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As digital transactions become ubiquitous, businesses across all sectors are embracing innovations that reshape the way they interact with customers. The simplicity and convenience of these payment methods will boost customer satisfaction and increase revenue by reducing checkout hesitation and encouraging higher spending.
Now that consumers have become more particular with dining, service standards have skyrocketed, and expectations are higher than ever before. Statistics show that 96 percent of consumers from across the globe say that customerservice plays a critical factor in choosing a brand they’ll be loyal to. Self-Service Tech.
Just as a chef elevates a signature dish with bold, unique flavors that please the senses, the right glassware can enhance the presentation of drinks and food, creating a visually engaging experience for customers. Cut and hand-blown glass for old-school charm, a trend that continues to be popular among fine and casual establishments alike.
Fast food and casual dining are currently seeing higher traffic. Following up with Attest, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine secured further insights from Sam Killip, VP of Customer Success. Winning new customers is harder in this market so operators should lean into customer databases to leverage loyalty.
Quick-service restaurants maintain a steady customer satisfaction score of 79 (on a 100 point scale), while full-service restaurants — despite slipping 2 percent to 82 — remain one of the highest-rated industries in the Index, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2025.
Smart QSR and fast casual chains like Chipotle and Shake Shack reconfigured their strategies to lean heavily into delivery apps, digital ordering, and loyalty programs. So, what can marketers of fast casuals do to bring people back to their brick-and-mortar locations? But most importantly, respond to all customer reviews.
The hospitality industry has always been about delivering great service—but today, that means more than just good food and friendly staff. But now, AI is shifting from the back office to the front lines of service. Customize promotions—shifting from blanket discounts to personalized offers that actually drive revenue.
based diners who recently ordered from a QSR, fast-food or fast-casual chai also found that value is about more than just price. Guests are significantly pulling back their discretionary spending, which is directly influencing when, how, and what they choose to order at quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. The good news?
Faced with rising labor costs and increasingly price-sensitive customers, restaurant brands are exploring new ways to balance profitability with consumer expectations. The findings reveal critical insights into how dynamic pricing impacts customer behavior and what strategies might retain loyalty in a competitive market.
This represents a larger increase than those increasing visits to fast-casual (14 percent) or full-service (11 percent) restaurants and is on par with those visiting QSRs more frequently (24 percent) ( RMS Q1 2025 Dining report ). Streamline the Customer Journey : Operators can learn a lot from the convenience of convenience stores.
at the Italian casual-dining chain as its investments in affordability and Uber delivery paid off. 20, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Consumers are finding value in casual-dining brands like Olive Garden. Photo: Shutterstock Delivery and a take-home meal deal drove a lot more customers to Olive Garden this spring.
After successfully opening a second location in Kernersville, NC, and planning for a third one, the fast-casual gourmet slider brand has started franchising and plans to grow strategically in the Southeast region. First, consumers are demanding more convenience and customization, pushing brands to rethink their menus and service models.
TIPs offers training for individuals on the responsible sale, service and consumption of alcohol. “We’re both humbled and lucky to support our amazing customers during this critical time. NAB Acquires SALIDO. SALIDO was acquired by North American Bancard (NAB.)
So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. – Misty Chalk, vice president, Americas at BrightSign AI Continues to Revolutionize Restaurant Operations and Guest Services: The restaurant sector is poised for a seismic shift as AI integration takes center stage.
Businesses have been forced to pivot away from on-premises dining to offer on-line ordering and take-out services. While some had well established services already in place, others have had to start from nothing to provide these capabilities. Many restaurants have set themselves apart by offering exceptional personalized service.
" While dining out, GLP-1 users skew their dollar spend toward quick-service restaurants, but they shift toward grocery foodservice, casual dining, and midscale restaurants during their first year on the medications, the report found. This should include the role of ingredients such as protein, fiber, low/no sugar, etc.),
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.
Alto-Shaam's team recommend that restaurant staff, including chefs, waitresses, waiters, and hosts, share this knowledge with customers to further feed their excitement and encourage social media promotion of their experiences. This follows a new love of customization, indulgence, and comfort in the US.
More than eight in ten restaurant operators expect 2025 sales to meet or exceed 2024 levels, but rising competition will require differentiation through experience, service, and innovation, according to The National Restaurant Association’s 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report.
If the music is too loud or inappropriate, the guest’s night is ruined and their money wasted, no matter how good the food or service. When full-service restaurants don’t have music, they are unwittingly sending a message to their guests: GET OUT. means not only lower sales but also less repeat business.
Restaurant industry challenges are pushing operators to be more creative and efficient with many opting for more multifunctional spaces – especially in a fast-casual setting. The challenge now is extracting maximum impact from every square foot – both from an operational and customer experience perspective.
If you’re involved in any aspect of the Fast Casual category, you don’t need me to tell you that labor and distribution issues are real. From operations to customerservice, you need to invest in your staff. Your staff and customers will make or break your business.
