The Rail

APRIL 14, 2025

By Tracie Johnson, Contributor Running a restaurant requires more than just a good idea, a great menu, and determination. Whether for operations expansion, equipment upgrades, staff recruiting, or more marketing activity, growth calls for resources. Even the most exciting companies find it difficult to realize their full potential without the appropriate financial support.

Small Business 130

Small Business Cash Management Social Media Consumer Goods 130

The Rail

APRIL 10, 2025

By Indiana Lee, Contributor Guests want to know where their food comes from, how it was raised, and whether it aligns with their values. This shift is driven by growing environmental awareness, social media scrutiny, and increased access to digital information. Consumers, particularly younger generations , are more eco-conscious than ever. According to a study from Delierect , 43% of restaurant diners say they are willing to pay more for sustainable dishes, and 68% believe restaurants should tak

Food Supply 130

Food Supply Social Media Sustainability Sourcing 130

The Rail

APRIL 6, 2025

By Destiny Clarkson, Contributor As much as meal quality, guest retention determines the success of a restaurant. Long-term profitability depends on good retention policies, particularly considering that recruiting new clients usually costs five times more than maintaining current ones. Understanding consumer loyalty psychology can enable restaurants to create systems supporting recurring business and assist in overcoming financial difficulties.

Guest Recovery 130

Guest Recovery Loyalty Program Consumer Goods Customer Service 130

The Rail

APRIL 2, 2025

By Tracie Johnson, Contributor Changing the flooring of a restaurant can give its ambiance fresh vitality and transform everyday areas into cozy comfort canvases of design. A modern flooring design improves general dcor, creates a unique eating experience, and shows a dedication to quality. Thoughtful layouts, creative textures, and vivid materials combine to enthrall guests and revitalize the restaurant's character for long-lasting good influence.

Customer Experience 130

Customer Experience Sustainability Recycling Design 130

The Rail

MARCH 31, 2025

By Jose Chavez, Contributor Managing multiple locations is tough in the restaurant business. Communication is hard when multiple locations can get teams and office spaces out of sync. This uncertainty makes it hard to hit organizational goals, communicate consistently, and build a company culture across multiple locations. Restaurant businesses need to adopt technology that enables collaboration among remote teams and simplifies management if they want to succeed.

Technology 130

Technology Management Management Operations 130

The Rail

MARCH 25, 2025

By Jordan Hayes, Contributor Relocating a restaurant is a major event that offers an opportunity to rebrand, refresh, and create excitement among your customers. Whether youre moving to a bigger space, a more strategic location, or a trendier neighborhood, the way you announce your restaurant's move can shape how customers respond to the change. A well-planned announcement not only reassures loyal patrons but also attracts new customers eager to explore your new location.

Social Media 130

Social Media Email Marketing Customer Experience Events 130

The Rail

MARCH 20, 2025

By Ellie Gabel, Contributor In the restaurant industry, food packaging waste is prevalent. Regardless of what you serve, you probably have stacks of single-use containers in the kitchen to pack carry-out orders and box up customers leftovers. What if there was a better way? The only way to find one is through rigorous product testing. The Restaurant Industrys Food Packaging Waste Problem Youve been in the restaurant sector long enough to know it has a food packaging waste problem.

Waste 130

Waste Food Recycling Sustainability 130

The Rail

MARCH 14, 2025

By Toby Patrick, Contributor Opening a restaurant goes beyond a nice aesthetic, good location, and great food. In today's competitive market, you also need to be authentic with your atmosphere and giving a culturally enriching experience. Hiring international staff can help you achieve that authentic atmosphere and experience youre looking to give guests.

Restaurant Law 130

Restaurant Law Hiring Customer Experience Recruiting 130

The Rail

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

By Paola Sanchez, Contributor A restaurants ambiance plays a vital role in shaping the customer experience. Guests dont just visit for the food; they come for the atmosphere, the mood, and the overall dining experience. One of the best ways to keep your restaurant fresh and inviting is by embracing seasonal decor trends. By incorporating thoughtful design changes throughout the year, you can create an environment that feels welcoming, relevant, and aligned with the seasons aesthetics.

