March, 2024

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The Healing Power of ‘Speaking in Taco’

EATER

Carina Guevara Why TikToks filmed at the taco truck, the taqueria, or otherwise around food feel so much like home I spend a fair amount of time scrolling the depths of Latinx TikTok, and the subject of tacos is inevitably one of the subgenres that takes up much of my FYP. The first time I noticed Mario Lopez appearing in my feed — Lopez, who I still see as the muscly teen heartthrob who first flashed his sparkly dimples as A.C.

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Restaurant Success: Insights from Industry Expert Chip Klose

Chowly

Introduction In the dynamic world of restaurant ownership, gaining valuable insights and shared experiences can be akin to finding a rare gem. Our recent conversation with Chip Klose , a seasoned veteran in the industry, offered a deep dive into navigating the complexities of the restaurant business successfully. Join us as we explore Chip’s unique perspectives and expertise that extend beyond conventional consulting.

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Dining Trends for 2024

Modern Restaurant Management

Experiential dining, plant-based menus and sustainability were hot topics in the Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) 2023 Trends Report. The visionary panel that explored dining away from home included members with specific expertise and interest in restaurant dining and the hospitality industry. The discussion included food, beverage, nutrition, lifestyle and unique aspects of boutique and high volume foodservice.

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Restaurant Startup Growth and Business Outlook for 2024

Modern Restaurant Management

Twenty twenty-three, began with a banking crisis and ended with the highest interest rates America has seen in fifteen years. It also ended with continued economic growth and low unemployment, making it a profitable, yet challenging year for small businesses in the food service industry. Continued Fed tightening made borrowing to fund growth more expensive, while a tight labor market meant challenges finding talent and higher labor costs.

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Optimize Restaurant Operations With the Right Payroll & HCM Services

Running a restaurant involves juggling numerous tasks, but payroll and HR shouldn’t add to the stress. Our guide, "A Buyer’s Guide to Payroll & HCM Services," is tailored for the restaurant industry to help you choose the best provider. Efficient payroll services ensure timely, accurate payments, crucial for maintaining staff morale. Compliance support helps navigate labor laws and avoid costly fines.

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Actually Giving a Sh*t

SpotOn

Walk into any great restaurant or bar and you’ll encounter a hospitality team that not only serves tasty food and libations but also provides top-notch service. Unfortunately, some of the big businesses that “serve” restaurants don’t always seem to feel the same. Maybe it’s because they figure restaurants need them more than they need their restaurant clients.

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How Thoughtful Innovation Is Helping Restaurants

SpotOn

SpotOn was named by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in 2024, joining past winners like OpenAI, AirBnB, and Microsoft. Listed as number 9 in the dining category by Fast Company , SpotOn was recognized for its continuous innovation with products like Seat & Send and Marketing Assist. We sat down with SpotOn Chief Product Officer Bryan Solar to weigh in on the significance of the award and, more importantly, how restaurant operators can approach innovation with a practical

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What Women Want: A Place to Watch the Game

EATER

A Bar of Their Own opened in Minneapolis March 1. Sports bars that center women’s sports are opening across the country — and doing big business “I was sick of always feeling like an afterthought in fandom when it came to public spaces to view sports,” says Jillian Hiscock, the owner of A Bar of Their Own, a sports bar focused on women’s sports which opened in Minneapolis March 1.

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Mobile Orders Are Secure And Ready For Fast Pickup At This Lehigh University Café

Restaurant Business

At first glance, it might seem that the purpose of food lockers is to provide fast, secure order pickup for busy students and guests. But that’s just the beginning. College and university dining leaders use smart food locker solutions in a variety of unexpected ways, depending on the unique challenges they face. Here are a few recent examples of how leading higher ed dining programs are using smart food pickup solutions to solve challenges like reducing crowds and lines, securing mobile orders,

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Professional Services Consultant: Revel Employee Spotlight

Revel Systems

Meet Professional Services Consultant Josh Starkey Get to know some of the best and brightest at Revel Systems® in our recurring “People POS” question-and-answer series. Our previous spotlight featured Kotryna Anilionyte , a talent acquisition specialist based at our European headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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From anxiety to cancer, the evidence against ultra-processed food piles up

The Salt

Americans consume more than half their daily calories from ultra-processed food. A new study finds consuming lots of this food is linked to a higher risk of many diseases.

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HR in 2025: Insights & Predictions

What type of worker is most engaged—hybrid, remote, or onsite? What are the drivers of effective leadership? What does the C-suite think HR is most responsible for? And why is a wave of HR resignations more likely in the next 12 months? Get our annual survey report to find out: The #1 challenge of recruiting & hiring Why remote teams are struggling What are the drivers of effective (and ineffective) leadership And lots more!

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Like Mother, Like Daughter: Love of Cooking Transcends Generations

SpotOn

Since the age of 7, Dayana Salazar has aspired to be like her mom, Veronica. That's a fitting start since young Veronica also wanted to be like her mom. Along with her 11 siblings, Veronica grew up in her family's restaurant, Caldos Rivera Antojitos Mexicanos, in 1980s Mexico City. Caldos Rivera Antojitos Mexicanos was a family affair, as each child played a role.

