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But it goes beyond figuring out how to source the freshest ingredients at the best price. Meanwhile, extreme weather events are likely to disrupt transportation routes, damage crops, and lead to shortages of key ingredients, resulting in price spikes that impact menus. Think of it as an adaptable tool. One way to stay agile?
How rising import taxes may reshape menus, pricing, and sourcing in the restaurant industry. The restaurant experience isnt just about great service and ambianceits deeply tied to ingredient sourcing and food costs. Supplier and Menu Shifts Some restaurants may respond by sourcing more ingredients domestically.
If you’re a restaurant operator trying to drive more online orders, build loyalty, or simply get noticed, an active Facebook Page can help you show up where your customers already spend time. The key is knowing how to set it up and what to post to turn views into orders.
While there was a brief dip in consumer awareness of menu price increases in late 2024, the spring of 2025 has seen a moderate rise, affecting dining habits and consumer perceptions of value. “With rising prices tied to eggs and imported goods, restaurants will need to think creatively about their menus,” Fink said.
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. Out of season do something interesting with tomatoes (oven roasted, marinated, sun-dried tomato paste, etc.) Make the tomato an experience. There is pizza and there is pizza.
Your menu plays a vital role in your business marketing. So, let's dive deeper into the steps on how to turn your menu into a marketing tool. Optimize Menu Design for Customer Behavior A menu is often one of the first things a guest interacts with when entering a restaurant, right after taking in the atmosphere and interior.
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 salted egg yolks and chili crunch fusions to mushroom-infused teas and freeze-dried fruit powder garnishes, Kimpton’s in-house experts share the standout ingredients, menu items and techniques that will come to the table in 2025. Most & Least Expensive Orders (spoiler alert: not what you would expect!)
With 73% of the US population active on social media, it’s one of the easiest ways to reach new customers, show off your food, and drive more direct orders—especially among younger generations who discover new restaurants by scrolling their feeds, not searching Google Maps. Here’s what makes it so effective.
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?
Restaurant operators searching for something versatile that will cross the dayparts need to look no further than their breakfast menu as waffles have been breaking out of the morning. Profitability: Waffles are a low-cost, center-of-the-plate item and one of the most profitable breakfast item menu offerings. Waffles saw a 15.4
Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Without a well-defined target market, restaurants risk wasting resources on strategies that dont connect and menu offerings that dont selltrying to appeal to everyone, but standing out to no one.
And no, increasing restaurant sales doesn’t mean turning your restaurant staff into pushy upsellers trying to squeeze a few extra dollars out of every order. Create Limited-Time Offers That Drive Action Limited-time offers (LTOs) give potential customers a reason to order now, not later.
Reevaluating the prices of your drinks and knowing the types of drinks you sell can help you earn more for each bottle, as well as implementing portion control and even redesigning your menu. Calculate the cost of each drink on your menu, including the cost of the alcohol, garnishes, mixers, and anything else that goes into the drink.
To battle this issue, AI systems forecast customer demand by analyzing historical sales data and seasonal trends. This enables restaurants to adjust orders, create specials, and repurpose ingredients before they spoil. Example : Loman AI is developing a tool aimed at enhancing menu engineering for restaurants.
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.
. #30 – Hog Heaven BBQ Source: Hog Heaven BBQ Hog Heaven BBQ in Laurel is a local go-to for classic Southern-style barbecue, served from a small spot on Ellisville Boulevard. They stick to time-tested methods using hardwood smoke and simple seasoning to bring out deep flavors in each plate.
30 – Cotton BBQ Source: Cotton BBQ Cotton BBQ in Bowling Green is known for its Texas-style barbecue cooked fresh daily over a wood-fired pit. Since opening in 2019, it has gained a strong local following thanks to its tender brisket and pulled pork, both seasoned well and served in generous portions.
Are your regulars ordering the same drink and entree every time they come in? Pick your event idea by looking at your: Venue size and layout Customer demographic Available resources Time of year (season) Community Write out each of these factors, and a picture will emerge of which restaurant event idea will best fit your location.
Have you ever walked into a restaurant, excited for a great meal, but the server can’t answer your questions about the menu? Without the right training, even the best menu or ambiance can fall short due to poor service, leading to dissatisfied customers and lost revenue. How long should restaurant staff training be?
Knowing the true cost per serving means you’re not guessing where to set menu prices. Tracking prices and monitoring your invoices regularly will help you spot seasonal changes or supplier increases. These costs may only add a few cents per order, but at scale, they seriously impact your overall cost and profitability.
30 – Cowlicks Source: Cowlicks Cowlicks is a Texas-style barbecue pop-up based in New Orleans, usually set up at The Crown and Anchor English Pub. 29 – JAC’s Craft Smokehouse Source: JAC’s Craft Smokehouse JAC’s Craft Smokehouse in West Monroe is known for smoked meats that are full of flavor and cooked until tender.
30 – The Bone BBQ Source: The Bone BBQ The Bone BBQ is a locally owned barbecue spot with locations in Gainesville and Old Town Manassas, Virginia. The menu includes pulled pork with Carolina-style sauce, dry-rubbed brisket, turkey, pulled chicken, ribs, and house-made sausage.
