March, 2025

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Pandemic Reflections: What Lessons Has the Restaurant Industry Learned?, Part One

Modern Restaurant Management

"The pandemic forced the restaurant industry to reinvent itself overnight, moving from a primarily in-store dining experience to an omnichannel, digital-first business. These changes have become permanent shifts in how they target customers, market themselves, and design their offerings." As we mark the fifth anniversary, MRM magazine surveyed restaurant insiders about the pandemic’s lasting impact on their businesses and the industry.

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KITCHEN LIFE & CAREER

Culinary Cues

So much to learn, so little time. Where do you begin, whats the best way to learn? What should you do, where should you turn? If you are serious about a kitchen career and have the focus to map out the best path, then listen up. Every cook, at least every serious cook, seems to want to work in one of those exceptional fine dining or cutting-edge experimental operations that are depicted in shows like Chefs Table or The Bear.

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Five Years After COVID, the Restaurant Labor Market Has Yet to Recover

EATER

Kriston Jae Bethel/Bloomberg via Getty Images The COVID pandemic accelerated a labor shortage in the industry. Now, restaurant owners and chefs across the country say theyre still struggling to recruit and retain talent. In the spring of 2021, restaurants across the country were scrambling to find staff. After a calamitous year of intermittent closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many local governments were beginning to loosen indoor dining restrictions.

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All Food Delivery Apps in One Place: Why Restaurants Need a Centralized Solution

ChowNow

Managing delivery orders shouldnt feel like running an obstacle course, but for many restaurant operators, thats exactly what it is. Juggling multiple food delivery apps means switching between tablets, manually entering orders into the POS, and trying to keep track of ever-changing fees and commissions. Its a recipe for chaos, leading to mistakes, slower service, and shrinking profit margins.

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10 HR Metrics for 2025: HR Data Toolkit

The right HR metrics can illuminate hidden trends, justify decisions to the C-suite, and give you an edge in this unpredictable economy. Download Paycor’s guide and learn how to calculate your: Cost-per-Hire Total Financial Impact of Absences Voluntary Turnover Rate And more!

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How Ozempic Is Changing the Way Guests Dine Out

Goliath Consulting

Ozempic, a medication originally developed for managing Type 2 diabetes, has rapidly gained traction as a weight loss aid. By mimicking the hormone GLP-1, it helps regulate appetite and digestion, leading to noticeable changes in the way people eat. As more diners use Ozempic and similar medications, restaurants may need to adapt to evolving guest preferences and dining habits.

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Functional Beverages Gaining Popularity in Restaurants

Restaurant Business

Todays consumers are very knowledgeable about ingredients, and theyre looking to beverages to conveniently manage their health. Spins sales data found that 39% of beverage sales are dedicated to products that promote health and wellness. We see a surge in the functional beverage space thats blurring the boundaries for all beverage formats creating opportunities for innovation.

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The Cultural Advantage: How International Staff Can Enrich Your Restaurant's Atmosphere

The Rail

By Toby Patrick, Contributor Opening a restaurant goes beyond a nice aesthetic, good location, and great food. In today's competitive market, you also need to be authentic with your atmosphere and giving a culturally enriching experience. Hiring international staff can help you achieve that authentic atmosphere and experience youre looking to give guests.

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The Pandemic Pivots That Stuck

EATER

Five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our relationship to food and dining has undergone some permanent changes I got COVID for the first time this past February. I was lucky to have a job I didnt need to be physically present for, no children that needed care, no underlying health conditions, a booster shot, and ample, union-bargained sick leave.

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Local SEO For Restaurants—How To Rank Higher And Attract More Customers

ChowNow

When people are hungry, they turn to Google. Its the number one way customers discover new restaurants and if your business isnt showing up in the search results, youre losing diners to competitors who are. Local restaurant SEO is the best way to attract new customers, and its easier than you thinkyou dont need to be a technical expert to start seeing real results.

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The Value of Joining Your State Restaurant Association

Goliath Consulting

For restaurant owners and operators, success depends on more than just great food and excellent serviceit requires staying informed, connected, and supported. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by joining your state restaurant association. These organizations offer a range of benefits that can enhance your business, save you money, and provide critical advocacy for the industry.

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Navigating Payroll Compliance: Future-Proofing Payroll in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

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How to Build a Restaurant Referral Program

The Eat Restaurant

A restaurant referral program is essential for client acquisition, as 61% of diners trust recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers. It encourages customers to share their experiences and rewards them for bringing in new guests. Personal recommendations are more effective than influencers or review platforms, which only 22% and 15% of diners trust, respectively.

