Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Fast Food Flavor Report Fast food brands and restaurants are scratching their heads trying to figure out what flavors are a bonafide trend and which are just a fleeting fad. A New York polished casual hot spot’s drink “Always Greener” paired gin, Suze, and sorrel (an herbaceous plant) for a bright botanical kick.

2025 450

2025 Beverage Fine Dining Guest Recovery 450

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 28, 2021

From full service to fast-casual to legacy fast-food brands, the one constant was disruption. The “chicken wars” had captured most headlines in the months leading up to the COVID pandemic, and a crowded field of fast food and fast-casual concepts have made attempts to get into the game.

Franchising 492

Franchising Franchise 2022 Fast Casual 492

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 18, 2024

So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. For restaurants, sourcing from these local markets offers a way to support regional producers while differentiating their menus with unique, high-quality ingredients. Data, Data, Data.

2025 419

2025 Loyalty Program Social Media Fast Casual 419

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 16, 2023

When we asked about fast food: 29 percent said they eat fast food frequently. 46 percent said they occasionally dine at a fast-food restaurant. Only five percent said they never eat fast food. 29 percent said they rarely ate at casual restaurants. 29 percent said they rarely ate at casual restaurants.

Fast Casual 531

Fast Casual Fine Dining 2023 Consumer Goods 531

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 11, 2022

In particular, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages – whether due to resignations or illness – are forcing quick service and fast casual restaurants to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Former competitors are now part of the same umbrella company.

2022 520

2022 Marketing Fast Casual Mobile Ordering 520

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

Salad is rising as the next drive-thru concept The fast-casual Greenlane is plotting growth across Florida with investor and NFL star Rob Gronkowski working the drive-thru window. But Tampa-based Greenlane is among a growing number of fast-casual concepts making freshly prepared salads a drive-thru option.

Fast Casual 162

Fast Casual Leadership Mobile Ordering Casual 162

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 30, 2025

Fast Food and QSR Value The United States Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurant Market size was valued at US$ 248.8 billion by 2033, according to The "United States Fast Food and Quick Services Restaurants Market Size and Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033" from ResearchAndMarkets.com.

Fast Casual 251

Fast Casual Food Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 251

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 24, 2024

B Corp Restaurants As of early 2024, almost 150 restaurants around the world have achieved the certification, from fine-dining independents to fast-casual chains, with hotels, breweries and food delivery companies also dotting the list. Green Restaurant and Slow Food were others we considered.

Certification 221

Certification Fast Casual Front of House Government 221

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 18, 2024

Culinary methods and sources of inspiration for menus and venues were also part of this group’s discussion. Among the findings: Casual experiential dining appeals on many fronts to consumers of varying ages in different parts of the country looking for affordable culinary experiences.

2024 474

2024 Food Truck Fast Casual Allergens 474

Restaurant Business

MAY 7, 2025

Behind the Menu: Smart cross-utilization of products allowed the fast casual to expand its permanent menu without complicating sourcing and operations.

Fast Casual 204

Fast Casual Bar Casual Sourcing 204

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 29, 2021

“We are seeing sign-on bonuses at fast food and fast casual locations, something never seen before in the industry. Fast casual will continue to push out full-service brands because they can assemble food in front of you and get food to the customer more quickly. He got creative on how to source employees.

Fast Casual 553

Fast Casual Hiring Online Ordering Front of House 553

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

Ads are appealing for delivery apps: They are another source of revenue, and a profitable one at that. News marketing delivery technology Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. To my knowledge, there’s nobody else offering this for restaurants specifically.”

Advertising 228

Advertising Fast Casual Social Media Leadership 228

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 12, 2021

According to Upserve’s 2020 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, the industry will collectively lose $240 billion, with casual dining sales volume down by 60 percent and fast casual down 50 percent. There’s no disputing that the past year has been extremely hard on the restaurant industry overall.

Fast Casual 411

Fast Casual Food Safety Loyalty Program Customer Experience 411

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Many are at a point where they feel they can’t raise prices higher—fast casual doesn’t have the pricing band that a fine dining restaurant will have, for example—which means looking for more efficiencies in the business and service. . Why do you feel restaurant owners are optimistic for 2023? .