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New 2D Barcodes Offer Easy Access to Dynamic Information for Food Traceability and More

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurants started using 2D barcodes (such as QR codes) at dining tables to offer digital menus and even allow patrons to order with their smartphones during the pandemic, when contactless transactions were necessary. Since then, the practice has become ubiquitous. While a QR code can connect users to a host of static information, a more powerful 2D barcode is on the horizon to offer a wider suite of capabilities with virtually unlimited data storage capacity for instantaneous retrieval with th

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New-Wave Bakeries Are on the Rise in Puerto Rico

EATER

José Rodriguez piping local herb cream cheese for his smoked salmon cups at Levain Artisan Breads. | Rafael Ruiz Mederos After decades of industrialized baked goods, Puerto Rico welcomes a generation of bakeries redefining the island’s traditions with local ingredients and global techniques Soft, doughy pan sobao is ubiquitous in Puerto Rico. The popular sweet bread is sold in almost every bakery, supermarket, and corner colmadito.

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How &Pizza is bringing its edgy mojo back

Restaurant Business

The Washington, D.C.-based chain has a (sort of) new CEO who has made lots of changes. His message to workers: Uncover those neck tattoos and crank up the music. You can be you.

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New DOL Final Overtime Rules: Quickstart Guide for Employers

There’s a new overtime salary threshold that will impact employers across the country. If you have an employee making less than $43,888 on July 1 or less than $58,656 on January 1, you’re going to have to start paying overtime. Download Paycor’s guide to learn: Which groups of employees are affected? How should you classify employees? Best ways to mitigate risk.

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Restaurant Tech Insights from an Expert

Chowly

Introduction In the fast-moving world of restaurant technology, it’s super important to stay on top of things to succeed. We talked to Alistair Levine , partner and head of Business Development for KitchenSync, who’s been in the business for a while and knows a lot about how single and multi-concept restaurants use technology. In this blog post, we’ll share some valuable insights from our chat with Alistair ranging from challenges and opportunities in restaurant tech and why it

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Who cooked up butter chicken? A court seeks the answer. Plus: Madhur Jaffrey's recipe

The Salt

Two families are battling for bragging rights as the inventor of the wildly popular dish. Will the truth come out? Or it could be there's another origin story involving. British tastebuds?

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SpotOn Named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies List 2024

SpotOn

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 19, 2024 —  SpotOn , the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants and small businesses, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the Most Innovative Companies for 2024. SpotOn earned the standing of number 9 in the Dining category , which recognizes companies driving the restaurant industry forward through technology.

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A Call for Human-Centric Restaurant Leadership in an AI Future

Modern Restaurant Management

In the wake of the post pandemic world, the restaurant industry is undergoing a transformative phase, embracing AI technology at an unprecedented pace. However, as we surge forward, it's imperative to highlight what's missing from today's dining experience and identify the qualities that elevate a great manager to give the next level service assisted by AI, required to succeed in this new environment.

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Join Full Course Navigator: Your Path to Professional Growth in Restaurant Leadership

Full Course Foundation is dedicated to nurturing excellence in restaurant leadership. Our Navigator program offers a wide range of resources tailored for professional growth. From high-quality training to personalized coaching, Navigator equips restaurant leaders with the tools they need to thrive in their careers. Unlock your potential with three months FREE access to Navigator by Full Course!

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The Best Salmon Recipes, According to Eater Staff

EATER

Lille Allen/Eater Whether it’s air-fried in filets or roasted in large pieces with butter, salmon is a reliable home kitchen staple Diners in the United States can’t get enough salmon: It’s generally right behind shrimp as the country’s most-consumed seafood. Quick-cooking, flavorful all on its own, and amenable to all kinds of marinades and cooking styles, it’s no wonder salmon is such a reliable fish to have on-hand.

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David Graves is out as president of Pizza Hut U.S.

Restaurant Business

Aaron Powell, the pizza chain’s global CEO, will take over management of the restaurant brand domestically while a replacement is found.

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Reskilling, Retention and Robotics: Creative Solutions to the Restaurant Labor Shortage

Modern Restaurant Management

The restaurant industry has always been dynamic and challenging, but the labor shortage has pushed it to a critical juncture. Establishments are grappling with a complex crisis characterized by empty seats in dining areas and behind the scenes, where a shortage of skilled workers is keenly felt. To revitalize the workforce and enhance operational efficiency, it is imperative that we boldly explore innovative solutions across reskilling, retention, and robotics.

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Why a Customer Service Strategy Is Important in a Restaurant

Modern Restaurant Management

Attracting new customers is important to every business owner. While there are many marketing strategies to get customers in the door, it is just as important to create customer service strategies that keep them coming back. The restaurant industry has very low retention rates , estimated at only 55 percent. With the impact a dissatisfied consumer can have on your bottom line, it is important to create a customer service strategy that sets your restaurant apart from the competition.