Seasonal Menu 130

Seasonal Menu Outdoor Customer Experience Seating 130

The Rail

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

By Sierra Powell, Contributor Running a profitable restaurant calls for much more than just presenting good cuisine. A great restaurant stays with its patrons' hearts and brains, inspiring them to come back and suggest it to others. From the atmosphere to the cuisine quality and customer service, every element shapes the whole experience greatly. This article will look at strategies to make a restaurant unforgettable for patrons, so they leave with a pleasant experience that lasts.

Customer Service 130

Customer Service Customer Experience Back of House Consumer Goods 130

The Rail

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

By Torrey Tayenaka, Contributor In a highly competitive restaurant industry, its crucial to stand out from the crowd and bring an influx of new guests through the door. Video marketing is an essential tool to captivate audiences, drive foot traffic, and win the fierce battle for online attention. Leveraging engaging and authentic video content allows restaurants to showcase their menu offerings, build a recognizable brand identity, and create a loyal base of regulars and word-of-mouth referrals.

Marketing 130

Marketing Serving Loyalty Program Social Media 130

The Rail

JANUARY 31, 2025

By Sierra Powell, Contributor In the busy world of restaurants, a chef's influence is fundamental in everything, from designing great cuisine to making sure the kitchen functions without problems during the busiest times. Managing a chef is not always as easy as it first sounds, though. Your relationship with your kitchen staff is absolutely vital as a restaurant owner.

Management 130

Management Management Communication Leadership 130

The Rail

JANUARY 28, 2025

By Indiana Lee, Contributor In an industry where 90% of new businesses close in their first five years, running a restaurant means making tough financial choices daily. Food prices continue rising at grocery stores and through suppliers, while staffing gaps and shifting guest preferences add extra pressure to already thin margins. Many restaurant operators find themselves stuck between urgent cost-cutting needs and essential growth investments a position that often leads to reactive decisions r

Cash Management 130

Cash Management Loyalty Program Waste Inventory 130

The Rail

JANUARY 24, 2025

By Heather Langley, Contributor A restaurant point of sale (POS) system is home to a vast amount of personal information, including customer data and payment information. This makes it vulnerable to hackers who may try to tap into the system to steal the data. Restaurant owners need to take measures to keep their POS systems safe and secure to protect both business and customer data.

POS 130

POS Point of Sale Information Email Marketing 130

The Rail

JANUARY 21, 2025

By Bailey Ramsey, Contributor Food waste is a critical issue in the restaurant industry. To put this in perspective, restaurants waste anywhere between 4% to 10% of the food they purchase. This leads to huge financial losses, operational inefficiencies, and environmental harm. However, traditional waste management methods often fail to address the root causes, depriving businesses of all the benefits of reducing food waste.

Waste 182

Waste Compost Recycling Food 182

The Rail

JANUARY 15, 2025

By Jordan Matthews, Contributor Urban restaurants often have limited space, making it critical to maximize every inch for efficiency and comfort. Space optimization techniques can improve operations and enhance the dining experience. These methods offer practical ways to manage space constraints without major renovations. Assess Your Space for Hidden Potential Conducting a strategic and thorough layout assessment is the first step to optimizing your restaurants space.

Outdoor 130

Outdoor Seating Customer Service Customer Experience 130

The Rail

JANUARY 8, 2025

By Ellie Gabel, Contributor Safety is crucial in any workplace, but restaurants face a unique mix of concerns. Like others, bars and restaurants have to take care of their employees. However, they must also ensure the safety of their guests, as foodborne hazards can be dangerous and stem from many areas. Experienced restaurant owners likely already recognize the need for both sides of restaurant safety.

