Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 29, 2025

Too often, what customers found was a clunky experience marked by poor scanning results, slow click-throughs and the need to download third-party apps just to engage with the expected content. Just when it seemed QR codes might go the way of the pager or MySpace, improvements in design were followed soon after by the pandemic.

Menu 371

Menu Loyalty Program Download Customer Service 371

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 20, 2025

This shift is fueled by more adventurous young palates and a desire for children's dining experiences to reflect the culinary sophistication enjoyed by adults. BRIO Italian Grille offers a kids' menu for ages 12 and under, featuring entrées such as Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna.

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Menu Dietary Restrictions Social Media Catering 251

ChowNow

JULY 4, 2025

Where our eyes land first, how we interpret prices, and what descriptions stick in our minds—all of it is shaped by subtle design choices and cues we may not even notice. And while it’s been used for years in print menus, these same techniques can be applied to digital menus, too.

Online Ordering 195

Online Ordering Influencer Menu Ordering 195

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 5, 2024

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. High-end wine glasses that enhance the drinking experience are filling a market gap left post-COVID.

Fine Dining 405

Fine Dining Consumer Goods Presentation Seasonal Menu 405

ChowNow

JULY 11, 2025

When going through the ordering process, diners want three things: Speed Ease Clarity Your menu categories have more to do with delivering on those expectations than you might think. A well-organized menu—whether it’s a physical menu or an online menu—guides guests quickly to what they’re craving.

Menu 195

Menu Dietary Restrictions Seasonal Menu Online Ordering 195

ChowNow

MARCH 27, 2025

Menu pricing isnt just about covering costsits about finding that sweet spot where profitability, customer perception, and operational reality meet. Too high, and youll drive customers away. Most operators aim for food costs to be around 28-35% of the menu price, though this can change from restaurant to restaurant.

Pricing 195

Pricing Menu Point of Sale Customer Experience 195

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Many restaurant operators have misconceptions about average order volume (AOV) and how it works, making statements like: I need more customers to make more money. In fact, boosting AOV is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase revenue while improving the customer experience for your guests.

Ordering 349

Ordering Online Ordering Loyalty Program Customer Experience 349

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 13, 2025

They appreciate brands that engage with them online and offer seamless digital experiences – both online and in-store. Are there specific menu items or categories that are proving to be popular and others that have fallen out of favor? Restaurants that offer diverse and innovative menu options can attract this group.

Social Media 426

Social Media Sustainability Customer Experience Sourcing 426

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 2, 2025

In California, annual fees for a liquor license can also reach up to $1M, depending on factors like operating hours, customer policies, and whether the establishment offers on-site brewing. This trend highlights a shift in consumer behavior, with dining places increasingly seeking unique experiences rather than just a meal.

License 472

License Loyalty Program Innovation Customer Service 472

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

You take your seat at a table embedded with a touchscreen menu. Tipsy is a real robotic bartender at the Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas, mixing drinks for customers as we speak. Companies like Bear Robotics offer robots like Servi, designed to act as food runners and table bussers. Need a drink? People will find new roles.”

Front of House 450

Front of House Food Order Seating Customer Experience 450

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 24, 2025

In an industry where margins are razor thin and customer expectations are insanely high, the divide between marketing and operations is no longer sustainable. But if either side breaks down, or worse, works in isolation, customers feel it immediately and stop coming back. But the modern customer doesn’t care about org charts.

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Operations Marketing Customer Experience Loyalty Program 294

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 16, 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.

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Back of House Customer Experience Customer Service Hospitality 340

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 31, 2024

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.

Beverage 450

Beverage 2025 Fine Dining Guest Recovery 450

Culinary Cues

MAY 12, 2025

Cooking should be fun and designed to make all involved happy. Make the tomato an experience. Youre a chef, dont take the easy route of buying pre-cooked cold cuts for your meat roast, smoke or braise your own; make it your signature and let the customer see the product being sliced in front of them. Choose your oven wisely.

Fine Dining 352

Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Front of House White Paper 352

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 14, 2025

Diners are looking for a better overall experience, from streamlined ordering to more inviting restaurant environments. This reinforces that consumers increasingly value the customization, control, and frictionless experience kiosks provide, and are actively seeking them out as part of their ideal ordering journey.

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Loyalty Program 2025 Mobile Ordering Fast Casual 332

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 3, 2025

For a deeper dive into brand messaging, strategy, and authenticity, creating unified guest experiences, and the orchestration of physical and experiential touchpoints, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to The Plaid Penguin’s Founder and Sir Idea Man Joe Haubenhofer. A strong restaurant brand goes beyond a logo.

Social Media 251

Social Media Customer Experience Email Marketing Loyalty Program 251

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 20, 2025

Running a restaurant isn’t just about crafting the perfect plate or creating an unforgettable experience for your guests, it’s about making money. But behind the friendly smiles and occasional free merch is a strategy designed to make them as much money as possible. Here’s an example from my own experience.

Operations 418

Operations Beverage Point of Sale Pricing 418

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 27, 2025

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.

Loyalty Program 371

Loyalty Program 2025 Customer Experience Customer Service 371

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 7, 2025

A customer in Miami should bite into the same perfectly seasoned burger that delights diners in Seattle. Reliable experiences build brand loyalty, and systemic processes lead to reliable profit margins. It’s no secret that restaurants with more than one location depend on standardization to thrive.

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Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Customer Experience Customer Service 282

Lavu

MARCH 21, 2025

Restaurants can now use customer data to enhance restaurant menu design, creating smarter menus that increase profits and improve the dining experience. This approach also helps reduce food waste and maximize customer satisfaction. Spot Best-Sellers : Focus on the 16% of menu items that drive 80% of sales.

