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
Hiring for soft skills becomes much simpler when you know exactly what to ask and look for in interviews. In this article, I’ll share those tips so you can hire people who will excel in the role and not only fill it. She felt confident enough to order and appreciated my effort to address her needs.”
Think about your last round of hiring. The workforce has changed; the game has changed, and it's affecting your ability to effectively hire for your restaurant. Now, they're on their phones before they arrive, checking your reviews, looking at food photos, and getting recommendations based on their past orders.
Fast food and food delivery gradually began changing that equation. 2024 was a year of experimentation with AI, with restaurants testing it on customer-facing interactions, like AI drive-thru ordering, with varying degrees of success. The restaurant experience was once solely comprised of human-to-human, in-person experiences.
Todays diners scroll before they order, and your restaurants social media presence can make or break their decision to visit. The wrong hire can lead to off-brand posts, low engagement, and wasted effort. Look for creators who already engage with your local food scene. Thats where a skilled content creator comes in.
Hiring the right wait staff is one of the most critical decisions for any restaurant owner. How do you handle multiple tables and orders at once? What steps would you take if a customer received the wrong order? How do you maintain accuracy when taking orders for large groups? How did you resolve it? What did you do?
Tap a few buttons, and your order is sent to the kitchen, where robots are preparing dishes with precision, ensuring perfect consistency every time. Throughout the meal, robot servers deliver your food and clear the table when you're done. Why hirefood runners when Servi can handle the job without missing a beat?
Online ordering has transformed the restaurant industry, turning what was once a convenience into an absolute necessity. In 2025, the US online food delivery market is expected to reach $424.9 Customers expect to browse menus, place orders, and pay for their meals with just a few taps of their phones. billion in revenue.
From smarter ordering systems to food that travels better, here’s what pizzeria owners can expect in the year ahead. On the customer side, AI is beginning to play a more significant role in online ordering. This not only frees up labor but also reduces order errors.
Acqui-hire “To acquire a company in order to use its employees skills or knowledge, rather than for its products or services.” Starbucks’ deal with Empower Delivery fits the acqui-hire framework. The coffee giant is licensing the company’s order fulfillment tech while also bringing aboard Empower’s six engineers.
But beyond building relationships, social media is also one of the fastest, lowest-effort ways to drive direct online orders. With just a few taps, followers can go from “hey, that looks really good” to placing an order, and you don’t need to rely on third-party apps to make it happen. If it’s not obvious, it’s as good as invisible.
To rebound, I recommend hiring a trusted marketing professional or team that understands your vision and can execute strategies that help your restaurant thrive. People are looking for authenticity and transparency, so highlighting where your ingredients come from or how food is made can go a long way.
Adaptability became non-negotiable as takeout, delivery, and digital ordering shifted from secondary revenue streams to essential lifelines." Self-ordering kiosks, QR codes, mobile apps and loyalty reward cards have created more personalized experiences, which increase the likelihood customers will return.
For example, implementing procedures to monitor inventory closely can prevent overstocking or food spoilage, while clear cleaning and maintenance schedules ensure the proper use and consumption of supplies. Designate experienced staff to mentor new hires, handle onboarding, or run training sessions.
Complaints are inevitable in the food industry, but did you know that most people would rather leave a negative comment online than talk in person? The next step would be to politely cut off further alcohol service, like suggesting food or non-alcoholic drinks. Look for resourceful candidates to keep your bar operating smoothly.
Staff productivity plays the largest role in restaurant revenue, which is why it’s so important to invest in your recruiting and hiring strategies, finding like-minded individuals to move your restaurant forward while minimizing time waste. During this interview, some light was shed onto an often-overlooked time sink, management.
From onboarding new hires to upskilling existing staff, a comprehensive training program can improve customer service, boost efficiency, and foster a positive work culture. Back-of-house (BOH) staff, including chefs and kitchen assistants, will focus more on food safety, food handling, and kitchen equipment use.
"These tariffs could deeply affect the food service and hospitality industries on both sides of the border," Alex Thalassinos, President of Silverware POS, one of the first tech providers dedicated to Canada’s hospitality industry, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine. AI is also boosting staff productivity.
Hiring the right people can make or break your business. After all, it’s not just the quality of your food that can keep customers coming back — 73% of diners base their satisfaction on the quality of service they receive. What interview questions do you ask when hiring new restaurant employees?
Do orders get lost in the shuffle between different platforms? If managing food delivery feels more like a headache than a revenue stream, youre not alone. With 52% of consumers saying that ordering out is essential to their lifestyle, every restaurant that wants to stay competitive must offer delivery.
In the fast-paced world of food service, communication is everything. From taking orders to coordinating back-of-house operations, every moment counts. This creates a smoother transition for new hires and reduces frustration for team members. Timing and teamwork are everything in restaurants.
Each system has its own tablet, order flow, and set of requirements, making it difficult to keep up with operations smoothly. Each platformUber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDashrequires its own tablet, login, and order management system. Order management issues. Consumers report that 24.4% Staff training and inconsistent efficiency.
Providing good food is just the beginning. Service is about accuracy and efficiencytaking an order, delivering food, clearing a table. Hiring for personality, providing empathy-based training, and empowering staff to go the extra mile all contribute to a strong hospitality culture.
