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Franchising has always been about more than profit. For me, it’s about people — and more specifically, my family. My father was one of the original Subway franchisees in our region over 20 years ago. We built the business side by side, and that experience has shaped how I think about entrepreneurship, relationships and leadership to this day.
Have you ever wondered how a restaurant chain can truly integrate sustainability into its daily operations? At Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, across all 70 locations, every employee undergoes Sustainability 101 training, and a designated "Change Maker" ensures that environmental and community initiatives, from volunteering to fundraising, are actively pursued, creating a more personalized and impactful approach to corporate responsibility that resonates with staff and the community.
For many restaurant owners, delivery has become critical for profitability, especially as customer demand increases. Unfortunately, due to strain on resources, most restaurant owners no longer believe they can offer their customers a positive direct-delivery experience. Third-party apps have become so entrenched in consumer habits that many operators worry it’s no longer even worth trying to offer delivery on their own.
The way people find and connect with food has changed over the years; Gen Z, especially, is driving that shift. They discover new spots online, make decisions fast, and care just as much about the story behind what they’re eating as they do about the food itself. That shift has made family-owned businesses think differently about what it means to stay relevant.
Even as many US households feel financially squeezed, eating out remains a top priority. Attest’s 2025 US Spending Trends Report finds that once basic bills are covered, prepared food – whether at restaurants or via takeout – is the most likely place Americans will spend extra cash. Just over 57 percent of consumers report spending on takeout food each month and 51.5 percent say they dine out at restaurants, which is more than the roughly 45 percent who make purchases in the ap
AI has made promises. Big ones. If you’ve ever watched a keynote or demo, you’ve likely heard some version of: “Just give it your data—and watch the magic happen.” As a business operator who works with data daily, I decided to test that idea the hard way: could I use GPT to create consistent, integrated operational reports across multiple store locations…without a formal data layer?
For an industry full of leaders long ago accustomed to handling staffing shortages, the past few years have but restauranteurs to the test. The next few will be no different. Long-running demographic trends colliding with the lingering effects of the pandemic have many feeling we are in the middle of one of the most difficult decades the industry has ever faced.
The restaurant industry is highly competitive. If you don’t stand out from the sea of options for diners, you may not bring enough guests through the door to stay afloat. Video marketing can be your secret weapon. Naturally engaging for the senses, videos attract attention in a sea of content, get diners interested in your menu, and encourage visitors.
Food waste is one of the restaurant industry’s most persistent and costly challenges. According to ReFED , restaurants in the United States alone waste 5.76 million tons of food every year. That food waste equates to billions of dollars literally thrown away. In today’s climate of inflation and economic uncertainty, cutting waste is not just an environmental responsibility, it’s a critical business strategy.
Food is a driver for travel, according to a seasonal report from Chase Travel and insights from Infatuation’s “ The Spots Of The Summer ” Seventy-seven percent of respondents are interested in planning trips centered around a destination’s food and restaurant optionsand 70 percent would travel 30 minutes or more to another city for a meal. “Consumers are increasingly seeking destinations and experiences that take them off the beaten path,” Arden Shore, Editor-
Experience-driven design transforms restaurants, offering up an immersive journey from the moment diners step through the door until their very last bite. David Shove-Brown, partner at Washington, D.C.-based architecture and design firm //3877, shares insights on translating a brand into physical space through meticulous attention to furniture, materials, color, and lighting to create authentic, cohesive, and immersive environments.
Joint employer status and overtime calculations can be notoriously complex areas for restaurant human resources. In this video, Carrie Luxem of Restaurant HR Group tackles these critical compliance topics head-on, breaking down the essential information operators need to understand joint employment, master overtime calculations for employees working across multiple restaurant locations, and develop effective communication strategies.
For restaurant operators striving to cut through the noise and connect with today's diners, understanding the nuances of modern marketing and PR is crucial. It's essential for survival and growth. Are you confident your current strategies are hitting the mark? Jessica Huang, CEO & Founder of Restaurant Marketing, understands what many restaurants are doing wrong in their efforts and how they're missing opportunities to attract and retain customers.
Rising restaurant prices and increased cost-of-living expenses are significantly altering dining out habits in both the US and UK, according to a new survey from Attest. Among the key findings affecting restaurants: Price Sensitivity : 86 percent of consumers in both the US and UK feel restaurant prices are higher than last year. This means diners are more price-conscious than ever.
With nearly every organization today adopting digital transformation strategies, many companies are focusing on providing more digital solutions to customers. This is true for businesses operating in office settings just as much as in restaurants, supermarkets, and other settings where businesses have daily contact with consumers. Nevertheless, while self-service POS systems or AI-enabled customer service chatbots can definitely help in achieving better operational efficiency, these solutions ca
This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features delivery data, tariff troubles, summer dining trends, and Beer Serves America. Delivery Expectations and Consumer Preferences Despite economic uncertainty, delivery sales and transactions increased industry-wide, according to PAR Technology Corporation’s 2025 Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Operational Index Report highlighting key insights in the restaurant industry from third-party delivery to stat
The evolution of the QR code has been something of a full-circle journey since it exploded on the global scene a little more than a decade ago. Funny-looking, pixelated Rorschach blots were suddenly plastered on seemingly every product and piece of signage a consumer might happen upon, and the public was eager to explore new interactions with their still-novel smartphones.