Food Supply 473

Food Supply 2023 Fine Dining Fast Casual 473

ChowNow

JUNE 12, 2025

It’s tempting to chase quick wins with deep discounts or paid promos, but those tactics usually eat into your margins as fast as they spike short-term numbers. Reward Repeat Customers for their Loyalty A well-designed loyalty program turns loyal customers into your most reliable source of repeat business.

Loyalty Program 195

Loyalty Program Social Media Online Ordering Email Marketing 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 16, 2021

Tableside ordering via tablets, tableside payment, POS systems designed with mobility and flexibility in mind have dominated the market growing out of the fast casual. We’re also seeing many of our clients find new ways to be more sustainable in sourcing their food products. Ilona Knopfler, Partner, Le Bilboquet.

Fast Casual 390

Fast Casual Front of House Fine Dining Mobile Ordering 390

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 31, 2020

Despite COVID-19 and the dramatic impact on the QSR/Fast Casual restaurant space, Clean Juice experienced something slightly different and more in line with what was happening in the organic food industry as a whole – a surge in interest and growth. Note to yourself; it will be challenging at first.

Food 596

Food Food Supply Franchising Franchise 596

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

The industry is evolving fast, and simply relying on word-of-mouth or foot traffic isnt going to cut it. A casual brunch spot in a college town will attract a different crowd than a high-end steakhouse in a business district. Are you all about sustainable sourcing? Consider their age, gender, income levels, and even location.

2025 195

2025 Marketing Email Marketing Operations 195

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Guests will expect to know every aspect of sourcing and meal preparation, which will disrupt traditional back-of-house systems with technology that connects the farm to the food. In the short term, it’s QSR that will experience labor improvement, then fast-casual. Restaurants will become increasingly casual.

Mobile Ordering 539

Mobile Ordering Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 539

Goliath Consulting

JUNE 15, 2021

Meanwhile, sales at cafes, fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, and casual-dining establishments fell by 27 percent. Suppliers have trouble finding enough personnel, and fast food restaurants’ “chicken sandwich wars” have pushed demand even higher. Multiple Sourcing and Backup. Conclusion.

Supplies 414

Supplies Food Supply Front of House Fast Casual 414

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 13, 2024

With loyalty programs giving diners access to special deals and third-party delivery services charging additional, unwanted fees, consumers prefer to go directly to the source for takeout orders. They also want convenience and frictionless digital experiences. Most prefer to order through the restaurant’s website or mobile app.

Pricing 493

Pricing Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Customer Service 493

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 3, 2025

We were entering the saturated fast-casual burger space and knew we needed to make an impact. First, You need toensure you’re maintaining brand consistency across multiple locations, and that involves streamlining logistics, sourcing, and staff training to keep quality high across your chain.

Social Media 251

Social Media Customer Experience Email Marketing Loyalty Program 251

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 2, 2024

How was the food sourced or produced? On Menu Ingredients We predict the rise of “bougie” ingredients like caviar, lobster and truffle popping up at restaurants at more affordable prices and in more casual settings like fast casuals and QSRs.

2024 493

2024 Fast Casual Insurance Food Safety 493

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 14, 2021

As seen first with many fast casual chains, we expect more differentiated benefits packages to continue to emerge as a way for restaurants to fill much needed open positions. Differentiated benefits packages that include greater flexibility, career paths and training benefits, and enhanced company culture will also be important.

2022 508

2022 Employee Relations Outdoor Fast Casual 508

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 4, 2024

That’s much more money than I ever had to spend on marketing but a drop in the bucket compared to what other fast casual brands spend for much less impactful results. Restaurant operators can think of sustainability in three phases: sourcing, operations, and disposal. Actions like waste reduction are actually cost savers.

Sustainability 490

Sustainability Book Food Supply Waste 490

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Those who traditionally favor casual dining chains with full service may trade down to fast casual while those who typically dine in fast casual may dip into lower price points at fast food. Operators have spent years adapting to the labor crisis. They will also demand (and get) payment upon completion.