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Planning Your Restaurant's Path to Profitability

Speaker: James Kahler, COO of Full Course

Ever wondered where to splurge and where to safely conserve when it comes to operating and growing your restaurant? 🤔 Join James Kahler, COO of Full Course and industry visionary, in this new webinar where he'll talk all about best practices to invest in your restaurant's success! Whether you're a new business or an established restaurant, a seasoned pro or a rookie, you'll learn the keys to sustainable success in this competitive industry.

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Tech Meets Tannins: The Role of AI in Modern Event Planning

Modern Restaurant Management

The event planning industry is experiencing a significant transformation. This renaissance, characterized by a blend of tradition with technology, is reshaping the essence of wine selection, moving away from the notion that tech seeks to replace tradition. Instead, it introduces a narrative of harmonious enhancement, where data-driven precision and the sommelier's artistry converge, creating a personalized wine journey for every guest's palate.

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AI, VR, Holographs and More in QSRs

Modern Restaurant Management

What will the QSR of the future look like and what role will AI-integrated technologies play? To answer that and more, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to an expert–Daniel Hawes, Vice President of Product Design at Givex, whose work marries the worlds of technology, design, and academic research. He has developed and produced twelve television series, nine films, more than 50 games, and pioneered applications in Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.

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Menu Redesign Avoids Confusion and Promotes Optimization

Modern Restaurant Management

To reduce menu confusion and minimize price sensitivity, Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill recently rolled-out a rengineered and easier-to-read menu. The fast-casual Mexican chain's legacy menu had complicated triple-tier pricing that was thought to psychologically drive more mid-tier buying behavior, but the complex product suite of 80-plus items made fresh daily, plus thousands of permutations in choices, also lent itself to a visually crowded menu as well as one that was challe

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Choosing the Best Payment Processor For a Restaurant

Modern Restaurant Management

The most popular way to pay at restaurants is through card transactions, whether it's credit or debit. According to a PYMNTS study , 68 percent of consumers use their credit cards to purchase food at a restaurant, equating to $29.8 billion in sales in February 2022. While credit cards seem easy and simple for consumers, the payment method impacts a restaurant's bottom line more than guests realize.

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Top 5 Ways to Optimize Your Loyalty Strategy

Speaker: Lauren Barash, Vice President, Brand Marketing

In an ever-evolving industry, building and retaining loyal customers is critical to the success of any restaurant business. Join Lauren Barash, VP of Brand Marketing at Full Course, as she delves into the world of restaurant loyalty programs, and reveals the top five essential strategies to optimize your approach! This webinar will explore: Loyalty trends and what you should be focusing on 📊 Actionable insights and ideas to help you develop the most powerful and effective loyalty program

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Dining in the Digital Age

Modern Restaurant Management

As traffic slows, how do restaurant operators keep and capture customers? By cracking the code of restaurant app usage, according to Revenue Management Solutions (RMS). The data analytics firm did some decoding by asking 330-plus restaurant consumers what app features were most valuable – and what turned them away. ( Cracking the Code of Restaurant App Usage, November 2023 ) What Customers Value RMS segmented respondents by generation, and while preferences varied, all ages placed the most

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Safety Training and a Strong Safety Culture: The Recipe for Mitigating Restaurant Risk

Modern Restaurant Management

Things began to change for the restaurant industry in 2023 as the script flipped from cutbacks to a growth mindset. Data from the National Restaurant Association’s 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry report revealed that nearly three in four operators were focused on sustaining growth. While the change in mindset is good news for the industry, expansion in this sector is hampered by staff turnover with a majority ( 62 percent ) of restaurant owners reporting being understaffed.

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Blending in with the Plant-Based Trend

Modern Restaurant Management

To promote sustainability and help reduce meat consumption, Mush Foods introduced 50Cut, a mushroom mycelium blend to the US market for chef use in meat, poultry, and fish dishes. To learn more, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Mush Foods Culinary Director AJ Schaller. What factors have fueled the increased use of mushrooms in unique ways?

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The Power of Ranch

Modern Restaurant Management

Did you know that a plumber from Alaska is responsible for one of the most beloved condiments in the U.S.? The story of ranch dressing dates back to the 1940s when Steven Henson thought up the buttermilk and herb concoction. After purchasing the Hidden Valley dude ranch, he started selling his dressing and its popularity grew from there. According to a 2021 survey conducted by YouGov , ranch is the most popular salad dressing in the United States, with 51 percent of respondents indicating that t

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2024 Restaurant Spending Trends to Stay Ahead of the Curve

How do you stay on top of what your customers are expecting when they step through your doors? Do you know what’s on their mind? How are you going to account for what they’re planning on doing months from now? As we head into 2024, price-related issues are still top-of-mind for restaurant customers after the inflation boom earlier this year. In this new report, we give you the latest insights on consumer spending trends, attitudes on tipping, and how you can respond.