Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 21, 2025

However, to unlock AI’s potential, leaders will likely need to balance innovation and operational discipline, strengthen governance, and address capability gaps to help optimize operations, boost margins and future-proof their business — in both the front and back of house.”

Customer Experience 399

Customer Experience Employee Relations Loyalty Program Inventory 399

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 14, 2025

based diners who recently ordered from a QSR, fast-food or fast-casual chai also found that value is about more than just price. At the same time, 21 percent say they’ve increased their budgets in 2025 – showing that while some are pulling back, others still see dining out as a worthwhile indulgence.

Loyalty Program 332

Loyalty Program 2025 Mobile Ordering Fast Casual 332

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 17, 2025

There is an opportunity for restaurant operators who want to embrace the GLP-1 movement by focusing on portion sizes and crafting "GLP-1-friendly”menu items, Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor, Circana, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine. "By

Beverage 410

Beverage Magazine Education Retail 410

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

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.

Definition 282

Definition Loyalty Program 2025 Fine Dining 282

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 12, 2025

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.

Retail 354

Retail Marketing Fast Casual Customer Service 354

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 9, 2025

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. What details should operators pay attention to when setting up a patio for dining? The result?

Outdoor 251

Outdoor Mobile Ordering Loyalty Program Fast Casual 251

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 13, 2025

Gen Z is redefining dining, seeing your restaurant as an extension of their identity. Focus on Experience : Create memorable dining experiences that are shareable on social media. Think visually appealing dishes and unique dining setups that make every visit Instagram-worthy. What can restaurants learn from this?

Social Media 426

Social Media Sustainability Customer Experience Sourcing 426

ChowNow

JANUARY 23, 2025

At this point, all it takes is one lousy dining experience to sever the connection you once had with a customer who potentially spent thousands of dollars at your restaurant every year. Your regulars, the ones that keep the lights on and the closed sign flipped to open, often get overlooked, if not blatantly ignored. Thats huge!

2025 195

2025 Loyalty Program Operations Email Marketing 195

Restaurant Business

JUNE 20, 2025

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. Same-store sales at the Italian casual-dining chain spiked 6.9% By Joe Guszkowski on Jun.

Delivery 238

Delivery Fast Casual Leadership Point of Sale 238

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 9, 2025

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. Technology – and especially AI – is already reshaping how restaurants operate, and that impact is only going to grow.

Loyalty Program 251

Loyalty Program Franchising Franchise Fast Casual 251

Restaurant Business

JULY 21, 2025

Cheese debuts a new arcade concept for adults who want to be kids Emerging Brands Big Way brings a fast-casual take on hot pot This 13-unit chain from Canada recently opened its first U.S. Only this one is fast casual. location in the Los Angeles area, with more to come. By Lisa Jennings on Jul. Rendering courtesy of Big Way Hot Pot.

Fast Casual 172

Fast Casual Casual Loyalty Program 2025 172

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 27, 2025

With households increasingly treating dining out as a luxury, every menu item and service interaction becomes a potential make-or-break moment. Additionally, customer satisfaction with full-service restaurants varies significantly depending on the type of purchase experience (dine in, carry out, or delivery). At the same time, U.S.

Loyalty Program 371

Loyalty Program 2025 Customer Experience Customer Service 371

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 22, 2025

Furthermore, CAD supports the design-build lifecycle and maintenance, ensuring continuity and precision from the initial concept to the daily operation of the completed restaurant. How Design Technology Improves Space and Guest Experience Every square foot counts when redesigning a fast-casual eatery or a fine dining venue.

Design 221

Design Technology Fine Dining Fast Casual 221

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Whether youre an independent operator or part of a small chain, visibility is everything. Whether youre an independent operator or part of a small chain, visibility is everything. Now, lets start with the first step every restaurant operator should take when launching a marketing campaignknowing their market inside and out.

2025 195

2025 Marketing Email Marketing Operations 195

Restaurant Business

JULY 2, 2025

By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. 02, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Wholesale egg prices have fallen 67% since their March peak. Photo: Shutterstock Waffle House customers no longer have to pay extra for eggs. Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu,” Georgia-based Waffle House wrote on X. Thanks for understanding!”

Pricing 242

Pricing Back of House Fast Casual 2025 242

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 14, 2025

We didn’t imagine it would one day lead to owning a café, and certainly not to creating a fine dining restaurant within that same space. After the morning rush, the space sat virtually empty, and Tracie saw an opportunity to maximize its potential. ' Preparing the café for evening dining presented real logistical hurdles.

Fine Dining 251

Fine Dining Café Small Business Fast Casual 251

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 15, 2025

I came into the food industry after building a strong background in business strategy and operations. 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. Under his leadership, the brand has doubled its footprint in just six months.

Fast Casual 221

Fast Casual Food Franchising Franchise 221

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

based architecture and design firm / /3877, newly-available real estate offers prime locations and cheaper rent for fast casual restaurants such as taco shops and upscale burger joints. This has led to a growing appeal for unique dining experiences and fast-casual concepts. According to the hospitality experts at Washington D.C.-based

Fast Casual 221

Fast Casual Customer Experience Design Casual 221

Restaurant Business

JULY 2, 2025

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. “Before we had ordinary combos, like strawberry-banana, but I wanted to explore some wilder flavors and florals,” he said.

