect fit for Rob. Read the rest of this entry »