Yep, I know there are bruises and wounds to heal, any industry has their share. Certainly, there are issues and things to be addressed and fixed and there is little doubt that life has not always been fair and kind when it comes to kitchen work, but like so many other businesses and industries – the positive far outweighs those scars and wounds. Take the time to think about it:
This is a profile of the restaurant business that gets lost in all the negative press.
[] SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER
In 2021, there were 14.5 million people employed in the restaurant industry1
[] THE CLEAREST WINDOW TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
80%of single-unit restaurants in the U.S. are owned by people who started as entry-level employees and 90% of managers started in the same way.1
[] THE LEADING “FIRST JOB” INDUSTRY IN AMERICA
1/3rd of all Americans had their first job in restaurants and nearly ½ of all American workers have had a job in restaurants at some point in their life.1
[] A BENCHMARK BUSINESS THAT DEFINES A VILLAGE, TOWN, OR CITY
“Local restaurants are an impactful gathering place for communities, where relationships form, and memories are made. They preserve agriculture and food preferences and styles of cooking from generation to generation and are the lifeblood of regional food culture.”2
[] THE HALLMARK FOR TRADITIONS AND ETHNICITY
The neighborhood restaurant is often the soul of micro cultures. It is the repository of recipes, cooking methods, traditions, and the power of our melting pot country.
[] A UNIVERSAL REWARD SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMERS
Dining out is more than a need for nourishment, it is a reward for hard work, a place to celebrate success, a way to recognize others, a mecca for friends to enjoy each other’s company, and a place where the important topics of the day find a home in discussion.
[] THE REAL CONNECTION BETWEEN FARMERS AND CONSUMERS
The farmer is oftentimes the unsung hero of our communities. Without them, we would not be able to enjoy the bounty of the earth. The restaurant is the forum where farmers can see the fruits of their labor come to life. Restaurateurs are ambassadors for the regional agricultural community.
[] THE HIGHEST PERCENT OF WOMEN MANAGERS & OWNERS OF ANY
INDUSTRY
47% of all restaurants in the U.S. are owned by women.
[] A SAFE HAVEN FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE
No other art form has such an impact. No other art form appeals to all human senses. No other art form provides the artist with instant feedback on the quality of his or her work. No other art form connects so many stakeholders through the process of growing, processing, transporting, preparing, serving, and enjoying a product.
[] THE HEART OF THE ECONOMY IN TOURIST COMMUNITIES
All other aspects of tourism rely on the restaurant to punctuate an experience. What is travel, a hotel, or a center of entertainment without the provision of quality food?
[] AN INDUSTRY THAT THRIVES ON TEAM ENVIRONMENTS
Although many industries require teams to accomplish their goals, very few are so closely inter-dependent and focused on teamwork, as the restaurant business. It is the concept of team that attracts people to a career in food and it is the action of the team that allows a positive guest experience to come to fruition.
Let’s fix our problems, but not forget just how valuable and important the restaurant industry is to our way of life – a quality life.
PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER
Harvest America Ventures, LLC
Restaurant Consulting
www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG
(Over 800 articles about the business and people of food)
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https://cafemeetingplace.com/cafe-podcasts
More than 50 interviews with the most influential people in food
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