2023 419

2023 Loyalty Program Fast Casual Customer Experience 419

ChowNow

MAY 9, 2025

The key is to highlight what makes the dish stand out: the flavors, textures, or locally sourced ingredients that guests will be interested in. Mention sourcing or preparation if it adds value If you use locally sourced produce, specialty imports, or unique preparation methods, mention them, but only if they genuinely add value.

Menu 195

Menu Dietary Restrictions Online Ordering Mobile Ordering 195

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 15, 2020

Limited-service restaurants (those in quick service and fast casual) had a sharp acceleration in their guest check growth, as consumers likely shifted to larger off-premise orders to feed multiple people at home. Fine dining and upscale casual were the worst performing segments during March based on same-store sales growth.

2020 491

2020 Point of Sale Fast Casual Online Ordering 491

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 15, 2020

Pace of recovery for fast casual brands has slowed down considerably, although results continue to be much better than for full-service restaurants. The fast food industry ranked sixth out of the 15 industries studied in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2020 Study , which is the largest study of brands based on emotions.

2020 487

2020 Mobile Ordering Point of Sale Food Supply 487

ChowNow

MARCH 21, 2025

Lifestyle Choices: Do they prefer fast, casual meals or long, social dining experiences? Seasonal & Local Adjustments: If sustainability or local sourcing matters to your diners, promote seasonal specials featuring local ingredients. Values: Are they eco-conscious, looking for sustainable and local ingredients?

Marketing 195

Marketing Social Media Email Marketing Loyalty Program 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 1, 2020

Other businesses have seen a surge of consumer interest, including chicken-wing joints (+84 percent), pizzerias (+71 percent) and fast-food restaurants (+55 percent). dine out more often to fulfill basic needs and gravitate toward drive-thru and take-away options associated with QSR and fast casual. In the U.K.

2020 479

2020 Food Safety Fast Casual Guest Recovery 479

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 5, 2021

Casual Dining velocity has grown by 158 percent over the same period, suggesting many of the Casual Dining business models were able to maintain sales to some degree through pandemic restrictions. In fact, 30 percent of recent casual dining visitors think there is an opportunity to improve the quality of the beverage offer.

2021 490

2021 Coupons Loyalty Program Fast Casual 490

ChowNow

JUNE 6, 2025

A casual neighborhood spot will use different language than a fine-dining restaurant trying to earn a Michelin star. Mention stand-out menu items, maybe it’s your wood-fired pizza, your locally sourced produce, or that house-made aioli your regulars won’t stop talking about.

Social Media 195

Social Media Fine Dining Front of House Customer Experience 195

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 4, 2019

They want a flexible, fast, customized, and “frictionless” dining experience — one without the “drag” of unnecessary steps or interactions. Looking for a low-carb, high-protein dish without trans-fats that is locally sourced? Want a lightning-fast grab-and-go experience?

Fast Casual 307

Fast Casual Customer Experience Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 307

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Since the pandemic, many chefs created fast-casual concepts and we see more and more tasting and prix-fix menus. Cooks will find new sources of inspiration and tips on how to evolve in the industry. It is a great source of inspiration. And finally, chefs will find out what their peers are doing. It resonates with my DNA.

Food 450

Food Book Travel Leadership 450

ChowNow

JUNE 12, 2025

Fast casual might push lower to protect volume margins. Even a small drop in food and beverage supplies pricing can improve your total food cost percentage over time and help you control costs at the source. Most operators aim for a range of 28% to 35% , but your sweet spot depends on your concept and pricing flexibility.

Operations 195

Operations Food Supply Seasonal Menu Pricing 195

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 31, 2025

Fast-casual visits overall were down 3.8 Strong consumer interest in prepared foods, commissary and beverage options has led convenience stores, often referred to as c-stores, to compete much more aggressively with quick service restaurants and fast-food chains. In December, QSR restaurants overall saw visits decline 2.9

Marketing 221

Marketing Loyalty Program 2024 2025 221