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
The restaurant experience has quickly become a digital landscape. In 2025 and beyond, restaurant executives should be on the lookout for increasing point-of-sale (POS) systems attacks, AI-powered social engineering tactics, and greater supply chain cyber vulnerabilities. This attack, however, is not out of the ordinary.
Analyze Previous Holiday Sales Data Past sales data is invaluable when it comes to planning the upcoming season. A restaurant point-of-sale system holds historical data so you can see a detailed breakdown of how your restaurant sales performed during previous Christmas seasons.
Steady Online Ordering Brings Food Waste, Donations to the Forefront of Priorities Ordering food online increases restaurant sales, but it also can potentially increase wasted food if proactive measures aren’t taken – for both the business and consumers at home.
Running a restaurant isn’t just about crafting the perfect plate or creating an unforgettable experience for your guests, it’s about making money. The reality is, these vendors make a healthy profit off every sale, and many are willing to negotiate if you know how to play the game. That’s a different story.
Digital transformation has completely reshaped how we serve customers and empower employees, but the stakes are higher than ever. From personalized customerexperiences to unlocking operational efficiencies, technology is the fuel driving the next era of restaurant success. The solution? Get back to basics.
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.
restaurants broke records with projected sales of $1.1 Additionally, labor shortages remain a critical pain point, driving up wages across the industry. Technology: The Double-Edged Sword Technological innovation continues to redefine the restaurant industry, offering tools to enhance efficiency and improve the customerexperience.
“Through expansive experiences that inspire our guests paired with the ambiance of the space and the food on the plate, we’re setting new standards for the industry and creating truly spectacular moments for all who enter our restaurants and bars.”
What was once a gradual process turned into a rapid transformation, permanently reshaping how restaurants operate and interact with customers. Customers have now fully embraced the benefits of using restaurant technology, and to keep up with guests evolving expectations, the tech industry is growing at an incredible rate.
A spike in food costs, a drop in sales volume, or one slow season can wipe out months of hard work. A spike in food costs, a drop in sales volume, or one slow season can wipe out months of hard work. It factors in all your operating expenses, like labor, rent, insurance, equipment repairs, marketing, and more.
One key area to focus on is drink sales, with cocktail sales accounting for about 23% of a bar's revenue. Start by tracking all the income your bar generates, including sales from drinks, food, and any additional services. Next, divide that cost by the total sales revenue from your drinks.
As restaurant brands grow, there is an increasing realization that loyalty and guest experience cannot live in isolated departments anymore. If you are trying to elevate your guest experience or build a loyalty program that actually performs, here is what I have learned that can help. Growth today requires agility.
According to PAR’s 2025 QSR Operational Index , loyalty transactions rose more than 30 percentage points in 2024. Maybe you’d toss in a birthday coupon or a surprise double-points day. Case in point: Free breadsticks get people in the door — but they don’t create a memorable meal.
With 70 percent of operators struggling to fill job openings and 45 percent reporting they don’t have enough staff to meet customer demand, according to the National Restaurant Association. These technologies help streamline operations, lighten the workload for staff, and create a better experience for both employees and customers.
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.
At this point, theres no denying that Keith Lee is among the countrys most influential food critics. Hes also become a self-appointed champion for those independent restaurants, which frequently end up with lines of customers out the door after Lee posts a positive review. Keith Lee: I live a very simple life. But its a blessing.
billion transactions and $67 billion in sales in 2024. Companies saw a sales boost in 2024 as loyalty transactions increased by over 30 percent. 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.
By Lindsay Lawrence, Contributor Relocating a restaurant is no small feat, as it involves managing the transportation of kitchen equipment, reestablishing the space’s atmosphere, and ensuring minimal disruption to your business. These features help restaurant owners and interior designers draft layouts and experiment with configurations.
Your waiters and waitresses are the face of your establishment, shaping the customerexperience and directly impacting revenue. Waiter interview questions to ask: What experience do you have as a waiter or waitress? What does excellent customer service mean to you? Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.
In the end, restaurant groups can turn managing multiple offices into a competitive advantage by focusing on these key areas, which will drive customer happiness and the business forward. Customer Feedback Systems: Implementing customer feedback systems is key to maintaining high service standards.
Building an integrated tech stack is essential for independent restaurants that want to streamline operations and improve customer service. Core Elements of a Restaurant Tech Stack: Point of Sale (POS) Systems: “The POS is the heart of the restaurant’s tech stack, as it needs to talk to every other system,” says Deliverect.
It is atop the list for restaurants looking to modernize, differentiate, and elevate experiences. 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.
Whether for operations expansion, equipment upgrades, staff recruiting, or more marketing activity, growth calls for resources. Expanding Operational Capacity to Meet Higher Demand When customer demand increases, businesses that do not scale up quickly lose valuable opportunities to competitors.