An upgraded AI function can now generate incredibly realistic images, including fake restaurant receipts. This new capability opens the door for unscrupulous individuals to try and scam restaurants out of free meals, gift cards, and more. To help you understand this emerging threat and learn how operators can protect their bottom line, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine consulted Doriel Abrahams, Principal Technologist at Forter, a leader in e-commerce trust and fraud prevention.
Are we at the end of the "Just Google It" era? According to SOCi's 2025 Consumer Behavior Index, a significant shift is underway in how consumers discover restaurants. With search impressions declining and platforms like social media and AI gaining traction, traditional search strategies are breaking down. The report analyzes the data, highlights the key factors driving this change, and outlines the urgent need for restaurants to adapt to this fragmented reality or risk losing vital
In today's digital landscape, restaurants have become prime targets for cybercriminals who take advantage of potential entry points from point-of-sale systems, online ordering platforms, customer databases, loyalty programs and third-party delivery services. Consider the alarming pattern over the past three years. Five Guys experienced a breach in September 2022 that compromised job applicants' personal data.
Cyberattacks aren't limited to corporate offices. Restaurants are increasingly targeted for data breaches, with significant financial and reputational consequences. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a vital step in bolstering your restaurant's cybersecurity posture, ensuring only authorized personnel access sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
Per the National Restaurant Association , 46 percent of restaurateurs reported a net increase in customer traffic from January 2024 to January 2025. Also rising? Cybersecurity threats in the restaurant industry. How Cybercriminals Exploit Third-Party Vendors to Attack Restaurants As online ordering continues to triumph and restaurants become more digital, opportunities for cybercriminals increase.
In the food service industry, branded apparel is a critical extension of your business's identity. The uniforms worn by staff, from kitchen to counter, represent your brand in every customer interaction, making apparel a strategic business decision rather than merely an operational requirement. Thoughtful selection of branded gear, including t-shirts, polos and hats, ensures a professional, cohesive look while also reinforcing your establishment’s unique personality.
Operational efficiency is paramount in restaurants. From the front-of-house ensuring a pleasant dining experience to the kitchen crew keeping up with orders and maintaining sanitized facilities, every process needs to run smoothly. Even minor disruptions can impact the entire team and the diner experience. Investing in a reliable restaurant hot water system is crucial to avoid such disruptions and ensure consistent access to hot water when needed.
Chef Jacob Yoder’s right forearm carries an inside joke that every cook instantly understands – a 22-quart Cambro inked with the word “leaky” in the style of a Sharpie scrawl, top photo. The tattoo is a nod to one of the kitchen’s most infamous yet indispensable tools, a storage container that somehow never quite holds liquid but still earns its place in the lineup. “Even though it can’t do what it’s supposed to, it’s still useful,” sai
The Value Wars continue to shake up the dining industry, increasing competition for the same share of stomachs. For fast casual chains, competition includes usual suspects like casual dining and QSRs as well as c-stores and grocery chains who are ramping up foodservice offerings to capitalize on the trading down trend. FCRs that have beefed up their “Marketing Value Meal” are emerging victorious.
Twenty years ago, hospitality looked very different. Kitchens ran on handwritten tickets and verbal handoffs. POS terminals were clunky, fixed to the counter, and limited to basic transactions. Front-of-house teams juggled high guest expectations with paper logs, manual reports, and legacy systems that weren’t built to keep up with the pace of service.
In today’s fast-paced dining world, guest satisfaction goes beyond just great food—it’s about delivering a seamless experience. When guest expectations are sky-high and every table turn counts, how quickly a team responds – both to guests and to each other – can significantly shape the dining experience. Internal communication, especially between front- and back-of-house staff, is one of the most overlooked drivers of operational efficiency and l asting loyalty.
The loss of a loved one can be a turning point, a moment that either breaks or builds a person. For Cody Pepper, CEO of Fast Fresh Brands, iit led him on a mission to make healthy eating accessible to everyone. Pepper's personal journey began with the loss of his father to cancer, a diagnosis linked to years of poor dietary habits. This experience ignited a fire in him, leading him to leave a successful career in nonprofit and consulting to helm Fast Fresh, parent company of Bee Healthy Cafe
Restaurants, hotels,and otherhospitalityindustry businesses continue to battle a tight labor market. Toattractnot only enough employees butalsoengaged and productive ones, itsimportantto offer benefits thatmeet them where they are. While itmayoften be overwhelming to figure out where to start, there are severaltenets of an impactful benefits program thatcanshow employees thatyou, their employer,supportthemas individualsboth at work and at home.
