ChowNow

MARCH 27, 2025

Menu pricing isnt just about covering costsits about finding that sweet spot where profitability, customer perception, and operational reality meet. Set prices too low, and youre leaving money on the table. Most operators aim for food costs to be around 28-35% of the menu price, though this can change from restaurant to restaurant.

Pricing 195

Pricing Menu Point of Sale Customer Experience 195

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 23, 2025

From labor to supply chain to utility bills, restaurant operators are feeling the pressure. We also work very hard overall to source items in advance and look at buying products that may be affected in bulk. Rising costs are a reality in our industry. At the end of the day, cost control isn’t about major changes.

Food Supply 251

Food Supply Waste Supplies Inventory 251

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Due to many factors including inflation and supply chain challenges, restaurant owners and operators have been faced with tough choice about raising menu prices. As food prices rise, restaurants should try to stay within their target ratio for food cost to gross food revenue in order to maintain target profits.

Pricing 490

Pricing Food Supply Seasonal Menu Menu 490

Goliath Consulting

JUNE 15, 2021

We saw customers stockpiling on groceries and supplies in homes instead of going out to eat, raising retail sales by 29 percent over the previous year (1). According to this McKinsey Report, these “changes in consumer behavior continue to ripple through the US food and agricultural supply chains” even today (1). Inventory Estimates.

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Supplies Food Supply Front of House Fast Casual 414

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Since the labor shortage across the supply chain is likely to persist past the short-term and with other costs also increasing, one of the few ways restaurants can maintain their margins without raising their prices is to find ingredients that have better yields and require less labor to prepare. So how do we get there as an industry?

Food Supply 493

Food Supply Supplies Food Point of Sale 493

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 6, 2020

Q : What Supply Chain Considerations Should I Keep in Mind Moving Forward? A : As states and counties look to reopen across the US, one area restaurant operators are looking toward is their supply chain. Below are a few key takeaways operators should consider as they seek to optimize their supply chains over the next few months.

Supplies 414

Supplies Guest Recovery Food Supply Communication 414

The Rail

OCTOBER 17, 2024

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. The consumer price index for restaurant food costs increased by 7.7% Customers are also a big source of losses.

Food Supply 130

Food Supply Waste Supplies Food 130

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 17, 2025

This is where a buying group brings that advantage, helping source at the best price, quality, and then creating sourcing redundancy when mother nature gets in the way of supply with fresh agricultural products. However, the caveat with size is that it is often accompanied by overhead.

Food Supply 221

Food Supply Back of House Customer Service Small Business 221

Goliath Consulting

JUNE 15, 2020

The supply chain failure and the domino effect of its impact have been a wake-up call for even the veterans of the food industry. Nationwide outbreaks have forced manufacturers to shut down their plants, leading to disruptions in operations downstream in the supply chain (1). Multiple Sourcing and Backup.

Supplies 311

Supplies Food Supply Sourcing Guest Recovery 311

EATER

OCTOBER 21, 2024

Changing temperatures and weather patterns mean ingredients that were once common are now harder to come by , and sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms can often be more expensive. Customers who are attracted to sustainable eating “come find us because of our sourcing,” he adds, but “there’s only so many places we can communicate that.”

Sustainability 326

Sustainability Sourcing Consumer Goods Compost 326

Perfect Daily Grind

MAY 25, 2025

High coffee prices are becoming a lasting reality for the industry. While many assert that this signifies a long overdue change, as coffee has historically been an undervalued commodity, price volatility affects all levels of the supply chain in various ways. For coffee shops, in particular, margins are tighter than ever.

Café 127

Café Pricing Management Management 127

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 18, 2022

The landscape has changed since the pandemic, and as restaurateurs, we need to push the bounds of innovation to develop short and long-term solutions to the things keeping us up at night – staffing and supply chain challenges. Supply Chain and Distribution. Labor – Retaining Quality Staff. Aloha Poke Co.

