July 7, 2017 Owner & Franchise Communications

Launch of Courtyard’s Bistro 2.0

Additional information will be provided to Managed by Marriott (MxM) owners of Courtyard branded hotels in the U.S. in the coming weeks.

With almost 900 Bistros in the U.S. and Canada, the Bistro is a key differentiator for Courtyard. The Courtyard brand is now entering the final phase of the evolution journey, with a focus on creating the target guest’s desired experience by elevating the overall quality and enhancing the evening experience.

At the Marriott Select Brand GM Conference in New Orleans, the Courtyard brand unveiled the new Bistro menu, Bistro 2.0, which includes the following:

Additional shareable items to capture the pre/post-dinner crowd and more satisfying evening entrees for those that choose to dine in the Bistro.
New serving ware and elevated menu item presentation also contribute to the experience.
A new Bistro logo and supporting collateral.
Enhanced merchandising presentation, from pastries in the morning to bar tools and beverage ingredients in the evening.
An evening bar experience which invites guests to linger in the Bistro.
A simplified approach to seasonal offerings which addresses current operational challenges shared in property feedback.

The Courtyard brand’s Bistro 2.0 pilot is currently underway, and we are incorporating learnings from all early adopters into the final program. Properties will begin preparing for the transition to Bistro 2.0 this month.

PHASE	KEY ACTIVITIES
Prepare	July 10 – July 31: Properties order new serving ware. Details will be available on MGS as of July 10.
Transition + Training	Early September: Select “go live” date: December 5, January 3, or March 1. (Training will begin approximately 60 days before “go live” date) New serving ware arrives on property. Begin using new serving ware with current menu. 60 days before “go live” date: Marriott will provide a 60 day implementation plan and all necessary resources to support the transition.
Launch	December 5, January 3, or March 1: “Go Live” with Bistro 2.0.

As a reminder, each property was asked to budget $6,000 for Bistro 2.0 implementation in 2017 (2017 Property Budget Instructions). The breakdown is as follows:

$4,000: Approximate cost of new serving ware. Orders placed by July 31 will be shipped and invoiced by Wasserstrom in September.
$1,000: Will be billed by Marriott in November for training materials and collateral development.
The remaining $1,000 will be used by the property for new food inventory, Bistro collateral, etc.

View the Bistro MGS page for more details. Complete resources will be available on MGS by October 1. Should you have any questions, contact refreshingbusiness@marriott.com.