Fast Casual 239

Fast Casual Beverage Back of House Leadership 239

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 16, 2025

The agency has grown from a one-woman operation to a team of nine with clients across the U.S. So when we develop a brand’s marketing strategy, we take into consideration operational factors.” “That’s the difference. ” to reflect their marketing philosophy and experience in both sectors. And I love that.

Marketing 474

Marketing Social Media Email Marketing Back of House 474

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Recent experiments with pricing strategies, such as summer value promotions, yielded lukewarm results, leaving operators questioning the best approach to menu pricing. As a result, they are overwhelmingly dining out less across all restaurant segments. Perception : Anticipating price variability made consumers feel less fairly treated.

Pricing 446

Pricing Food Airlines Point of Sale 446

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 3, 2025

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. Operators are thinking beyond the immediate space, considering how design elements can evolve and become recognizable brand signatures.

Fast Casual 251

Fast Casual 2025 Design Customer Experience 251

The Rail

MARCH 31, 2025

It ensures process consistency and simplifies operations across multiple sites. Operations at Multiple Locations Technology makes managing numerous locations easier in many ways: Centralized Management Systems: Managers can manage multiple locations from one platform.

Technology 130

Technology Management Management Operations 130

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 9, 2025

Introduction: The Charm of French Bistro Culture At the heart of French bistro culture lies an effortless charm that transforms dining into something personal and profound. Unlike larger, formal dining establishments with starched linens and sprawling menus, bistros offer a relaxed intimacy that swaps stiff elegance for a warm, lived-in feel.

Fine Dining 221

Fine Dining Influencer Dine-in Innovation 221

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 16, 2025

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.

Front of House 324

Front of House Communication Back of House Fast Casual 324

Goliath Consulting

FEBRUARY 8, 2025

Additionally, he launched Big Chicken, a fast-casual concept that combines his love for comfort food with high-quality ingredients. Shaqs hands-on involvement in branding and expansion has made Big Chicken a rising player in the competitive fast-casual market. Operational Excellence Efficiency at scale drives profitability.

Fast Casual 221

Fast Casual Franchising Franchise Sports 221

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Independent restaurants are at a pivotal moment, as the industry confronts multiple challenges including inflation, cost volatility, and extreme weather and adapts to an increasingly complex operating environment, according to the findings of the The James Beard Foundation® (JBF) 2025 Independent Restaurant Industry Report.

2024 251

2024 2023 2025 Loyalty Program 251

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 28, 2024

For dining establishments that rely on in-person traffic, a simple way to track new customers is by asking them directly when they place an order or through digital receipts that prompt a brief survey. Instead of casting a wide net with generic ads, use targeted marketing to reach the people most likely to dine at your restaurant.

Loyalty Program 195

Loyalty Program Fast Casual Social Media Email Marketing 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 22, 2025

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. Functional Design Elements While aesthetic considerations remain important, functional design elements directly impact operational efficiency.

Uniforms 221

Uniforms Loyalty Program Front of House Customer Experience 221

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2025. So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. Data, Data, Data.

2025 419

2025 Loyalty Program Social Media Fast Casual 419

ChowNow

JULY 25, 2025

Tracking it correctly will: Reveal accurate profit margins Help set profitable menu prices Flag operational problems Support better budgeting Help you stay competitive Yet, despite its importance and the advantages of using it, many operators don’t calculate it regularly or aren’t confident they’re doing it correctly.

Food 195

Food Inventory Point of Sale Waste 195

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 18, 2025

Music and dining are all about expectations. However, when going out to dine, it is all about being social, having great conversations and enjoying each other’s company. We did a study with one of our full-service operations and found that guests spent 30 to 40 minutes in the restaurant with no music.

Loyalty Program 251

Loyalty Program License Customer Experience Restaurant Law 251

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Long after the restaurant industry felt the most significant impacts of the pandemic, echoes still reverberate in the form of workforce realities and operational challenges. Quick-serve restaurants (QSRs) experienced four-percent growth over the past year, which helped to offset the declines seen in full-service dining.

2025 474

2025 2024 Recruiting Employee Relations 474

Restaurant Business

JUNE 13, 2025

Starbucks’ latest gambit to improve operations? Private-equity firm Savory Fund made a major investment in casual-dining chain Hawkers Asian Street Food. Photo: Shutterstock Welcome to Restaurant Business’ Week in Review for the week of June 9, 2025. million last year, that’s more than double the next closest chain.

Operations 221

Operations Leadership 2025 Fast Casual 221

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

All photos courtesy of Ascent Hospitality Management A pair of legacy family-dining brands are out to prove that age is only a number. All photos courtesy of Ascent Hospitality Management A pair of legacy family-dining brands are out to prove that age is only a number. Perkins and Huddle House are classics of the family-dining genre.

Fast Casual 182

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Leadership 182

7 Shifts

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Fine dining establishments may require staff to have in-depth knowledge of each dish, including wine pairings and ingredient sourcing, while a fast-casual restaurant may focus on quick service and consistent food prep. A well-informed team improves service, enhances the dining experience, and reduces errors in the kitchen.

Training 195

Training Kitchen Safety Food Safety Customer Service 195

Restaurant Business

JULY 25, 2025

The report also found that there’s a slight shift away from takeout toward dine-in visits, but when consumers opt for breakfast off-premise, online ordering and mobile payment rules. Meanwhile, dine-in visits have increased in fast-casual and fast-food restaurants, while takeout and drive-in orders are down.

Mobile Ordering 203

Mobile Ordering Fast Casual Leadership Consumer Goods 203