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Lessons from the Pandemic: What Restaurants Need to Know Now

Modern Restaurant Management

Five years have passed since the pandemic upended the restaurant industry, and its effects continue to shape consumer behavior. Are people dining out more or less? What’s driving their choices? How can restaurants stay ahead? Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) explored these questions in its latest consumer report, Adapting to Change: How Restaurant Trends Have Evolved.

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SpotOn 2025 Restaurant Business Report Outlines the Financial Gaps and Opportunities for Growth in Restaurants

SpotOn

San Francisco , March 3, 2025 — SpotOn , a leading software and payments partner for restaurants and small businesses, today unveiled its 2025 Restaurant Business Report , revealing the financial challenges restaurant operators face and the opportunities to strengthen their businesses. While economic pressures persist, the report highlights that with the right tools and insights, operators can take control of their financial future in 2025 to strengthen profitability and position their bu

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Making Corned Beef at Home Is Easier Than You Think

EATER

Elena Veselova /Shutterstock My five-day journey of brining and braising the St. Patricks Day staple yielded delicious results I dont know why I find making corned beef from scratch so intimidating. Perhaps its the fact that the project requires almost a week which means a lot of time for things to go wrong. Maybe its because it involves raw meat sitting around for an extended period of time.

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The Funding Recipe for Your Restaurant – A Guide To Growing Your Business

Fuel your restaurant’s success with our comprehensive 2025 funding guide! Running a restaurant comes with unique financial challenges, from managing seasonal fluctuations to covering unexpected expenses like equipment repairs or ingredient shortages. This guide dives into fast, flexible financing options for restaurant owners. Discover how to bridge cash flow gaps, fund expansions, or navigate slow seasons without compromising service quality.

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How To Use Restaurant Customer Data To Improve Your Business And Grow Sales

ChowNow

Restaurants collect a ton of customer data. 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?

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2025 Restaurant Food Trends: What’s On the Menu for the Future?

Squirrel Systems

As we look ahead to 2025, the restaurant industry is poised for significant transformations driven by consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on sustainability. Whether you’re an operator, chef, or food enthusiast, understanding these emerging trends is crucial. Here’s an overview of what’s shaping the future of dining: Plant-Based Innovations Plant-based dining has evolved from a niche market to a mainstream movement.

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How POS Data Tracks Seasonal Sales Trends

Lavu

POS systems do more than handle payments they utilize POS data to help restaurants analyze and manage seasonal sales trends. By leveraging POS data, restaurants can adjust inventory, staffing, and marketing strategies to maximize profits during busy periods and minimize waste during slow seasons. Heres how POS data can help: Analyze Past Trends : Use historical data to spot patterns and forecast seasonal demand.

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86 Your Brand Issues: How to Build Cohesive, Memorable Brands that Resonate with Guests

Modern Restaurant Management

Building an unforgettable restaurant brand requires consistent, strategic messaging that captivates and connects with guests. For a deeper dive into brand messaging, strategy, and authenticity, creating unified guest experiences, and the orchestration of physical and experiential touchpoints, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to The Plaid Penguin’s Founder and Sir Idea Man Joe Haubenhofer.

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5 Ways You Can Win Faster with Gen AI in Sales

Incorporating generative AI (gen AI) into your sales process can speed up your wins through improved efficiency, personalized customer interactions, and better informed decision- making. Gen AI is a game changer for busy salespeople and can reduce time-consuming tasks, such as customer research, note-taking, and writing emails, and provide insightful data analysis and recommendations.

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Recruiting and Retaining Restaurant Staff for Growth: Insights from Kura Sushi’s Strategy

Black Box Intelligence

Recruiting and Retaining Restaurant Staff for Growth Insights from Kura Sushis Strategy Hiring and keeping great employees is a major challenge for restaurants today. With so many job options out there, how do you find the right people? And more importantly, how do you get them to stay? Kura Sushi , a fast-growing sushi restaurant chain, has found a way to make it work.

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Hot Dog Tower and Yap?

EATER

At Trinas Starlite Lounge, the hot dog tower comes with five hot dogs, fries, and sauce | Trinas Starlite Lounge In this economy, the pricey seafood tower has given way to way to the hot dog tower For Trinas Starlite Lounge , the longstanding bar in Somerville, Massachusetts, 2024 was financially pretty rough. And then the election happened. We felt a little stuck, says co-owner Emma Hollander.