30 – Blackburn’s BBQ Source: Blackburn’s BBQ Blackburn’s BBQ in Eagle Lake has become a local favorite since opening in 2017, first as a food truck before moving into a full restaurant. 28 – Smokin’ D’s BBQ Source: Smokin’ D’s BBQ Smokin’ D’s BBQ in St. Keep reading to see which BBQ places made the cut. #30
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you’ll find plenty of places serving slow-cooked favorites with rich flavor and bold seasoning. 30 – Arizona BBQ Shack Source: Arizona BBQ Shack Arizona BBQ Shack in Scottsdale has been serving Southwest-style barbecue since 2016 under new ownership.
. #30 – Jomax BBQ Source: Jomax BBQ Jomax BBQ in Metter is known for its no-frills, wood-smoked barbecue served in a rustic, cabin-style setting. Ribs are also a popular choice, praised for their tenderness and steady seasoning. The menu is straightforward, focused mainly on pork, ribs, and a few Southern sides.
percent menu-price inflation rate. With households increasingly treating dining out as a luxury, every menu item and service interaction becomes a potential make-or-break moment. Red Robin climbs 3 percent to 78 thanks in large part to its focus on menu and food. At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1
2 Fresh and Local Ingredients Elevate the Menu Using fresh, locally grown foods freshens the menu and demonstrates quality consciousness. Seasonal cuisine lets guests look forward to something all year long. Local sourcing keeps food fresher by cutting travel time and helping surrounding farmers.
30 – Big Ant’s BBQ Source: Big Ant’s BBQ Big Ant’s BBQ in Glassell Park, Los Angeles, has built a strong following since opening in 2019. The menu covers a wide range of barbecue staples, and the portions are generous for the price. Keep reading to find out who made the cut. #30
Restaurant operations management is the art and science of keeping a restaurant running smoothly, creating order in a naturally chaotic environment. Successful restaurant operators use data-driven ordering, reliable supplier relationships, and waste-reduction strategies to keep inventory lean without sacrificing quality.
Today, we will explore the advantages of organic products and Paleo pantry essentials to show you how to source these ingredients to foster a greener dining experience. According to reports , more than 50% of diners claim to choose a restaurant that offers sustainably sourced food. Let’s explore some of them.
30 – Kendall’s BBQ Source: Kendall’s BBQ Kendall’s BBQ in Georgiana, Alabama is a roadside stop known for its wood-smoked meats and laid-back setup. Located off Interstate 65, it serves from a walk-up window in a gas station parking lot, offering a menu packed with barbecue staples and Southern favorites.
It can help you fix discrepancies in ordering and inventory management , minimizing food shrink. The Problem with Restaurants’ Supply Chain Food Waste You’ve probably felt forced to raise menu prices to offset losses incurred by wholesale prices rising and fewer people eating out. What else can it do for you?
While each place has its own way of doing things, they all share a focus on slow cooking, seasoned pits, and a strong sense of community. 29 – Ol’ Bart’s Southern Eats Source: Ol’ Bart’s Southern Eats Ol Bart’s Southern Eats has built a loyal following in Arkansas with its mix of Texas-style smoking and Memphis barbecue roots.
Add high-quality photos and videos regularly, posting as soon as new dishes are added to your menu. Keep your hours updated as well, especially if you have special holiday hours or seasonal changes. Another great way to partner with local businesses is by featuring their products on your menu or in your restaurant marketing.
Having managed a restaurant with an extremely popular patio and brunch menu, I know this firsthand. Put planters or large pots with seasonal flowers on your patio. It's a portable POS device that fits in an apron and lets servers take orders and payments at the table. No more back and forth from tables to the POS.
This reflects the positive impact loyalty programs have on driving revenue, with 83 percent of restaurant leaders saying their loyalty program successfully drives up order or basket size, as well as repeat visits (82 percent) and return on investment (78 percent). ” A Year of Challenges U.S.
This has led to many perks for consumers, such as reduced wait times, contactless ordering, and more personalized offers and rewards. The market is influenced by evolving consumer lifestyles, the growth of digital ordering, and consumer demand for convenient and affordable dining. percent from 2025 to 2033 and reach US$ 345.6
Multilingual Menus for Restaurants are transforming the dining experience by breaking language barriers and enhancing customer satisfaction. These menus not only improve accessibility for a diverse range of customers but also streamline restaurant operations by simplifying menu management and order processing.
Proper cost tracking helps you set profitable menu prices, cut expenses, and manage inventory efficiently. Steps to calculate costs : Determine unit costs, account for waste, and break down menu item costs. Improve profits : Analyze cost data to refine menu design, negotiate better supplier deals, and reduce waste. Sauce : $0.32
Foot traffic or heat mapping, menu item engagement, or consumer demographics by time of day. Restaurants are already experimenting with using AI to handle drive through orders to allow human employees to focus on customer interactions in the restaurant.
No longer just a payment processing tool, your POS system can handle everything from order taking and payments to inventory tracking and customer data management. Increasing Order Accuracy and Speed Through POS Integration As a restaurant operator, you know that accuracy in order taking is essential to delivering great customer service.
Forecast Demand : Use sales data to predict future needs and order the right quantities. Automate Orders : Automatically reorder items when stock runs low, minimizing waste and emergency purchases. Integrate with POS Systems : Sync with sales data to refine menu choices and track high-waste items.
Key benefits: Track customer behavior (order frequency, visit times). Analyze menu performance (best/worst sellers, seasonal trends). Modern POS systems capture a wealth of customer details – like purchase history, peak visit times, and menu preferences – that can reshape your marketing efforts when used effectively.
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