Dining out should be a relaxing experience for customers. However, the restaurant industry can present significant safety hazards for employees. An unsafe work environment is a leading cause of injury and illness in restaurants. Prioritizing safety is crucial, and often, seemingly small, overlooked aspects can significantly impact your business's well-being and reputation.
A new coalition of organizations such as the James Beard Foundation, Women in Hospitality United, and Regarding Her aims to address systemic issues in the restauant industry and advocate for change. MORE , or Movement to Organize for Restaurant Equity,, is led by industry veterans and seeks to address challenges from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) under attack to economic instability, striving for a more equitable and sustainable future for the 12 million people employed in the nationR
Someone sent me a sticker the other day over text, and I somehow saved it to my phone. I didn’t want this sticker popping up in my emoji menu every time I scrolled through, but no matter what I tried, I couldn’t get rid of it. So, I texted a friend who’s about 20 years younger than me: "Please help your Gen X friend get rid of this sticker." She immediately sent me a screen recording of her phone and replied: "Zero offense to you at all, but I do this for my mom som
Gen Z isn’t just eating out; they’re building relationships with brands that reflect who they are. Trend-driven yet deeply value-conscious, they want personalized nutrition, ethical sourcing, and innovative packaging. Gen Z is redefining dining, seeing your restaurant as an extension of their identity. Michael Parlapiano, Managing Director of The Culinary Edge, shares with Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine how restaurants and food brands can adapt to these generations’
The restaurant industry's competitive landscape for mealtime dollars is changing fast, and it's no longer brand against brand. Increasingly, grocery and convenience stores are stealing share by offering quick, affordable, and increasingly high-quality meal options. In Revenue Management Solutions' (RMS) recent consumer report, Check, Please or Check Out , 24 percent of surveyed diners say they buy meals from grocery stores more frequently than a year ago.
Imagine turning your restaurant's patio into a profit powerhouse this summer, even amidst rising costs and inflationary concerns. Discover how handheld POS devices and QR code ordering are transforming outdoor spaces into efficient revenue engines. To learn more about how restaurant operators can best set themselves up for the upcoming summer season, Modern Restaurant Management IMRM) magazine reached out Kevin Bryla, Chief Marketing Officer, SpotOn.
Throughout my career in the restaurant industry, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about finding the right solutions – it’s about how you lead, adapt, and support the people around you. The restaurant industry has always been a passion of mine, especially the incredible people who bring it to life. It’s been a constant part of my journey for as long as I can remember.
French bistros are more than just places to eat. They’re cultural icons that embody the art of living well. These small, unassuming eateries—often with fewer than 20 tables—have long been celebrated for their cozy charm, unpretentious cuisine, and a welcoming spirit that turns every meal into a moment of connection. As of 2024, Paris alone boasts approximately 18,000 bistros, making up 10 percent of France’s restaurant scene.
What's the next food trend that needs to be on a restaurant operator's radar? Food industry experts predict we will see more creamy and indulgent foods as part of the anti-texture trend. Modern Restaurant Managment (MRM) magazine reached out to Shannon O’Shields, VP of Marketing at Rubix, to learn more on how anti-texture is redefining mouthfeel, why it's so important , and what restaurants can do to capitalize on this growing trend.
Your website is often the first impression potential customers see when looking for a restaurant. Before even deciding on a spot to visit, customers get on their phones or computer to find a place for dinner or grab lunch. If your website is not efficient and easy to navigate, you may lose potential guests. Here are a few common mistakes many restaurant owners make when it comes to designing websites.
It’s no secret that running a restaurant franchise is a complex task with an abundance of moving parts. That’s why having a trusted partner to take the stressful and tedious bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities off your plate can save you time and effort that can be better allocated to strategic business initiatives. While there are a number of accounting firms that offer financial services to franchise owners, it’s critical to find the right one that will not only help
How operators can reduce risk with better documentation, consistent policies, and stronger training. I’ll never forget this moment with one of my clients. One of their general managers had just let go of a team member for repeated tardiness. On paper, it seemed like a slam dunk—the employee had been late 18 times in two months. But when I asked about the documentation, I got a sheepish shrug. “Well, we didn’t write her up every time,” the manager said. “But we
When restaurant operators think about reducing operating costs, they often think they have to make large, sweeping cuts. While the fastest, easiest option might seem to be letting a number of employees go or drastically changing service hours, such extreme measures can actually backfire. According to the latest 7shifts 2025 Restaurant Labor and Cost Profitability Report , labor costs reaching up to 30 percent of revenue and food inflation ranked as the top concern by 52 percent of restaurant ope
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry has faced a severe staffing crisis that remains unresolved to this day. With 70 percent of operators struggling to fill job openings and 45 percent reporting they don’t have enough staff to meet customer demand, according to the National Restaurant Association. This ongoing labor shortage not only disrupts daily operations but also places immense pressure on existing employees, leading to burnout and high turnover.
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