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Steady Online Ordering Brings Food Waste, Donations to the Forefront of Priorities Orderingfood online increases restaurant sales, but it also can potentially increase wasted food if proactive measures aren’t taken – for both the business and consumers at home.
“Through expansive experiences that inspire our guests paired with the ambiance of the space and the food on the plate, we’re setting new standards for the industry and creating truly spectacular moments for all who enter our restaurants and bars.” That’s where the NEXT Flavor Report comes in.
Self-serve kiosks, QR-code menus, and personalized ordering systems will continue to redefine how patrons interact with venues. In 2025, expect to see more restaurants and bars adopting eco-friendly practices, such as reducing food waste, sourcing locally, and using energy-efficient equipment.
The tool from the East Coast vegan chain — a digital take on a split-flap mechanical display that appears on its website and in the chain’s ordering app — estimates the amounts of water, land, CO2, and oil saved by eating vegan burgers. The “ PLNT Impact Tracker ” on PLNT Burger’s website wants you to think about what you’re eating.
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.
A growing number of chefs are shifting their attention to independent operations that focus on foods with wider appeal that need a commitment to excellence. Now, make sure that the vegetables on the sandwich are at their peak and reflective of the season: dont serve raw tomatoes outside of July and August.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY Wonder wants to fix food delivery — so it just acquired Grubhub On November 13, Wonder, the company that describes itself as “a new kind of food hall,” announced its acquisition of the established foodordering and delivery platform Grubhub. How does Wonder make its food?
Instead, we’re leveraging better forecasting, stronger vendor relationships, and a culture of accountability that helps our teams feel empowered and in control of what happens in their kitchens We are managing costs by leveraging technology and staying hyper-focused on four key pillars: forecasting, ordering, prep, and scheduling.
Restaurants are already experimenting with using AI to handle drive through orders to allow human employees to focus on customer interactions in the restaurant. For restaurants, sourcing from these local markets offers a way to support regional producers while differentiating their menus with unique, high-quality ingredients.
A Dilemma of “Super Size” Proportions Amid rising food prices and shifting consumer preferences, the restaurant industry is facing a dilemma of “super size” proportions. Red Robin climbs 3 percent to 78 thanks in large part to its focus on menu and food. Still, the food and service metrics are quite high.
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. In foodservice establishments, the same technology opens doors to greater food safety and ingredient transparency.
We like to say waffles “drip with success” for food service operators, and it's because of four key factors: profitability, versatility, consumer experience and operational efficiency. There are hundreds of ways to serve a waffle across any daypart, with both sweet and savory options. Waffles saw a 15.4
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. Winning restaurant brands today aren’t just selling food; they’re selling a feeling, a community, and a cultural moment.
It’s the foundation of knowing your actual food cost. Knowing the true cost per serving means you’re not guessing where to set menu prices. When done correctly, dish costing helps you control food costs, reduce food waste, and price items in a way that supports your restaurant’s financial health without alienating guests.
Relying on a corporation to provide your favorite food means you have no control over it. The other problem with relying on a corporation for your favorite food is if it were to change, how would you know? The change in order suggests that they have had a change in the net weight between those different products.
When youre updating your online menu or online ordering system, its tempting to just copy over the dish names from your restaurant menu and call it a day. With a few simple techniques, you can write menu descriptions that sounds natural, highlight your best dishes, and help guests feel confident (and excited) about ordering.
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. Is It Worth It?
Everything from food to labor is getting more expensive, which means restaurant margins are tighter than ever. The right marketing strategy helps you get the most out of every dollar by increasing customer retention , boosting order volume, and encouraging repeat visits. Even if your food is incredible, youre not operating in a vacuum.
Wonho Frank Lee Ryan Bailey of Kato in LA says more square footage has actually helped operations A version of this post originally appeared on May 14, 2025, in Eater and Punchs newsletter Pre Shift , a biweekly newsletter for the industry pro that sources first-person accounts from the bar and restaurant world.
A bar is a profitable business option if you’re looking to enter the food industry. Start by tracking all the income your bar generates, including sales from drinks, food, and any additional services. For example, if you serve craft cocktails or premium wine, customers may be willing to pay more because of the perceived value.
Robots like BellaBot now deliver food directly to tables, improving both efficiency and guest experience. These voice-interactive systems can take orders, engage with guests, and serve drinks quickly and consistently ( Chowbus, 2024 ; FastCasual, 2021 ). The impact doesn’t stop in the back-of-house. are shaking up service.
Every successful restaurant has one thing in common: they know exactly who they are serving. Understanding who you serve can help you make strategic decisions that attract the right customers and keep them coming back. Family Status: Are you serving couples, solo diners, or parents with children?