Fast Casual 493

Fast Casual Supplies Casual Franchise 493

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

Restaurants have faced labor shortages, supply and equipment shortages, and climbing food prices, with no past playbook on how to navigate the crisis. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association, 95% of operators said their restaurant has experienced supply chain delays or shortages in recent months.

2021 474

2021 Food Supply Food Truck Supplies 474

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 21, 2023

Many brands have been experimenting with new technology to help reduce the demand for labor and combat recent price inflation. Improving Communication with Customers With inflation increasing at record levels, it will be critical for QSR brands to easily relate the costs of materials, sourcing, and labor to customers clearly and concisely.

Technology 474

Technology Consumer Goods Supplies Waste 474

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 28, 2021

Labor shortages and other factors are affecting the global supply chain in never-before-seen ways, and certain commodities are intermittently not available, or if they are, they’re expensive. More recent price increases have nearly doubled this number. According to a report from S&P Global Market Intelligence, U.S.

Franchise 492

Franchise Franchising 2022 Fast Casual 492

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 22, 2022

clustered as the next three issues of concern, followed by supply chain issues around food items. Staff retention and supply chain issues around non-food items fell lower on the list. . Is it based on food costs/supply challenges? . What were common menu items where prices were raised? .

Food Supply 473

Food Supply 2023 Fine Dining Fast Casual 473

EATER

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

In the bread aisle, you see two loaves identically wrapped; both are perfectly edible, but one is a day older and costs half the price. This is a business practice called dynamic pricing, and it may be coming soon to a supermarket near you. The price is changing throughout the [time] horizon.” Which do you choose?

Waste 343

Waste Pricing Airlines Food 343

ChowNow

JUNE 12, 2025

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. Every smart pricing move starts here.

Operations 195

Operations Food Supply Seasonal Menu Pricing 195

Perfect Daily Grind

JUNE 24, 2025

Moreover, Nepali coffee has no links to deforestation in its supply chains, aligning with the landmark European Union Deforestation Regulation , which is set to come into effect in December 2025. We also work closely with partners, offering personalised sourcing, flexibility, and full traceability for both small and large businesses.”

Sustainability 196

Sustainability Customer Experience Education 2025 196

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 24, 2024

This overall increase in demand could lead to rising energy prices for consumers and businesses. Fuel costs: The price of electricity is influenced by the cost of the fuels used to generate that electricity, and as demand for these fuels also increases, prices are likely to climb.

Equipment 221

Equipment Pricing Influencer Sustainability 221

EATER

MAY 14, 2025

As a result of their rising popularity, the price of these oceanic creatures has also risen. At places like the Lonely Oyster in Los Angeles, you could pay as much as $6 for a sustainably sourced Blue Pool oyster pulled from the waters of Hama Hama, Washington. If prices started to soar, we would have to revisit that promotion.

Pricing 277

Pricing Equipment Consumer Goods Bar 277

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 30, 2024

As a proud part of the leadership team at Craveworthy Brands, the platform company behind 11 unique restaurant concepts, I lead day-to-day supply chain management, events, distribution, and of course, LTOs. Working with a team, other colleagues in the industry, or vendors can supply significant support at this stage.

Food Supply 493

Food Supply Seasonal Menu Supplies Design 493

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 23, 2022

Restaurants themselves are impacted by many of the same pressures – from rising food costs to freight and labor supply. While many, if not most, restaurants have increased prices in recent months to mitigate some of the input cost pressures, they are typically passing along only a fraction of the actual increases to guests.

Franchise 471

Franchise Franchising Loyalty Program Food Supply 471

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 27, 2023

These factors contribute to a volatile supply chain, influencing everything from ingredient availability to menu pricing strategies. Contemporary menus increasingly feature more plant-based selections and alternative proteins, while also reflecting the demand for locally vetted foods and transparent supply chains.

2024 506

2024 Food Supply Kitchen Safety Influencer 506

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 18, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic led to fluctuations in domestic producer prices, particularly in the food sector , according to the U.S. Combine the rising prices of food with the drive to be more sustainable, and we have reached the point where we need to reduce, reuse, and shop local. Maintain a Healthy Supply Chain.