Every day, youre juggling staff, food quality, inventory, customer service, purchasing, and moreall while trying to cultivate a dining experience that wows your customers enough to keep them coming back. Customer Service and Experience Great food and drink is only truly enjoyed when its coupled with a great service experience.
A well-crafted email can remind a past guest to stop by again, encourage reservations for a new seasonal menu, or even boost online orders with a limited-time discount. A well-timed email with a special offer, new menu item, or exclusive promotion can be the nudge they need to place another order.
Have you noticed how food delivery apps are becoming essential in attracting and retaining diners? In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to create a food delivery app tailored to your restaurant’s needs, while staying competitive in a booming industry. The global online food delivery market size was valued at USD 221.65
Nowadays, running a successful restaurant takes more than great food and good service. Another way to get local backlinks is from local news articles, food bloggers, or restaurant directories to boost your visibility in search results. Make sure to add high-quality photos of your food, interior, and staff.
Hiring Help Without a Budget : As my client base grew, I needed support but couldn’t afford full-time staff. Restaurants and bars had to quickly pivot, letting guests know how to order online, if dine-in was available, or what safety protocols were in place. Online ordering, catering, and off-site events are key opportunities.
An online ordering system is table stakes for every restaurant these days. But if you're still on the fence about implementing online foodordering software at your establishment, take a look at some of the latest stats from the National Restaurant's Association's 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry Report.
per share for the online ordering and payment company just four years after Olo went public. per share for the online ordering and payment company just four years after Olo went public. Its core product is online ordering, but it has expanded into marketing and customer engagement as well as payment processing.
Youre not just managing food and staff, youre battling slim profit margins, high operating expenses, and constantly changing customer preferences. Because the truth is, most restaurants dont close because of bad food. Before you do anything like sign a lease or hire your wait staff, take the time to do real market research.
“We are making sure that we keep our food, aesthetic and brand all aligned and consistent,” Murray said. “Now, you will be able to come inside of any of our four locations and get your food fresh to order with great flavor, amazing taste and superior customer service.” Where do you look for inspiration?
One of operators most difficult challenges is balancing restaurant operating costs without compromising the food, service, and customer experience that makes your restaurant unique. If youre pushing out more orders, getting more ingredients, and staffing more servers, these costs will reflect that.
From smarter hiring to prepping for busy seasons, were sharing strategies that work across small bistros and bustling chains alike. Hire the Right People and Train Them Well Finding top talent is like casting a winning team. One pro we know tested a cook with a plate this order challenge under a timer. Staff Management 1.
Train food, Ive come to learn, is its own distinct and expansive category. I often bring my own food on long train rides: okra stew and crab rice, or perhaps my dads spaghetti and meatballs, as well as fruits and cakes, all packed in my trusted backpack cooler, along with an electric travel Crock-Pot that has saved me on many Amtrak trips.
By Toby Patrick, Contributor Opening a restaurant goes beyond a nice aesthetic, good location, and great food. Hiring international staff can help you achieve that authentic atmosphere and experience youre looking to give guests. Cultural Diversity Hiring a diverse staff can bring a range of cultural backgrounds to your restaurant.
Start with the basics: food cost, labor percentage, ticket times, and guest retention, not in spreadsheets or back-office meetings, but on the floor and in the flow of the shift. When a lunch ticket gets voided because the kitchen missed the allergy note, explain what that mistake costs in food waste, comped revenue, and lost trust.
And fast-food customers Chef Jonathon Sawyer discusses his Chicago restaurant, Kindling, and his latest TV appearance Are we reaching peak chicken tender saturation on menus? It’s easy to score what’s marketed as a Dubai Chocolate Bar at specialty retail food stores; in New York City a 7-ounce bar sells for about $19. Sign up here.
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. In 2025, staying ahead means more than great food—it means leveraging the right tech to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate the guest experience.
The Atlanta-based company is hoping that more modern food and restaurants will help its brands break through with younger consumers. Last June, the 260-unit chain dropped “Restaurant and Bakery” in favor of the more streamlined Perkins American Food Co. And there will be more technology, including self-service ordering kiosks.
In the fast-paced world of food service, every second counts. Modern point-of-sale systems go beyond order processing—they streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks, and improve table turnover. Here are five key features that can help: Mobile Ordering : Speeds up order placement by letting customers order via their smartphones.
Whether you’re serving corporate lunches or private events, building a successful restaurant catering business requires more than just great food — it takes planning, streamlined operations, and the right technology. People already love your food, so why not capitalize on it and offer catering services as well? What’s next?
" They're somewhere between a full-service casual dining restaurant and a quick-service restaurant or fast food chain. Fast casual restaurants offer customers a dining option between fast food and full-service restaurants. Practically, this means higher quality food with the same speed and efficiency as fast food chains.
The first three hires were software engineers that helped create a proprietary tech stack for the bagel shops. “In It’s a point-of-sale system that allows the team to pack orders, and it’s integrated with third-party delivery partners. In 2023, we were the most sophisticated two-store bagel shop,” Jeff joked.
Whether you’re connecting loyalty programs, online ordering, or inventory tools, open APIs make it possible to tailor your POS to match your exact operational needs. Customers can order online as a guest or create a profile, then order the food through their preferred delivery platform, pay, and anticipate delivery.
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