This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features delivery data, tariff troubles, summer dining trends, and Beer Serves America. In recent years, the food service industry has undergone a rapid transformation of automation and increased technology usage.
The goal was to not only to trace current dining expectations and desires fueled by both current economic uncertainties and also the inundation of sources for restaurant recommendations and reviews but also how younger diners might be shaping the industry in the future.
“We are seeing sign-on bonuses at fast food and fast casual locations, something never seen before in the industry. Some operators are willing to have you work today, get paid tomorrow in order to get people in place to handle their minimum requirements. He got creative on how to source employees.
Until recently, Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners was mainly a foodservice consulting company for schools and other large institutions, and we catered food to preschools on the side. Historically, we have trained cafeteria staff to cook food from scratch while also reducing food and labor waste.
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.
Every online order, email sign up, and reward program interaction generates valuable insightsbut if that data just sits there, youre missing a major opportunity. Think about it: What if you could automatically send a special offer to a customer who hasnt ordered in a while? Or adjust your staffing schedule based on peak ordering times?
As diners return to their favorite restaurants, bars, and other eating establishments, restaurateurs are feeling the strain put on the food supply chain. The goal for every food and beverage company is to synchronize supply and demand. To do so, restaurants need to be mindful of these key elements of successful supply chain management.
Restaurants have faced labor shortages, supply and equipment shortages, and climbing food prices, with no past playbook on how to navigate the crisis. Finding enough drivers to haul goods has been a challenge for suppliers, leaving restaurants without the necessary food and supplies they need. Food Shortage. Equipment Shortage.
Therefore, restaurant operators are embracing guest-focused technologies within their restaurants, such as kiosks and mobile devices to serve their guests at a safe distance. Business begins at the endpoint, especially in food service and hospitality. Focus on the Endpoint.
Mechanical systems should be designed to enhance the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the spaces they serve. Additional care should be taken to ensure that the sources of outside air have proper clearances from other building exhaust sources such as grease or toilet exhaust.
Diners simply don’t want the low food quality that often comes with long menus. These restaurant food trends can directly impact a restaurant’s profitability. A short menu can slim down the food costs through streamlined inventory management, as well as reduced food waste. Serving smaller portion sizes.
77% of diners look at a restaurants website before going out to eat or ordering takeout or delivery. If you dont have a website, that means over three-quarters of the people near your restaurantyour potential customerswill never come in or place an order because they have no way to find you when theyre looking for a place to eat.
Early in the pandemic, 72 percent of operators invested in delivery and mobile/online ordering to boost revenue during mandated stay-at-home orders according to TD's 2020 survey, and it appears the popularity of these offerings is here to stay. Investment in delivery and mobile ordering pays off.
If their food cost was way off, they had to go back and find the mistakes. Communications in GoVentory are two-way, with distributors supplying order guides and invoices, and restaurants placing new orders through the app and uploading the inventory to the Subway POS. It was a painstaking effort.”
But it’s not because they want the best option, they are looking for the most authentic food. The Gen Z Influence This tasteful group of about 70 million Americans craves authenticity in every bite, from organic street foods to diverse global cuisines. Gen Z demands transparency and ethical practices in the food industry.
While an IVR might not fool the Turing Test , it does satisfy the basic needs that a customer might have and can be designed to field general questions or even take incoming orders, freeing up your staff to perform other tasks. A common complaint among 66 percent of guests is inconsistent temperatures in their food. Reduce Food Waste.
Improving from 20 percent margin to a 35-percent margin on a $12 dish, serving five0 covers per night translates into a $90 net increase in profits, allowing for increased cash flow to sustain operations. For instance, a spot that usually serves tourists may need to adapt to a more local crowd. Optimize Inventory.
in-restaurant dining and online ordering for pickup or delivery), which can be leveraged to drive highly customized campaigns using a built-in marketing solution. The bites will also be served with the option of twelve different dips, along with regular or sweet potato Tyga Tots, chocolate chip cookies, and beverages.
That's one of takeaways in You Can't Market Manure at Lunchtime: And Other Lessons from the Food Industry for Creating a More Sustainable Company by Maisie Ganzler, chief strategy and brand officer of Bon Appétit Management Company. I figured if I was curious, readers would be too.
As a result, consumers learned to become less dependent on outside sources for meals and became accustomed to cooking at home more often than ever before. This data identifies how customers selected their food, existing frustrations or excitement around mealtime, and the frequency of habits like snacking on a weekly, daily, or hourly level.
Over the next decade, a generation passionate about health and wellness will demand restaurants be transparent about food from farm to table. 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.
Research from the University of Arizona shows that fast-food restaurants waste 9.55 Considering that the cost of food is the second-largest expense in the restaurant industry, these numbers translate to hundreds of dollars in wasted revenue each day. If you are buying more food than you should, it's time to change the tactics.
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