Sustainability 508

Sustainability Tip Distribution Food Food Supply 508

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 26, 2022

Since we can’t get away from rising prices and supply chain bottlenecks, we can look for new approaches that can help manage the impact. Many restaurants are doing this by raising prices, cutting costs, taking items off the menu, and making do with lean crews. Is aware of where product is sourced / shipped.

Management 457

Management Management Webinar Seasonal Menu 457

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 11, 2022

. “Conducting inventory would take two to three hours per restaurant per week, assuming there weren’t any mistakes,” said Rick Buttner, senior director of supply chain operations at IPC. “Franchisees had to pull pricing from their latest invoices and add up all the dollar figures. It was a painstaking effort.”

Inventory 547

Inventory Management Management Food Supply 547

Perfect Daily Grind

MAY 28, 2025

Coffee prices have soared over the past few years, pushing roasters, independent cafés, and specialty coffee retailers into challenging territory. For roasters and coffee shop owners alike, raising prices is no longer a choice but a necessity. Why are coffee prices staying so high?

Retail 79

Retail Pricing Café Consumer Goods 79

Perfect Daily Grind

JUNE 16, 2025

Green coffee prices have remained high and volatile , and so has the cost of everything else, including packaging, transport, energy, and labour. Green coffee prices have more than doubled over the last year. In 2024, arabica futures increased 70% to their highest levels since 1977, while robusta prices reached all-time highs.

Equipment 134

Equipment Cash Management 2050 Pricing 134

Cheetah

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Supply chain disruptions and shortages like these are hitting every part of the food service industry hard. Learn how this affects your business, from restaurant suppliers struggling to keep up, to rising food prices led by labor shortages and increased consumer demand for quick, cheap food. Energy prices are very high right now too.

Food Supply 148

Food Supply Supplies Pricing Food 148

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 13, 2025

The restaurant industry is known for razor-thin margins and is highly sensitive to shifts in the supply chain, agriculture and broader economic pressures. We’ve had to rethink how we show up in this space, especially as we navigate realities like food-cost inflation—can anyone say egg prices?

Sustainability 251

Sustainability Loyalty Program Leadership Food Supply 251

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Every operator I talk to right now is feeling the pain of supply chain disruptions and high food costs. It is a challenge to track and adjust for the frequent commodity price changes right now, which makes tweaking your menu even more difficult than it would normally be. Tap Into Technology to Make Menu Engineering Easier.

Menu 491

Menu Management Management Waste 491

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 28, 2024

It just goes to show how important drink pricing and cost management are to maximizing profits. Bar profit margin and pour cost Some high-performing bars can reach higher margins by optimizing their costs and pricing strategies. Keep in mind that certain drinks can be priced higher due to their popularity or unique ingredients.

Point of Sale 195

Point of Sale Merchandise Seasonal Menu Bar 195

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 19, 2020

For BevAlc buyers, price point as a function of quality, although always important, will become crucial over the coming months and years. Finding the right balance of what local guests want, at the maximum price point and minimal cost could be the difference between surviving and closing the doors.

Cash Management 572

Cash Management Point of Sale Consumer Goods Small Business 572

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 18, 2024

.” Value-Driven Dining for the Modern Consumer – In a time when consumers seek out both quality and quantity, L&L continues to provide substantial portions at an accessible price point. Value is about more than price—it’s about the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service.

2025 419

2025 Loyalty Program Social Media Fast Casual 419

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Use this time to invest in training, develop relationships with potential clients and referral sources, explore possible acquisitions or new markets, and upgrade outdated technology. Should you consider entering the food truck business? Does your dining room layout need a social distance inspired layout? Plan for Gaps in Your Budget.

Cash Management 576

Cash Management Social Media Seasonal Menu Food Truck 576

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

However, the impact that AI is already having on the food industry is without parallel, helping to lower food prices, increase the availability of certain products or ingredients, and prevent supply chain shortages. Optimized Supply Chains Artificial intelligence can also play a huge role in optimizing the supply chain.

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Food Supply Food Supplies Waste 322