Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 9, 2025

What details should operators pay attention to when setting up a patio for dining? A good patio setup isn’t just about adding seats, it’s about creating an extension of the guest experience that works just as hard as your dining room. How can operators optimize their outdoor dining for efficiency?

Outdoor 251

Outdoor Mobile Ordering Loyalty Program Fast Casual 251

EATER

MAY 28, 2025

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.

Seating 228

Seating Back of House 2025 Presentation 228

Lavu

MAY 30, 2025

In this article, well walk you through 7 easy steps to increase table turnover effectively, helping you boost your bottom line while maintaining a great dining experience. The last thing any restaurant should do is make the customer feel like they are being pushed out of their seat for the next guest.

Seating 140

Seating Mobile Ordering Customer Service Customer Experience 140

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 185

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Leadership 185

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 2, 2024

It’s been identified as an emerging dining trend – with a 2020 study by NPD Research Group finding single diners have increased their share of U.S. At our Shannon Rose pubs, in addition to numerous bars available for dining, we have several different dining rooms where we have solo seating tables set up.

Loyalty Program 411

Loyalty Program Catering Seating Customer Experience 411

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

Key figures on the restaurant workforce include: Roughly 50 percent of restaurant operators in the fullservice, quickservice, and fast-casual segments expect recruiting and retaining employees to be their top challenge in 2022. Off-Premises Dining Enhanced by Improved Technology. million by the end of 2022.

2022 518

2022 2030 Food Supply Recruiting 518

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 13, 2020

Rakuten Ready surveyed more than 100 customers to measure how behaviors around dining have, or are anticipated to change around the perceptions and impact of COVID-19 on restaurants, food delivery and order for pickup. Among the findings: Most diners are not overly fearful, with 57 percent making no change to their dining behaviors.

Front of House 499

Front of House Back of House Restaurant Law Food Safety 499

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 7, 2020

The 31-year-old, fast casual, farm-to-table chain was doing well, prior to COVID-19. Guests would be seated at every other table or booth so as to maintain a safe distance. Bar seating will be removed and reconfigured to allow six feet between bar stools. Those measures will continue in the future.”

Food Safety 511

Food Safety Front of House Back of House Seating 511

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 30, 2025

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features delivery data, tariff troubles, summer dining trends, and Beer Serves America. Additional findings indicate that 44 percent favor a balance of human staff and some technology, while 41 percent prefer no AI use at all in their dining experience.

Fast Casual 251

Fast Casual Food Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 251

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 31, 2020

No doubt, while several restaurant chains in the quick service space (QSRs) have seen double-digit, same-store sales growth, COVID-19 has provided an additional untimely blow to the casual dining space that cannot transition as nimbly to a takeout-only model. providing and requiring PPE; taking reservations only for seating).

Retail 443

Retail Casual Back of House Consumer Goods 443

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 22, 2020

In addition, pop-up restaurants (100 openings) and seafood markets (84 openings) experienced an increase in openings compared to the same period in 2019, catering to consumers' interests in novel ways to dine and shop for food outside of traditional restaurant experiences.

2019 495

2019 Food Supply Food Truck Outdoor 495

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 31, 2021

Restaurant management can put some thought into reconfiguring any dining area to make the space feel exclusive and welcoming, not bare or half-empty; this will likely mean the removal of furnishings that don’t allow social distancing. Safety and Normalcy.

Customer Service 474

Customer Service Online Ordering Customer Experience Hospitality 474

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

Salad is rising as the next drive-thru concept The fast-casual Greenlane is plotting growth across Florida with investor and NFL star Rob Gronkowski working the drive-thru window. 17, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Greenlanes have no dine-in seating. At Greenlane, there’s no dine-in service. By Lisa Jennings on Jun.

Fast Casual 162

Fast Casual Leadership Mobile Ordering Casual 162

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Vetting dining room, bar, and kitchen staff over the next decade will require probing more during job interviews, seeking candidates with more responsible lifestyles, advanced educational aspirations, and other evidence of a disciplined, drug-free work ethic will become even more of an HR imperative. Christopher Baron of RedBaron Consulting.