Design 78

Design Menu Seasonal Menu Point of Sale 78

Goliath Consulting

JULY 11, 2025

Operators are leaning into four types of AI—Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Conversational AI, and Predictive AI—to streamline operations, reduce waste, and personalize the guest experience in ways that weren’t possible just a few years ago. Guest experience is also getting a high-tech upgrade.

Email Marketing 221

Email Marketing 2024 Social Media Waste 221

ChowNow

MARCH 21, 2025

Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Without a well-defined target market, restaurants risk wasting resources on strategies that dont connect and menu offerings that dont selltrying to appeal to everyone, but standing out to no one.

Marketing 195

Marketing Social Media Email Marketing Loyalty Program 195

ChowNow

JUNE 12, 2025

The real wins come from small, smart shifts; things like improving your online ordering system, highlighting your most profitable dishes, and giving existing customers more reasons to come back. Create Limited-Time Offers That Drive Action Limited-time offers (LTOs) give potential customers a reason to order now, not later.

Loyalty Program 195

Loyalty Program Social Media Online Ordering Email Marketing 195

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. However, with prices rising, customers are choosier about where they spend their money. According to the hospitality experts at Washington D.C.-based

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Fast Casual Customer Experience Design Casual 221

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 27, 2024

For restaurant operators, these challenges underscore the importance of thoughtful decisions that boost efficiency and drive customer retention. Data-backed loyalty programs, in particular, present a key opportunity for marketers to foster deeper customer connections in 2025. Start small by choosing technology that connects easily.

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2025 Loyalty Program Email Marketing Customer Experience 275

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 22, 2024

From improving your Google listing to leveraging customer reviews, these tips will show you how to boost your visibility and drive more traffic to your restaurant. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you could be losing out on potential customers. This way, you won’t need to code your site from scratch.

Book 195

Book Marketing Email Marketing Social Media 195

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 9, 2025

First, consumers are demanding more convenience and customization, pushing brands to rethink their menus and service models. Customers expect seamless online ordering, loyalty programs, and delivery options, and franchise systems need to invest in tech to stay competitive. The key is using technology to work smarter, not harder.

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Loyalty Program Franchise Franchising Fast Casual 251

Restaurant Business

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A recent opportunity analysis and industry forecast, developed in partnership with Allied Market Research, uncovered four key global trends and growth factors that are helping to guide Chatimes innovation pipeline, including recent menu additions and whats coming up in 2025.Unique

Beverage 273

Beverage Innovation 2025 Social Media 273

EATER

OCTOBER 21, 2024

This ideally reinforces the connection in the customer’s brain between their everyday choices and the resulting impacts on the environment: “You’ve saved so many gallons of water, you’ve saved so many square meters of land and emissions and energy,” as Goldman says. Congratulations. The environmental mission can come later. So he took action.

Sustainability 326

Sustainability Sourcing Consumer Goods Compost 326

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

The answer to why your restaurant needs a website is simple: if you dont have a website, you are 100%, without a doubt, missing out on hundreds, if not thousands of customers. A well-designed website does more than just make a good first impression. How owning your digital presence can help you reach more local customers.

Social Media 195

Social Media Online Ordering SEO Email Marketing 195

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 11, 2025

By partnering with CPG companies, restaurants can bring signature flavors and menu-inspired offerings, such as sauces, soups, frozen entrees, or burger patties, to retail shelves. These touchpoints allow customers to engage with the brand in ways that feel personal and memorable. Authenticity starts with alignment.

License 221

License Social Media Retail Loyalty Program 221

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 17, 2025

Their effect isn’t just sensory — they can also activate digestive enzymes and modulate appetite, contributing to the dining experience beyond taste. Educating patrons on how bitterness can actually enhance enjoyment — just as salt sharpens sweetness — requires thoughtful menu language and trained front-of-house staff.

Front of House 221

Front of House Back of House Seasonal Menu Sustainability 221

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 11, 2024

"Merchandise is more than just a revenue stream — it’s a way to deepen the connection with your customers and expand your brand’s reach." The idea for a dedicated merch program originated from my belief that a brand isn’t just a physical space or a menu—it’s a lifestyle.

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Merchandise Sports Social Media Seasonal Menu 419

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Youre delivering a great dining experience, yet foot traffic remains inconsistent, online engagement is low, and new customers arent coming in as often as youd like. The problem isnt your food or serviceits visibility and customer engagementand were going to help you fix that. Optimize your Google Business Profile.

2025 195

2025 Email Marketing Social Media Loyalty Program 195

ChowNow

JULY 11, 2025

Just like banks debate on whether or not to lend you money based on your credit history, customers will decide whether or not to eat at your restaurant based on your overall Yelp rating. takeout, delivery, reservations) Everything about your Yelp page should influence customers to choose your restaurant.

Customer Service 284

Customer Service Social Media Customer Experience Online Ordering 284

ChowNow

MAY 2, 2025

Your customer email list is your most valuable marketing asset, giving you an incredible ROI of $42 for every $1 you spend. You own it, it costs very little to maintain, and its a direct link to your customers any time youd like to reach themno complicated algorithms or third-party platforms getting in the way.

Email Marketing 195

Email Marketing Loyalty Program Social Media Seasonal Menu 195

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 16, 2025

Adjusting menu prices may have worked in the past, but it’s no longer enough to offset rising costs. These systems are designed to filter and chill tap water on-site, and provide still or sparkling water directly from the countertop. Owners and operators need to focus on back-of-house spending to find ways to reduce expenses.

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Back of House Waste Food Supply Transportation 251