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
You can have a crowd-pleasing menu, loyal regulars, and a packed dining roomand still watch your margins disappear. Too many restaurant menus are built on intuition and aesthetics, not real numbers. What Is Menu Engineering and Why Should You Care? Because not every dish thats popular is profitable.
For instance, "Discover which menu items are most popular among our target market" is a clear and focused goal. If your market research goal is to introduce a new menu item, you can measure its success by tracking its sales and customer feedback. Instead of having a vague goal like "Improve my business," make your goals more specific.
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.
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.
To do so, you must have an optimized website and engaging social media profiles. Build a mobile-friendly restaurant website In 2024, roughly around 63% of all web traffic came from mobile devices. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you could be losing out on potential customers.
Between online reservations, third-party delivery apps, and direct ordering from your website, digital interactions often happen before a guest ever steps through your doors. Look at their pricing, menu offerings, branding, and customer reviews. A strong online presence means more visibility, more orders, and, ultimately, more revenue.
Youll learn how to: Make your website easier to use Improve your restaurants online visibility so more customers find you Offer rewards to create more repeat customers Leverage third-party apps to drive more customers to your direct ordering system And so much more. The first step is making sure your website is mobile-friendly.
To delve more deeply into the results, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Hope Neiman, Tillster’s chief marketing officer. On the digital side, customers expect mobile apps and websites to offer fast, consistent, and intelligent ordering experiences. Have guests’ needs changed?
How to improve your website and listings to rank higher in local searches. When someone types in best pizza near me or brunch spots in [your city], Google sorts through countless websites and ranks them based on relevance, credibility, and user experience. The best ways to get more customer reviews and use them to your advantage.
According to a Gallup poll, guests only look at your menu for 109 seconds before ordering. Menu engineering uses real data to show you which items are the most profitable and should be your main focus. See how your menu items are performing with our free menu engineering worksheet. What is menu engineering?
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.
So, if instant exposure and hands-off management are what youre looking for, third-party platforms can help bring in orders without requiring much on your end. Theres little room for branding, and menu presentation, pricing, and promotions are often influenced by the platforms rules rather than the restaurants preferences.
An inventory management system with automated restocking alerts keeps your stock levels in check. Order Management : Reduce human error and speed up service with tableside ordering, kitchen display system (KDS) integration, and self-service kiosks. Beyond where customers place orders, how you manage deliveries matters just as much.
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
This means customers place orders through your own website or appnot a third-party platform. Third-party ordering platforms, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, manage the entire ordering process on your behalf. With first-party, customers place orders directly through your restaurants own website or branded mobile app.
Music can play a role to enhance the dining experience, setting the mood and complementing the menu and design. Look to see if the number on the documentation matches what is on the company’s official website or call the organization they say they are from to verify the claim.
Knowing the true cost per serving means you’re not guessing where to set menu prices. Step-by-Step Guide to Costing a Dish If the idea of costing a dish sounds like spreadsheets and stress, don’t worry, we’re breaking it down into five manageable steps. It’s the foundation of knowing your actual food cost. The remaining 71.7%
They help with reservations and table management, staff scheduling and time management, inventory tracking, rewards programs, automated marketing, and more. These apps make it easier to manage digital orders, streamline kitchen operations, and reach more customers. Reservation and table management apps.
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. Calculate the cost of each drink on your menu, including the cost of the alcohol, garnishes, mixers, and anything else that goes into the drink.
Many restaurants struggle with high third-party app fees, low website traffic, and clunky ordering experiences that drive customers away. Even when they manage to attract online orders, a lack of repeat business makes sustained growth feel out of reach. Use high-quality images and compelling menu descriptions.
These are tools that can help you streamline operations, easily schedule staff, and make sure you never run out of ingredients for your best-selling menu items. AI isnt about replacing peopleits about making everyday tasks faster, smarter, and easier to manage. Theyre designed to be easy to implement and even easier to see value from.
If youre looking for a loyalty program, ChowNows Rewards Program is designed to reward diners and keep them coming back to your direct ordering channels. Promote a Limited-Time Menu Item Few things drive action like the phrase only available for a limited time. Only use this deal on menu items that cost you very little to produce.
Time Management: 80% of tasks completed often come from 20% of the effort. The rewards themselves are flexible toodiscounts, free menu items, or other perks that align with your restaurants offer. From exclusive discounts to updates on new menu items, emails keep customers informed and engaged.
A well-designed layout lets guests feel calm and lets servers move fast. The design also reveals that the company values customer comfort and takes immense satisfaction in its space. 2 Fresh and Local Ingredients Elevate the Menu Using fresh, locally grown foods freshens the menu and demonstrates quality consciousness.
Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked Murray for her insights on how and why to change a restaurant’s concept, social media marketing, and more. And the truth is, I opened it too quick and majority of the people in that location didn’t have an appreciation for the menu items that we were offering that the time.
Make sure that your restaurant's name, address, phone number, and website are correct and consistent across all platforms. Add high-quality photos and videos regularly, posting as soon as new dishes are added to your menu. If you haven’t already claimed your Google Business Profile, this should be your first step.
Knowing the reason helps guide every decision, from choosing the right space to redesigning the menu or layout. Remember, location influences customer flow, staff retention, and menu pricing. The new location should reflect your brand values in every detail, from the signage and interior design to the uniforms and playlist.
Lynn Kupczyk is a Lead Designer on the SpotOn marketing team. She's designedmenus, Instagram ads, and logos for small businesses. Your restaurant menu defines your restaurant. Streamline your menu A well-designed restaurant menu starts in the kitchen. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
By Tracie Johnson, Contributor Running a restaurant requires more than just a good idea, a great menu, and determination. Securing more resources guarantees that your restaurant can manage more demand without compromising quality, whether it comes to equipment upgrades, automation investments, or production facility expansion.
Direct online ordering through a POS system Third-party delivery services with a possible POS integration Do-it-yourself restaurant website builders When assessing each of these options, we're looking for the Goldilocks effect. The best online ordering system can't be so expensive that you don't make any significant profit.
Managing how people see your business online can mean the difference between success and struggle. Managing your reputation involves paying attention to customer feedback and making improvements. Why Online Reputation Management Matters How reviews affect customer decisions Reviews directly affect customer decisions.
It indicates how efficiently your restaurant produces and sells its menu items. High CoGS can eat into profits, so it’s important to manage inventory and control waste effectively. Strategies to Manage and Optimize Labor Costs Schedule staff based on peak hours to avoid overstaffing. Encourage reservations to manage flow.
You could have an extensive or creative menu. Your storefront, as is your social media, website, or delivery boxes, is essential. Do they need a menu with cocktails and Neapolitan pies with truffle oil and fig compote? Restaurants with top recipes and branding will fall short without a well-managed staff. Or advertising.
Whether you want more customization, smoother POS integration , or simply a more professional look on your TVs and tablets, the market is full of digital beer menu software worth considering. Multiple menu types : Can you show beers, wines, cocktails, and food? WHY LOOK FOR AN UNTAPPD ALTERNATIVE?
Thankfully, one of the newest restaurant technologies available was designed specifically to tackle this problem. With a restaurant POS system , restaurateurs and managers can have an integrated platform where all aspects, from ordering to delivery, down to accounting can be effectively monitored.
Its very important that you and the people managing your social media understand the principles of Instagram-worthy plate presentation. Follow the Rule of Thirds with Plate Presentation Professional photographers, videographers, and graphic designers use the rule of thirds to create balanced, dynamic compositions.
This guide breaks down 28 proven strategies that help cut unnecessary expenses, streamline operations, and boost profitability—whether you manage a small café or a multi-location chain. Discovering new ways to reduce costs in restaurant management can boost profits. Let’s dive into what really works in today’s competitive landscape.
Unlike traditional setups, these systems provide real-time access to data, seamless updates, and remote management—making them ideal for today’s fast-paced food service environment. In this post, we’ll explore why SaaS POS is not just a trend but the future of restaurant management.
Operational Complexity Managing online orders alongside in-house dining requires efficient workflows and staff training. Implementing robust tracking systems and real-time communication tools can help manage customer expectations and improve satisfaction. Meeting these demands consistently can be challenging.
” Bringing the Campaign to Life at the National Restaurant Association Show The Knowledge + Community = Profit campaign will come to life at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show through activations, education, and networking opportunities designed to support and connect restaurant operators.
Whether you run a local café or manage a multi-location restaurant, understanding these numbers can help you adapt, grow, and meet your customers where they are: on their phones. Restaurant apps and websites are the most used channels for digital ordering, representing 62% of all digital orders, via NPD.
This surge in off-premise orders forced restaurants to optimize their operational workflows, from kitchen management and packaging to delivery logistics. Furthermore, digital tools for inventory and labor management became crucial for navigating supply chain disruptions and staffing challenges. Innovate or die was the new mantra.
Trade shows like WoC Geneva allow us to connect with our global coffee community, understand evolving market needs, and share innovations directly with the people we design them for.” To learn more about WoC Geneva, visit the website. The event typically hosts several World Coffee Championships.
Order and pay at the table technology is emerging as a game-changer, allowing guests to browse the menu, place their order, and complete paymentall from their smartphone or a tablet, without waiting for staff. Use screen content to promote upcoming events, new menu items, coupons, and more. Restaurants can place a QR code on a table.
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