Eat at Joe’s Project:

Joe’s Diner has been around as long as most folks can remember. Unfortunately, business
has not been so good lately. A lot of new, exciting restaurants have moved into the old
neighborhood, and Joe is feeling the pressure to keep up. He’s thinking of making some changes to
liven things up and attract a new crowd. Joe is currently taking proposals for new ideas, and he
could really use your help. *You will be competing against the other groups in your class to
persuade Joe that your thoughtful planning will result in a successful restaurant for him!

Your group’s task will be to create a proposal to change the image of Joe’s Diner to get
people flocking back to his place. Together, you all will be responsible for:
1. Devising a new theme and décor changes for his restaurant and write it
up as
a proposal
2. Considering and calculating a budget for your restaurant
3. Redesigning a one page menu (front side of a piece of paper)
4. Creating a one page print advertisement for Joe’s grand re-
opening
5. Designing a floor plan/blueprint of the restaurant showing the layout
6. Create and perform a commercial persuading people to try the new restaurant
7. Presenting all of the above on a project board to the class on _Tuesday, 2/10_

Please note: Our intention is that you follow the timeline below in order to complete your project
in school. Although we will not be using computers for these tasks, you are not required to
complete them on a computer. If your group decides that a group member will take a portion home
in order to type it or use the computer for any purpose, it is the group’s option. However, nothing
will be printed at school, and points will be deducted for any portion of the project that is missing
on the day it is due. It is also optional for you to work on this outside of school, although it is not
required in any way. If your group stays on task, it is possible to complete this fully in class. All
group members will receive the same score on the project.

Steps:
Day 1: Together with members of your group, decide a THEME for the new Joe’s. This can be
based on anything—music, movies, TV shows, politics, fashion, professions, decades, cartoons,
types of food, the future, the past—anything you’d like that will create a unique atmosphere and
make the restaurant stand out. Remember: décor changes, your menu—everything should reflect
the theme you choose.
-Using the budget sheet provided, decide on a BUDGET for your restaurant. Choose wisely
because Joe will appreciate someone who has considered the best way to spend his money! Be able
to defend your decisions.

Day 2: Design a one page MENU for the new Joe’s that reflects the new theme.

Day 3: Design a one page BLUEPRINT/floor plan that shows the layout of the restaurant. This can
be done on a computer or drawn. The view should be like you are looking down on the restaurant
from above, and it should include all parts of the restaurant (bathrooms, kitchen, tables, chairs, etc)

Day 4: Finish up tasks from Days 1-3; Menu/Budget/Blueprint should be final copies that are ready
to put on your poster board; If you finish all of these completely, start thinking about what you will
do for your commercial.

Day 5: Divide up the proposal and who will write each of the sections (1-2 paragraphs each)
required:
Intro/Explain Theme: __________________ Budget:
______________________
Menu: _____________________________ Layout: _______________________
Commercial: ________________________ Print Ad:______________________
 Conclusion: _________________________
-Write the rough draft of your section of the proposal. This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment (aka
Quiet!)
-This proposal is a persuasive piece of writing that you will use to describe your plan to Joe
while convincing him that your plan is clearly better than all of the other groups. Do not forget to
include your elements of an argument (claim, evidence, warrant, counterclaim, rebuttal) in your
writing.
-Within each paragraph, you should identify two adjectives and two adverbs. Please
underline all adjectives and circle all adverbs.

Day 6: Revise and Edit paragraphs for proposal with your group. Be sure that each paragraph is
very detailed and there are no grammatical errors. Each paragraph should be 5-8 sentences.

Day 7: Complete the final copy of your proposal. Use your best handwriting. By the end of the
period, you should be able to put each section together on your poster to present to Joe.

Day 8: Design a one page PRINT ADVERTISEMENT that reflects the theme AND gets people
excited about the grand reopening! This should look like ad that you would see in a magazine.
-Plan 45 second TV COMMERCIAL showing customers at the new Joe’s—use at least one
persuasive advertising technique. You must use props and a set to make this new Joe’s shine! Have
fun!! We will record this in class, but you can film it at home and save it to youtube or cd/
flashdrive for us to see in class.
-Begin your POSTER to display your restaurant redesign proposal. This is where you display
the proposal, menu, layout/floorplan and print advertisement. It should be neat and visually
appealing

Day 9: Finish poster; Practice commercial; Film commercial

Day 10: Finish commercial and poster board

Day 11: PRESENT your proposal to Joe. Remember – You are competing with the other
groups! Don’t be afraid to use your presentation to point out weaknesses in their restaurant
designs. Bonus points for your group if you incorporate Elements of an Argument: Claim,
Evidence, Warrant, Counterclaim, Rebuttal.