Mobile Ordering 539

Mobile Ordering Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 539

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 5, 2021

Casual Dining velocity has grown by 158 percent over the same period, suggesting many of the Casual Dining business models were able to maintain sales to some degree through pandemic restrictions. The Value of Trust. The impact of COVID-19 on customer behavior was experienced swiftly f by all industries.

2021 490

2021 Coupons Loyalty Program Consumer Goods 490

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 21, 2021

Here are a few examples of restaurants with names that ooze concept: Parm: Casual Italian, known for their Chicken Parm Sandwiches. Umami Burger : Casual burger spot with an empaths on flavor. A fine-dining restaurant with an emphasis on ingredients may present the menu simply, with descriptions of where the ingredients are from.

Fast Casual 370

Fast Casual Food Truck Casual Customer Service 370

SpotOn

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Fast casual restaurants are popping up faster than you can say "build your own grain bowl." " They're somewhere between a full-service casual dining restaurant and a quick-service restaurant or fast food chain. Looking for tips on starting your fast casual restaurant?

Fast Casual 52

Fast Casual Casual Loyalty Program Online Ordering 52

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 15, 2020

Robert Earl is Founder of Earl Enterprises (Buca di Beppo, Earl of Sandwich, Bertucci’s, Mixology Grill & Lounge), Founder of Virtual Dining Concepts (Wing Squad), Co-Founder of Chicken Guy! Paul Wahlberg is Chef/Co-Owner of Wahlburgers, a casual dining restaurant and bar founded by the chef and his brothers Mark and Donnie.

Food Safety 515

Food Safety Social Media Loyalty Program Consumer Goods 515

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 16, 2022

Reports show that 81 percent of fine dining establishments, 78 percent of family restaurants, and 77 percent of fast-casual spots added curbside pickup, pivoting away from dine-in services after March 2020. On top of that, nearly half of all restaurants offered delivery services during the pandemic.

Online Ordering 472

Online Ordering Management Management Point of Sale 472

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Restaurant segments represented include fine dining, casual dine, fast casual, quick service restaurants and bars. The survey group included 418 restaurant operators and 1,500 restaurant patrons who had visited a restaurant two or more times per month prior to COVID-19. COVID-19 Impact on Restaurants.

Fine Dining 507

Fine Dining Fast Casual Innovation Employee Relations 507

Lavu

OCTOBER 13, 2023

For example, a casual restaurant usually has a higher turnover rate. This should include all tables available for seating customers. It is calculated by dividing the number of guests served by the number of tables available during that time period. The ideal turnover rate changes based on type of restaurant.

Seating 174

Seating Mobile Ordering Customer Service Online Ordering 174

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

The normalcy of customers coming in the doors for a night of dining or even a casual lunch feels like a vision of the distant past. Adapting Your Footprint for Outdoor Seating. Unequivocally, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs in the food industry have been among the hardest hit, economically speaking, by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fine Dining 502

Fine Dining Restaurant Law Food Truck Outdoor 502

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 1, 2024

60% of guests who have a positive experience are likely to dine at a restaurant more frequently. High-quality food not only satisfies hunger but also creates memorable dining experiences that customers will want to repeat. Moreover, the menu sets expectations for the dining experience.

Customer Experience 397

Customer Experience 2024 Online Ordering Customer Service 397

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

On the surface, you may not think a roadside diner or downtown café would have much in common with a fast-casual chain, not to mention an elegant stand-alone restaurant where couples and families celebrate over a two-hour, five-course meal. That stated, how and why your patrons will dine is paramount. Also, consider your location.

Fast Casual 450

Fast Casual Uniforms Dine-in Take-out 450

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 4, 2021

One of the key functionalities within many QSR and fast casual mobile apps these days is the ability to order ahead and select curbside pickup. This puts the customer in the driver’s seat and removes the reliance and uncertainties on timeliness of delivery offered by third parties.