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Restaurant Operations Management: A Guide for Restaurant Owners

ChowNow

Running a restaurant is a balancing act. 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. Its tough, and cant be done passively. Without a strong system in place, even the best restaurants in the world will struggle with unhappy customers, high turnover rates, wasted inventory, and razor-thin profit margins.

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Discover Crunchtime's New Mobile App for Inventory Management

Crunchtime

Our new mobile app makes inventory management more efficient than ever. In the day-to-day rush of running a restaurant, your team leads shouldn't be confined to a computer screen in the back officeit's imperative to stay agile, whether you're in the front or back of house. That's why mobile solutions like Crunchtime's new Inventory App are imperative for restaurant operators on the path to growth.

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2025 Payroll Calendar Templates (Biweekly, Semi-Monthly, and Monthly)

Use these handy calendar templates to stay on top of payroll in 2025! Download them today to share with your HR team or post for employees. Whether your company has biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly pay periods, Paycor has you covered. Get your templates today!

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How to Get Free Payroll for Local Restaurants

Lavu

Is your local restaurant overpaying for payroll? Get Free Payroll for Restaurants and simplify payroll management effortlessly. Handling fluctuating hours, tip tracking, and compliance can be complex, but Lavu Payroll offers a cost-effective solution. Reduce errors, save money, and streamline operations with our easy-to-use payroll system designed for restaurants.

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Pandemic Reflections: What Lessons Has the Restaurant Industry Learned?, Part Three

Modern Restaurant Management

"As awful as it was, the pandemic pushed restaurants to completely rethink their operations in order to survive, and some of the changes they made during the pandemic have continued to be beneficial to those restaurants and industry at large." As we mark the fifth anniversary, MRM magazine surveyed restaurant insiders about the pandemic’s lasting impact on their businesses and the industry.

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The Importance of a Strong Brand Identity in the Restaurant Business

The Restaurant Group

Introduction Hey there! Let’s talk about something that can make or break your restaurant: restaurant branding. Imagine walking into a place that just feels right the logo, colors, menu, and even the way the staff greets you. Thats the power of branding! So, what exactly is restaurant branding ? It’s how your restaurant presents itselfits logo design, menu design, interior design, and overall guest experience.

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What Does Lent Have to Do With Crispy Fish Sandwiches?

EATER

Seafood season offerings from Wendys McDonalds and Popeyes. Why fast-food restaurants observe seafood season and not other religious holidays According to Wendys, its seafood season. That means the chains limited-time-only Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich is widely available from now until April 20. Wendys can hedge, but you might have figured out that since its final day on the menu is Easter Sunday, this is a sandwich designed to cater to those celebrating Lent, a Christian observance mostly but

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

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6 Tips To Increase Order Volume For Your Restaurant Website

ChowNow

If you want to increase order volume for your restaurant, focusing on online takeout and delivery is key. Since 2014, these channels have grown 300% faster than dine-inand the trend isnt slowing down. Operators who ignore this opportunity risk losing significant revenue to their competitors while missing out on the chance to build a stronger connection with their customers.

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How Smart Communication Tools Enhance Restaurant Operations

Harbor Touch

If you manage a restaurant or sling plates as a server, youve probably noticed tech creeping into every corner of the industry. The Internet of Things (IoT) isnt just a buzzword; its changing how restaurants run, from keeping customers happy to making life easier for you and your team. Imagine a world where orders flow smoothly, inventory tracks itself, and guests feel like VIPs every time they walk in.

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What Is PCI Compliance for Restaurants?

Lavu

PCI Compliance for Restaurants is essential to protecting customer payment data and preventing costly breaches. With 70% of transactions made via cards, restaurants are prime targets for cyberattacks. Failure to comply with PCI standards can result in fines of up to $100,000 per month, legal complications, and a significant loss of customer trust. Implementing robust security measures ensures compliance and safeguards both business operations and customer data.

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Navigating Tipping Fatigue

Modern Restaurant Management

Picture this: You’re at self-checkout where you just scanned, bagged and paid for your own groceries when the screen asks, “Would you like to leave a tip?” Wait… for who? If that scenario feels all too familiar, you're not alone. Tipping expectations have skyrocketed, and consumers are pushing back. According to a recent Bankrate survey , nearly one in three Americans think tipping has gone too far.

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HR’s Blueprint for a Successful 2025

The HR industry is changing. Did you know… 1. There will be 4M more jobs than workers by 2033 ( BLS ). 2. For 84% of workers, flexibility is a top priority ( FlexJobs ). 3. 75% of employees have used AI at work ( CFO.com ). It’s time to meet the moment! Use Paycor’s guide to design a blueprint for success.