This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
In 2025, I expect automation to keep expanding beyond back-of-house applications into more guest-facing roles. Advances in AI and customer relationship management (CRM) tools allow businesses to analyze customer behavior, predict preferences, and craft hyper-personalized dining and drinking experiences.
Growing Momentum for Plant-Based and Local Sourcing The movement towards plant-based foods and locally sourced ingredients will continue to gain momentum in 2025, reducing overall food waste through better inventory management and demand forecasting.
From salted egg yolks and chili crunch fusions to mushroom-infused teas and freeze-dried fruit powder garnishes, Kimpton’s in-house experts share the standout ingredients, menu items and techniques that will come to the table in 2025. What can you expect to see on menus in 2025?
Tableside caviar service A prosciutto cart An authentic kaiseki tasting experience and members-only Japanese whiskey lounge Tableside s’mores These are just a few examples of ways restaurants across the country are hoping to attract guest by elevating the dining experience and creating a vibe highlighted by superior food and presentation.
So, even though we’re back to dining in, the damage has been done, and it manifests in all kinds of ways." Not a huge rise (it was tense back in the day), but a meaningful one." Financial dynamics changed. "Restaurant work was a pressure cooker then, and that was a long time ago. That’s increasingly rare.
Restaurants hoping to make a positive impact on the climate face an enduring challenge: selling their ambitious goals to diners simply looking to have a good time This story was produced in partnership with Civil Eats. The “ PLNT Impact Tracker ” on PLNT Burger’s website wants you to think about what you’re eating. Congratulations.
Operational efficiency: Fresh-baked waffle mix is shelf stable, creates minimal waste and has a 3-day shelf life once prepared, supporting back-of-house operational efficiency. . That’s where waffles come in: they’re high margin for the operator, crave-able and on-trend for the consumer and efficient for back-of-house.
Each one has built a solid reputation for serving food people keep coming back for. 30 – Hog Heaven BBQ Source: Hog Heaven BBQ Hog Heaven BBQ in Laurel is a local go-to for classic Southern-style barbecue, served from a small spot on Ellisville Boulevard. Many are family-run, and their methods have been passed down over time.
There will *always *be something your staff can do to enhance a patron’s dining experience. As a restaurant manager or operator, you are the driving force in productivity – leading your staff and keeping customers happy. However, productivity is more easily trained than managed.
What they all have in common is a real passion for barbecue and a steady following from people who keep coming back. What they all have in common is a real passion for barbecue and a steady following from people who keep coming back. They also make their sauces and desserts in-house.
These are the places people keep coming back to, not just for the food but also for the experience and the way they treat their customers. These are the places people keep coming back to, not just for the food but also for the experience and the way they treat their customers. Keep reading to see which BBQ places made the cut. #30
Whether its a loyalty program, strategic promotions, or email marketing campaigns, great marketing isnt just about attracting new customersits about keeping the ones you already have coming back. 4 Reasons Why You Cant Ignore Restaurant Marketing in 2025 Restaurant marketing in 2025 isnt just a nice-to-haveits a necessity.
With households increasingly treating dining out as a luxury, every menu item and service interaction becomes a potential make-or-break moment. With households increasingly treating dining out as a luxury, every menu item and service interaction becomes a potential make-or-break moment. At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1
Another couple traveling from San Diego back home to Warren County, Ohio, brought their own food but also sometimes hit the dining car. The people who have made homemade food part of train culture tend to have ideas about self-sufficiency, food sovereignty, and going back to the land. Of course they eat the same way.
On the other hand, when you know exactly who your ideal customers are, you can craft an experience that resonates with customers on a deeper, emotional level, creating a connection that will keep them coming back for years. Key customer factors that influence dining preferences, from demographics to behavior.
30 – Cotton BBQ Source: Cotton BBQ Cotton BBQ in Bowling Green is known for its Texas-style barbecue cooked fresh daily over a wood-fired pit. 29 – LX BBQ Source: LX BBQ LX BBQ in Lexington is one of Kentucky’s newer barbecue spots, but it’s already building a strong local following.
According to Mastercard Contactless Consumer Polling, more than half of Americans are now using some form of contactless payment, and several sources state that adoption rate is accelerating amongst younger consumers. The past five years have reinforced the critical intersection of digital and hospitality in the restaurant industry.
B Corp Restaurants As of early 2024, almost 150 restaurants around the world have achieved the certification, from fine-dining independents to fast-casual chains, with hotels, breweries and food delivery companies also dotting the list. I have been fortunate to work with Sleepy Bee Cafe since its founding in 2013.
30 – Cowlicks Source: Cowlicks Cowlicks is a Texas-style barbecue pop-up based in New Orleans, usually set up at The Crown and Anchor English Pub. 29 – JAC’s Craft Smokehouse Source: JAC’s Craft Smokehouse JAC’s Craft Smokehouse in West Monroe is known for smoked meats that are full of flavor and cooked until tender.
. | Courtesy of Sabine Caf Rich Fox of Sabine in Seattle says leaning more casual has helped his bottom line A version of this post originally appeared on May 28, 2025, in Eater and Punchs newsletter Pre Shift , a biweekly newsletter for the industry pro that sources first-person accounts from the bar and restaurant world.
You need ideas that will wow new customers and get the regulars excited to come back in. In-house promotions Leverage customers presence in-store by using flyers, table tents, A-frames, and mentions at the bottom of receipts. Are your regulars ordering the same drink and entree every time they come in?
Every day, youre juggling staff, food quality, inventory, customer service, purchasing, and moreall while trying to cultivate a dining experience that wows your customers enough to keep them coming back. Its tough, and cant be done passively. Great restaurant operations dont happen by accident.
