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Omnichannel communications and value-oriented customer expectations are two elements challenging restaurant owners and operators, according to a survey from Klaviyo. Brand websites and web browsing are 533 percent more popular than online marketplaces for restaurant discovery.
Just like a well-crafted mission statement will help guide your business decisions, identifying and understanding your target customers and competitors through restaurant market research will give your business a competitive edge. Do you want to find out which food items your customers love the most? With the 4.5%
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. When consumers order more food online, it’s clearly good for business – but it can also make it harder for businesses to manage inventory.
-based diners who recently ordered from a QSR, fast-food or fast-casual chai also found that value is about more than just price. Diners are looking for a better overall experience, from streamlined ordering to more inviting restaurant environments. Technology that once felt futuristic is quickly becoming standard.
This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features the present and future of AI use in F&B, The Splintered Path to Purchase, the Datassential 500 Awards, and where chefs are earning six figures. percent menu-price inflation rate. At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1
At the same time, a rise in fast-food prices driven by inflation is reshaping consumer behavior, with many customers now treating fast food as a splurge rather than a convenience. The future of dining will center on creating smarter, simpler, and more personal experiences for customers.
Customers expect to browse menus, place orders, and pay for their meals with just a few taps of their phones. For restaurant operators, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge: how to implement an online ordering system that maximizes revenue while maintaining control over their customer relationships. billion in revenue.
For a long time, third-party delivery apps seemed like the easiest way to get your restaurant online and in front of new customers. This means customers place orders through your own website or appnot a third-party platform. This means customers place orders through your own website or appnot a third-party platform.
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.
By the time you finish this article, youll know how to approach restaurant marketing the right way and not waste time doing guesswork, crossing your fingers, and then hoping you see new customers walking through the door. Customers have more choices, higher expectations, and countless ways to discover (or overlook) your restaurant.
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. Having a digital presence is critical.
It just goes to show how important drink pricing and cost management are to maximizing profits. Bars that effectively manage their inventory and reduce waste tend to maintain higher margins. Bar profit margin and pour cost Some high-performing bars can reach higher margins by optimizing their costs and pricing strategies.
Knowing the true cost per serving means you’re not guessing where to set menu prices. When done correctly, dish costing helps you control food costs, reduce food waste, and price items in a way that supports your restaurant’s financial health without alienating guests. Every smart pricing move starts here.
If your business isnt keeping up with the changes, you risk falling behind and not meeting modern customer expectations. For operators, restaurant apps mean higher sales, greater customer retention, and smoother day-to-day operations. Beyond mobile ordering, restaurant apps support operations in ways that were never available before.
If youre using a modern POS system or inventory management software, you likely already have most of this information easily at your disposal. These are candidates for portion adjustments or pricing tweaks. What Is Menu Engineering and Why Should You Care? Promote them, protect them, and never mess with them without a good reason.
This doesnt mean cutting corners and sacrificing the customerexperience; its about knowing where your money is going, spotting leaks early, and fine-tuning whats already working. Create specials that use the raw materials you already have in-house or seasonal ingredients you can buy at the best market price.
AI isnt about replacing peopleits about making everyday tasks faster, smarter, and easier to manage. AI is no longer just a buzzword, its a reality that is reshaping how restaurants operate, interact with customers, and make decisions. Computer Vision : This uses cameras and AI to see whats happening.
In this guide, youll learn how to use ChowNow tools along with a handful of other effective strategies to increase order volume, boost your current customer traffic, and grow your overall sales. Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to stay top-of-mind with customers and remind them its time to order again from your restaurant.
Rifrullo Café, a cozy farm-to-table restaurant in Brookline, Massachusetts, hums with customers on a steamy July mid-morning. As a chef, I have a responsibility to do my best to create good environments for people, customers, and the community,” says Marnell-Suhanosky. These restaurants try to tackle them all. Community, environment.
In this article, youll learn: How menu management software streamlines menu updates and eliminates manual errors Why outdated or inconsistent menus can impact customer satisfaction and revenue Key features to look for when choosing the right software for your restaurant Lets explore why every restaurant needs menu management software.
Managing multiple third-party delivery platforms can feel like running several businesses at once. In this article, well show you how to consolidate your delivery apps into one system so you can end tablet chaos, improve takeout operation, and ensure customers get their food fast, hot, and, most importantly, accurate.
Restaurant review sites aren’t just for diners—they’re also savvy tools for restaurant operators to gather customer feedback and help control the narrative around their dining experience. Google also pulls in data like price range, categories ( like “brunch” or “outdoor patio”), your star rating, busy times, and snippets from reviews.
Operators who ignore this opportunity risk losing significant revenue to their competitors while missing out on the chance to build a stronger connection with their customers. Many restaurants struggle with high third-party app fees, low website traffic, and clunky ordering experiences that drive customers away.