Mobile Ordering 508

Mobile Ordering Marketing Menu Fast Casual 508

EATER

JULY 18, 2023

Listen to this article In 1999, the first “dining in the dark” restaurant opened in Zurich, Switzerland. The blind waitstaff helps the diners find their seats, and then serves them a series of mystery dishes, which the guests taste and guess at in total darkness. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Dine-in 246

Dine-in Restaurant Law Website Management Fine Dining 246

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 17, 2020

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features consumers' dining desires, the power of personalization and the untapped opportunity in localized marketing. COVID-19 Consumer Dining Trends. Mixed take-out bag. Mixed take-out bag.

2020 493

2020 Mobile Ordering Loyalty Program Food Safety 493

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

A casual brunch spot in a college town will attract a different crowd than a high-end steakhouse in a business district. Consumer insights: Beyond the basics, think about why people dine at your restaurant. 4 Reasons Why You Cant Ignore Restaurant Marketing in 2025 Restaurant marketing in 2025 isnt just a nice-to-haveits a necessity.

2025 195

2025 Marketing Email Marketing Operations 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 18, 2020

The guide encourages operators to view their establishment as distinct zones to drive diner comfort and safety at various steps of the dining out journey and provides helpful solutions for approaching each zone. Interviews were also conducted with operators and diners in China to understand what learnings might be applicable for U.S.

Front of House 520

Front of House Back of House Online Ordering Kitchen Safety 520

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2022

In terms of trends, it is clear that in 2023 technology will continue to shape and enhance the restaurant industry and we will see operators adopting new technologies to create an even more seamless and frictionless experience for guests, while still maintaining unique and engaging dining experiences. For part one, click here.

2023 493

2023 Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Customer Experience 493

EATER

JUNE 4, 2024

Say bonjour, always Whether it’s at the post office, a boutique, or a fine dining restaurant, say “bonjour” to every single person you interact with. Even a casual corner bistro can easily book up. Part of the reason you’re traveling to France is, presumably, to tap into that gastronomic reverence. at 20 o’clock.) and keep them.

Fine Dining 300

Fine Dining Reservations Seating Online Ordering 300

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 8, 2024

QSRs Shift Focus from Slow-Paced Dining to Swift, Transactional Experiences Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are reimagining their dining spaces to prioritize speed, convenience, and personalization over traditional, slow-paced dining experiences. Read the first part, here. For the second part, click here.

2024 539

2024 Loyalty Program Cash Management Customer Experience 539

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 4, 2019

What’s on our collective horizon for the future of dining? Outside of fine dining establishments (which constitute only a small percentage of restaurant businesses), customers no longer want to be dependent on a host to seat them or a server to take their order or process their payment. Some things never change.

Fast Casual 307

Fast Casual Customer Experience Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 307

Restaurant Clicks

JUNE 3, 2021

The weather is beautiful, and we are all ready to dine outdoors in the Washington, D.C. Outdoor dining is a favorite amongst Washingtonians, and we have rounded up the leading restaurants you should try! Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in DC. This article includes restaurants that are diverse, and they are all outstanding.

Outdoor 148

Outdoor Dine-in Reservations Front of House 148

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

Konro is a Japanese-inspired concept known for a 10- to 14-course tasting menu, served at a chef’s counter with only 10 seats. He previously was arrested in Chicago after reportedly attacking his ex-wife. By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 05, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Konro was the first West Palm Beach restaurant to earn a Michelin star.

Fast Casual 147

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 Loyalty Program 147

7 Shifts

AUGUST 20, 2024

However, with fewer customers dining out weekly , restaurants must ensure that they can serve each diner quickly and satisfy them enough that they’ll want to return. Tracking and implementing strategies to improve this metric will allow you to maximize your dining space and generate more revenue.

Online Ordering 221

Online Ordering Fast Casual Fine Dining Seating 221

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 1, 2020

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features the rise of eCommerce, economic impact, dining during COVID and hot dog insights. Yelp’s diners seated data shows significantly more people are dining-in at restaurants. Yelp's Economic Impact Report.

2020 450

2020 Travel Food Safety Consumer Goods 450