For restaurants looking to upgrade their service without major overhauls, improving the speed and clarity of internal communication is a practical starting point. After all, when teams are aligned and able to provide quality service almost instantly, guests notice, appreciate the teamwork and keep coming back.
Fast-casual Condado Tacos—which prefers calling itself “next-gen casual”—has long had a bar program with a selection of conventional margaritas and beers to go with its Mexican-style menu and vibe. Condado Tacos also carries about 80 tequilas so customers can spike a drink with their favorite brand. By Patricia Cobe on Jul.
Considering these changes, it’s critical for restaurants to meet their diners where they are and adapt to serve their evolving customer base. As more and more people partake in the experience and more restaurants implement measures catered specifically to solo diners, a customer-centric approach is key.
Photo: Shutterstock Waffle House customers no longer have to pay extra for eggs. Photo: Shutterstock Waffle House customers no longer have to pay extra for eggs. But not all breakfast chains chose to pass egg costs on to customers. By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. Sign up here.
Here are a few examples of tech-centered solutions to ease the ongoing labor crisis in restaurants by putting more functionality directly in the hands of customers: Digital Tableside Ordering to Support Service Staff. At full-service restaurants, servers are responsible for crucial tasks. Customers skip the line entirely.
Over time, I transitioned into the fast casual space, where I now lead Fast Fresh Brands, which includes Bee Healthy Cafe and Nature’s Table. What sets us apart is our commitment to offering healthy, fresh meals in a fast-casual environment that doesn’t feel niche or exclusive.
Guests are dining out more often than last year and and rewarding great service, with the highest tips at bars and fine dining restaurants, according to hospitality industry data from Lightspeed Commerce Inc. The data suggests guests are willing to tip more for great service when digital tools are available to ease the payment process.
How Design Technology Improves Space and Guest Experience Every square foot counts when redesigning a fast-casual eatery or a fine dining venue. 3D design technology allows operators to optimize their space for operational efficiency and customer comfort. Every day a restaurant is closed means lost revenue and customers.
In cities like New York, you’ll find eateries that mirror the bistro’s casual sophistication, while Tokyo’s intimate wine bars reflect a similar ethos of warmth and simplicity. Similarly, the rise of casual fine dining echoes the bistro’s knack for blending refinement with accessibility.
About 40% found that technology has improved customer satisfaction. Kiosks can also ease labor burdens if utilized as the primary tool for customer orders. A Technomic Ignite Consumer report found a significant increase in average checks at both quick service and fast casual establishments.
In a recent report shared by TouchBistro on the State of the Restaurant Industry for 2025, data provides key insights into a year marked by both significant hurdles and notable resilience for the restaurant franchising industry and quick-service restaurant (QSR) operators.
In particular, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages – whether due to resignations or illness – are forcing quick service and fast casual restaurants to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Former competitors are now part of the same umbrella company.
Indeed, we’ve entered a new era of customer habits –– much of it catalyzed by the pandemic, but some of which was already beginning to take shape even prior. The challenge now will be how to earn and foster customer loyalty, particularly in a world where endless other options are just a screen tap away.
. “We are seeing sign-on bonuses at fast food and fast casual locations, something never seen before in the industry. This has overarching impact on the ability of full service, most drastically affected by the pandemic to ever recover.” Customers can order and pay without speaking to a human and a runner delivers the food.
There was a time when 70% of F&B employees didn’t receive training for customerservice. Without the right training, even the best menu or ambiance can fall short due to poor service, leading to dissatisfied customers and lost revenue. Let’s say you run a fast-casual restaurant.
Some well-run quick service restaurants can push it as high as 17% , while full service restaurants tend to sit on the lower end range of 4%-5% due to higher labor costs and more complex operations. Concept and service model: A counter-service taco shop has a very different cost structure than a white-tablecloth steakhouse.
In recent years, consumer behaviors have drastically changed to now preferring delivery services and an increased willingness to pay a premium for a seamless experience. The data revealed that 60 percent of consumers surveyed prefer human staff versus AI-managed customer support, despite the potential for increased service efficiency.
While they crave the value of QSR – 34 percent of families reporting higher spending at QSRs this month compared to 18 percent of childless households – they are inclined toward fast casual and full-service restaurants as well. Delivery services are another area where families are leading the charge.
Restaurants will adopt mobile-first hardware architectures and API-connected software platforms that can be unified at every digital touchpoint, from order taking at POS or self-service, to food prep in smart kitchens, to service in-house, and finally delivery to in-restaurant tables or the customer’s front door.
The experience agency, who designed new restaurant prototypes for clients such as Burger King, Panda Express and Panera Bread, surveyed consumers to gain a better understanding of the current customer journey and what guests value most about the restaurant experience, particularly at casual dining and fast casual restaurants.
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.
And, like the rest of family dining, they have been losing customers. When we spoke to younger customers, we found that Perkins is just not as relevant,” said Ascent CEO James O’Reilly, who joined the company in 2023. It still features the chain’s signature bakery case, where customers can buy pies, cookies and other treats.
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