However, it’s best to understand how cost-effective your current customer acquisition efforts are before dedicating resources to it. Knowing how to calculate and optimize your customer acquisition cost (CAC) can help you make smarter decisions about your marketing and advertising strategies.
High and volatile green coffee prices , along with increasing operational costs, are creating a more competitive market. Brands are forced to strike a balance between quality, value, and customer service. However, managing all of these is easier said than done, and the digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving.
Dining habits change, food costs fluctuate, and customer preferences can shift depending on what’s trending. The reason why this happens can vary, but it’s usually one of these three scenarios: Regular customers are tired of ordering the same menu items and want to try something new. A shift in dining trends.
Are you moving to provide a better customer base? This clarity also lets you communicate confidently with your team and customers, helping them buy into your vision for your restaurants future. Remember, location influences customer flow, staff retention, and menu pricing. Lower rent? More foot traffic?
95% of restaurant operators say guests are more value-conscious, while 61% of customers say loyalty offerings are an important when choosing a restaurant for delivery. 82% of consumers said they plan on ordering delivery from a restaurant if they can afford it, while 51% say ordering takeout from a restaurant is essential to their lifestyle.
There are two reasons every restaurant operator should actively manage their Google Business Profile. It’s the first impression most customers will have of your restaurant. Restaurant operators who neglect their Google Business Profile are missing out on the 62% of customers who turn to Google when looking for a place to eat.
To reach more customers and increase operational efficiency, hes expanding into a ghost kitchen model; an approach that lets him serve delivery and takeout customers without the overhead of a dine-in space. Without the right tools in place, scaling online orders in a sustainable way became more difficult to manage.
From AI-driven ordering systems to smart inventory tools and contactless dining experiences, today’s innovations are reshaping how restaurants operate, serve customers, and stay competitive. Chefs are experimenting with unique flavors and there are some wonderful technologies to look into. The good news is that now you can.
Back-of-House (BOH) Systems: BOH platforms offer streamlined inventory management, staff coordination and kitchen operations tracking. Payroll Portals: Payroll platforms track employee hours, manage schedules and process payments seamlessly. These systems help optimize efficiency behind the scenes. But that’s just the beginning.
With rising ingredient prices, labor shortages, and tighter margins, operators must find strategic ways to reduce restaurant costs without compromising quality or customerexperience. Discovering new ways to reduce costs in restaurant management can boost profits. Food cost control is crucial.
In the restaurant business, AIs abilities are uniquely well-suited: mining large volumes of complex data, making and testing hypotheses on the fly, maximizing efficiency, and even interacting with customers. It also can engage in a back and forth with customers to confirm an order, and always has the entire menu memorized.
It's essential for smooth operations, accurate reporting, and a great guest experience. Features and pricing models change frequently, so review the POS providers' websites and connect with POS providers directly so you know exactly what to expect. The POS system is a restaurant's command center.
In 2025, convenience and speed continue to drive customer expectations, reshaping how people choose and receive their meals. From higher app usage to growing demand for personalized ordering experiences, this data uncovers the trends influencing modern dining behavior. Only 45% of QSR customers prefer to place orders through employees.
The way consumers interact with restaurants has changed significantly in recent years, driven by technological advancements and shifting customer expectations. Key factors driving this growth include: Convenience Customers value the ease of browsing menus, placing orders, and making payments directly from their devices.
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?
But even the most experienced operators can fall into traps that hurt customerexperience and profits. While the end-product of a quick-serve restaurant is to provide fast food to hungry customers, there are common mistakes in the industry. The same theme must be on your website, social media, or other platforms used.
It can range from a few dollars to a much higher price at certain high-end restaurants. Restaurants determine their standardized corkage fee that remains the same price no matter the quality or price of the wine. Many restaurants specifically state their corkage fee policy with prices and BYOB practices.
Guests feel the same: just 13% still prefer third-party apps, while 40% now want to order direct through your website or app (Source: Restaurant Technology News ). Here’s the kicker: repeat guests spend 67% more than first-timers, making your customer data and loyalty program more valuable than ever (Source: Restaurant Technology News ).
They’re an important tool for maximizing profit, managing inventory, and keeping your menu fresh and exciting. Placing an expensive option at the start of the list also makes other prices seem reasonable in comparison. Think about your concept—what role do your menus play in the guest experience?
They require specialized support that understands the intricacies of fluctuating revenues, high labor costs, and complex inventory management. This volatility makes accurate forecasting and consistent cash flow management incredibly challenging.
Check with your kitchen manager or accountant for these numbers. If you understaff and get slammed, your guests have a bad experience and your team is frustrated. In most restaurants, managers can't see how the schedule affects profit margins, so they tend to overstaff to avoid trouble. Overhead costs.
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