30 – Arizona BBQ Shack Source: Arizona BBQ Shack Arizona BBQ Shack in Scottsdale has been serving Southwest-style barbecue since 2016 under new ownership. The meats are seasoned with house dry rubs and slow-smoked over wood for up to 14 hours. Many guests come back for the homemade sauces and fresh-baked cookies.
Proper staff training keeps your team knowledgeable, confident, and able to provide the kind of customer service that keeps guests coming back. Front-of-house (FOH) staff, like servers and hosts, will need customer service training, upselling techniques, and communication skills. Focused training also speeds up the onboarding process.
Instead of just listing Cheeseburger, try something more enticing: Juicy half-pound Angus beef burger with melted cheddar, crisp lettuce, and house-made garlic aioli. Thats why the smartest approach is to use these apps as a tool , not your main source of online orders. Thats where local SEO and direct online ordering come in.
30 – Kendall’s BBQ Source: Kendall’s BBQ Kendall’s BBQ in Georgiana, Alabama is a roadside stop known for its wood-smoked meats and laid-back setup. 30 – Kendall’s BBQ Source: Kendall’s BBQ Kendall’s BBQ in Georgiana, Alabama is a roadside stop known for its wood-smoked meats and laid-back setup.
These places have earned a following not just for their food but for the people behind the grill and the warm welcome that keeps folks coming back. Fried pies and other rotating desserts are also available, adding a sweet option for those dining in or taking out. Arkansas is known for its deep roots in barbecue culture.
It’s not just about who has the biggest name, but who consistently serves quality food and keeps people coming back. 30 – Big Ant’s BBQ Source: Big Ant’s BBQ Big Ant’s BBQ in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, has built a strong following since opening in 2019. Keep reading to find out who made the cut. #30
Whether its the inspirational story behind why you started your restaurant, the effort that goes into each and every one of your dishes, or your commitment to standards like only using locally sourced ingredients, your website ensures your unique voice is heard. A well-designed website does more than just make a good first impression.
30 – Robb’s Smokehouse Source: Robb’s Smokehouse Robb’s Smokehouse in Shawnee serves up traditional Oklahoma barbecue with a focus on wood-fired meats and homestyle sides. The place has a laid-back feel with indoor seating and a drive-through that makes it easy for busy days.
This allows you to avoid paying the 25-30% third-party commission fees and keep more revenue in-house. A $16 sandwich might feel like a splurge at a deli, but totally reasonable at a trendy caf that sources local, organic ingredients and has a curated vibe. Set prices too low, and youre leaving money on the table.
These are the places people keep coming back to, and for good reason. #30 30 – Jomax BBQ Source: Jomax BBQ Jomax BBQ in Metter is known for its no-frills, wood-smoked barbecue served in a rustic, cabin-style setting. 29 – Dixie Q Source: Dixie Q Dixie Q in Brookhaven is known for its wood-smoked barbecue and steady quality.
So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. The question now becomes – how to make sense of that data and use it to elevate the dining experience. For the first part, click here and for the second part, click here. Data, Data, Data.
By Rebecca Smith, Contributor In today’s restaurant industry, sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s expected. Diners are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their meals, not just in terms of ingredients, but also how their food is packaged. And those things, in turn, can impact your bottom line more than you'd expect.
My husband and I have traveled over 1,000 miles from our home in Mumbai for a single meal: a 14-course tasting menu at Indias hottest dining destination, Naar. Naar Dining at Naar. Helmed by chef Prateek Sadhu, the restaurant team periodically scours the nearby pine forests and river beds for wild fruits, berries, and herbs.
This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features delivery data, tariff troubles, summer dining trends, and Beer Serves America. The report analyzed data from more than 30,000 QSR restaurants that generated a total of 4.5 billion transactions and $67 billion in sales in 2024. labor costs at 3 percent.
Whether theyre grabbing takeout, dining in, or ordering delivery, diners dont have patience for long waits or clunky systems. Without reliable data, these decisions are just educated guesses, and operators are left piecing together reports from multiple sources. But it doesnt have to be this way. The result?
From the rise of AI to the increasing popularity of experiential dining, businesses are adapting creatively to meet new consumer demands. Source mccrindle.com.au Perhaps oddly and yet understandably, premium dining spending has increased… but only through average spend. Tough times call for more comfort food.
However, getting more guests in seats through outdoor dining can also come at a cost, both in time and money. No more back and forth from tables to the POS. Joe Nicholson was a manager and tech consultant at one of the busiest restaurants in Sacramento, CA—Tower Cafe. Patios can be quite lucrative. Live music.
Enhancing Customer Loyalty with Data-Driven Personalization In todays competitive dining landscape, personalized service is key to building customer loyalty. In 2025, your POS system will be more powerful than ever in helping you deliver tailored dining experiences that keep customers coming back.
30 Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Source: Instagram Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint has earned a solid following in South Carolina for its focus on traditional, low-and-slow cooking. 30 Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Source: Instagram Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint has earned a solid following in South Carolina for its focus on traditional, low-and-slow cooking.
From hand-tossed dough to house-made sauces, thoughtfully sourced toppings, to the perfect bake, your product is the fastest way to inform customers that you know what you’re doing. When your pizza stands out, it enhances your entire operation and keeps customers coming back for more. That’s the power of exceptional pizza.
30 Scott’s Kitchen and Catering Source: Instagram Scott’s Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29 is a standout barbecue destination in Kansas City, Missouri, renowned for its expertly smoked meats and welcoming atmosphere. . #30 29 Smoke N Bones BBQ Source: Instagram Smoke N Bones BBQ, located at 6417 Hampton Ave in St.
A great dining experience starts long before someone walks through your door. 77% of diners visit a restaurants website before they dine in or order takeout or delivery. Nearly every customer journey begins with a search on Google, then a scroll through several restaurant websites before something catches their eye.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 49,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content