Look at your financials — steady profits, a loyal customer base , and strong staff retention are all signs of readiness. Include key milestones like finalizing the lease, completing renovations, hiring staff, ordering equipment, and doing test runs of your menu. A well-thought-out timeline will help prevent delays and overspending.
Those priorities include increased marketing and sales efforts alongside new benefits and programs to attract and retain staff. Despite potential challenges, the industry is both optimistic, as total restaurant sales crested $1 trillion for the first time on record, and ready to pivot to continue growing.
Start by analyzing these Top 7 POS Sales Reports to know where your restaurant is headed. These reports help you understand sales trends, manage inventory, optimize staffing, and improve customer satisfaction. Sales Exceptions Reports : Spot voids, refunds, and discounts to minimize losses and detect irregularities.
SpotOn grows in popularity amongst restaurants committed to delivering unique, community-driven hospitality experiences. These updates, combined with new partnerships with standout restaurants, reinforce SpotOn’s commitment to equipping operators with the tools and insights needed to thrive in 2025, no matter what comes their way.
Choosing the best POS system for bars in 2025 is essential for streamlining operations, enhancing customerexperience, and maximizing profits. A modern POS system for bars goes beyond just processing paymentsit helps with inventory management, staff scheduling, and real-time sales tracking.
On one hand, US consumers have a growing appetite for premium coffee experiences. On the other hand, leading origins, such as Vietnam, are scaling up to meet demand for more cost-effective options as customers’ pockets tighten. Editor’s note Specialty coffee consumption in the US has reached a 14‑year high.
The restaurant industry is evolving rapidly, and outdated point-of-sale systems are no longer enough to stay competitive. Software, as a Service, commonly referred to as SaaS, is a relatively new business model where software is licensed to customers on a subscription-based plan over the internet.
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. Keep reading.
I spoke with Kacper Ornat and Łukasz Jura at Coffee Machines Sale and Nikolai Fürst at Desarrolladores de Café about why quality control is more important than ever in today’s competitive specialty coffee market. You may also like our article on why roasters and coffee shops need to strategise menu pricing.
Guests get free food and operators gain a database of loyal customers, a tool for increasing sales, and a way to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. What are some different kinds of customer loyalty programs? Do you have an existing customer pool, but you're trying to gain more frequent customers?
Sales tax, payroll taxes, income tax – the list is extensive. Profit margins are notoriously narrow, and navigating the complexities of expenses, payroll and tax compliance can make or break even the most promising culinary venture. In this high-stakes environment, an annual scramble to sort out finances is a recipe for disaster.
With rising ingredient prices, labor shortages, and tighter margins, operators must find strategic ways to reduce restaurant costs without compromising quality or customerexperience. Increasing restaurant profits allows you to invest in upgrades, like better equipment or a nicer place for customers to eat.
G2's Report names SpotOn Restaurant point-of-sale #1 over top competitors in ease of use, quality of support, and more. Ranked #1 out of 27 competitors, SpotOn’s superior performance and customer satisfaction highlight its dedication to helping restaurants succeed.
They provide better flexibility, real-time insights, and improved customerexperiences. Enhanced Security: Built-in safeguards for customer and business data. Key takeaway: Cloud-based POS systems not only solve current operational issues but also prepare restaurants for future growth and changing customer expectations.
If youre wondering how to open a deli that stands out in a competitive food market, this guide walks you through every critical step from business planning and licensing to choosing the right equipment and location. Delis and sandwich shops continue to be popular with customers because they provide versatile, quick dining options.
How POS data improves customer loyalty isnt just a trending topic its a strategic advantage for modern restaurants. By capturing real-time insights into customer behavior, preferences, and spending habits, POS systems empower restaurants to deliver personalized experiences, reward loyalty, and increase repeat visits.
From information in delivery service provider portals such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub to BOH operations and store sales figures tracked via POS systems, the data generated by everyday business operations is highly valuable but complex. Was there an equipment failure or interruption that caused issues?
A modern Point of Sale (POS) system is more than just a cash registerits the central hub that powers day-to-day business operations. From processing payments and managing inventory to tracking sales and streamlining service, POS systems play a critical role in improving efficiency and customerexperience.
The way customers pay is evolving, and restaurants are adapting quickly. If you’re wondering why restaurants are going cashless, the answer lies in speed, security, and customer preference. Cashless systems streamline operations, reduce theft risk, and align with the growing demand for contactless experiences.
Preferences around value and experience evolve quickly. By combining decades of restaurant expertise, AI, guest experience management, and the best workforce and financial benchmarks, brands can make better choices backed by real data. It means losing real revenue. Heres what we found. So whats the solution? So whats the solution?
"The pandemic forced the restaurant industry to reinvent itself overnight, moving from a primarily in-store dining experience to an omnichannel, digital-first business. These changes have become permanent shifts in how they target customers, market themselves, and design their offerings."
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