Kitchen Safety 130

Kitchen Safety Food Safety Employee Relations Recruiting 130

The Rail

JANUARY 3, 2025

By Indiana Lee, Contributor The restaurant industry is one of the most fast paced in America, with new trends, dishes, and technologies emerging year-round. This ever-changing nature makes training your staff that much more important, as your success hinges on the performance of your team. Regular staff training ensures your employees are equipped to handle a fast-paced restaurant environment and the challenges that come with it, deliver exceptional service, and adapt to evolving industry trends

Training 130

Training Operations Kitchen Safety Seasonal Menu 130

The Rail

DECEMBER 18, 2024

NEXT YEARS HOTTEST POTENTIAL INDUSTRY DIRECTIONS Every year we project what you can expect from the renewal of a new year. This year promises to deliver several important trend lines that will fundamentally change how the restaurant industry progresses for the foreseeable future. From the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) to the explosive growth of the sports-themed segment, the near future will reveal changes in the way operators function and direct their business model.

2025 130

2025 Sports 2030 Restaurant Law 130

The Rail

DECEMBER 17, 2024

By Julia Nikolaus, Contributor For any restaurant, designing a unique seafood experience is a worthwhile endeavor. This strategy typically invites repeat customers and attracts seafood lovers from all over. It is possible to produce a distinctive seafood experience when using techniques such as ocean-to-table dining and interactive menus. Listed below are more details about these methods, along with other strategies for creating a customized seafood experience.

Customer Experience 130

Customer Experience Seasonal Menu Dine-in Uniforms 130

The Rail

DECEMBER 13, 2024

Its December. Congrats for surviving another year. As always, 2024 was far from a boring year for operators who are still trying to play catch up from the COVID pandemic four years ago. Lets quickly walk through the top restaurant stories of 2024. Big Restaurants Go Bankrupt The restaurant industry is always tough but 2024 was not kind for some big and local restaurant chains.

2024 130

2024 2025 Guest Recovery Agriculture 130

The Rail

DECEMBER 12, 2024

By John Sanders, Contributor Relocating a restaurant and expanding to new areas can feel overwhelming, but it also promises new beginnings. This isnt just about packing boxes and updating your address; it's a chance to refresh and redefine how people see your brand. In fact, moving can be the perfect excuse to rebrand your business, opening doors to new customers and opportunities.

SEO 130

SEO Customer Service Social Media Email Marketing 130

The Rail

DECEMBER 2, 2024

By Kateryna Reshetilo, Contributor Are you a restaurant owner looking for ways to keep up with the fast-changing demands of your customers? Have you noticed how food delivery apps are becoming essential in attracting and retaining diners? If so, you’re not alone. Today, more than ever, restaurants are turning to custom-built apps to improve convenience, streamline operations, and foster customer loyalty.

Delivery 147

Delivery Food Loyalty Program Food Order 147

The Rail

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

By Leo Clarke, Contributor More so now than ever before, restaurant guests are looking for an experience when eating out, rather than just a satisfying meal. A huge part of this experience is the customer service they receive at every contact point within the restaurant – and even after they’ve left. Here, we share practical and actionable ways to enhance your establishment’s customer service.

Customer Service 130

Customer Service Loyalty Program Customer Experience Point of Sale 130

The Rail

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

By Heather Langley, Contributor The hospitality environment evolves at a rapid rate, and bars and restaurants must continue adapting to the ever-changing needs of the consumer. A modern point of sale (POS) system utilizes modern technology that can help streamline your business operations and improve the guest experience. By integrating it with your other systems, you are able to grow your restaurant and manage your inventory, employees, and sales data with ease.

POS 130

POS Cash Management Point of Sale Customer Experience 130

The Rail

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

By Julia Nikolaus, Contributor Sustainability has become crucial to the success of restaurants. Consumers prefer to dine in establishments that prioritize eco-friendly practices. One of the pivotal factors they consider is whether a restaurant uses organic ingredients. Today, we will explore the advantages of organic products and Paleo pantry essentials to show you how to source these ingredients to foster a greener dining experience.

Sustainability 130

Sustainability Compost Recycling Agriculture 130

The Rail

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

By Julia Nikolaus, Contributor As the weather turns cooler , you and your restaurant’s guests might find yourself craving comforting flavors and familiar winter recipes passed down through the generations. But what if your guests are looking for something both new and exciting? If your restaurant wants to blend the classic seasonings of grandma’s chicken soup with vibrant global cuisines or create a healthier version of auntie’s apple pie, this blog can help!

Seasonal Menu 130

Seasonal Menu Customer Experience Take-out Travel 130

The Rail

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

By Lindsay Lawrence, Contributor Relocating a restaurant is no small feat, as it involves managing the transportation of kitchen equipment, reestablishing the space’s atmosphere, and ensuring minimal disruption to your business. Luckily, modern technology has introduced several innovations that streamline the restaurant relocation process, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and manageable.

Innovation 130

Innovation Transportation Loyalty Program Social Media 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 30, 2024

By Indiana Lee, Contributor The rise of food delivery services has driven the restaurant industry into a new frontier. While many restaurant owners eagerly embrace this trend, it’s crucial not to overlook the additional expenses of implementing a delivery service. If you’re planning on going the delivery route, make sure to calculate all these expenses beforehand. 1.

Delivery 130

Delivery Food Customer Service License 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 25, 2024

By Toby Patrick, Contributor Otley, a market town in West Yorkshire, is home to 24 pubs despite a population of around 15,000 people. That’s a pub for every 625 people. While competition in your local area might not be quite as fierce, prying people away from their favorite local pub or bar is a difficult ask for a new venue. If you’re looking to open a new venue, you’ll need to get people talking.

Social Media 130

Social Media Customer Experience Bar Customer Service 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 18, 2024

By Leo Clarke, Contributor As a restaurant owner, understanding various dietary preferences is crucial for catering to a diverse customer base and enhancing your restaurant’s culinary appeal. The term " flexitarian " is a blend of "flexible" and "vegetarian," and as such, it describes individuals who primarily consume plant-based foods but occasionally include animal products in their diet.

Dietary Restrictions 130

Dietary Restrictions Catering Travel Take-out 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 17, 2024

By Ellie Gabel, Contributor Since the profit margins in the restaurant sector are so slim, you should seek to save wherever possible. While the cost of food waste isn’t a secret , you probably overlook it, considering it a part of doing business in this industry. In reality, it’s easily solvable with the right tools. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enhanced predictive analytics, enabling you to anticipate changes and predict which strategies will work best.

Food Supply 130

Food Supply Waste Supplies Food 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 10, 2024

By Julia Nikolaus, Contributor A once-catchy jingle in the United States constituted that coffee is the "best part of waking up." That may or may not be up for debate, but one thing is for sure: the world is decidedly waking up to the taste of sustainability. As more consumers become conscious of the environmental impacts of their choices, sustainable products are increasingly popular, particularly in the food and beverage sector.

Sustainability 130

Sustainability Dine-in Consumer Goods Compost 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 8, 2024

By Briana Hilton, Contributor Uncle Gussy’s is known as one of NYC’s most famous food trucks. Serving Greek food since 1971, Uncle Gussy’s has a big following and (usually) a queue for its famous gyros, Greek salad, and fries. However, as Fox News reported in 2022, it’s getting harder and harder to stay in business , owing in no small part to rising fuel costs.

Food Truck 130

Food Truck Food Sustainability Small Business 130

The Rail

OCTOBER 3, 2024

By Indiana Lee, Contributor The old idiom “a team is only as strong as its weakest link” is shown to its fullest extent in the food service industry. If every member of the team isn’t firing on all cylinders and seamlessly working together, orders are delayed, customer satisfaction drops, and the restaurant’s reputation can take a hit. While the adage applies to a wide range of restaurant operations, one of the most vital is food safety.

Food Safety 130

Food Safety Front of House Kitchen Safety Food 130

The Rail

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

By Toby Patrick, Contributor It could be argued that times have never been tougher for the hospitality industry. Younger generations drink far less alcohol compared to the groups who came before them and dine-out restaurants have to compete with an abundance of takeaways and fast-food joints that can now operate solely through third-party delivery apps.

Bar 130

Bar Workshop Reference Hospitality 130

The Rail

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

By Maisie Burton, Contributor Expanding your business to new areas offers exciting opportunities but also comes with the challenge of catering to diverse cultural tastes. Incorporating cultural diversity into your menu is key to ensuring success in new markets. By embracing local flavors and traditions, you can create a menu that resonates with the community and attracts a wider customer base.

Menu 130

Menu Seasonal Menu Dietary Restrictions Customer Experience 130