Tag Archives: restaurants

Top close up view. Woman is paying for meal by wireless payment in the cafe restaurant.

The Complexity of Tipping: How Mandatory Service Fees Are Changing Dining

Guest Experience News,

The majority of restaurant owners and guests agree that servers should earn a livable wage. Traditionally, this has been achieved through a combination of a modest hourly rate supplemented by gratuities. Recently, particularly in areas frequented by tourists, mandatory service fees have been imposed to make earnings more predictable. Once reserved for large parties, these fees are now increasingly applied even to small tables. While mandatory service fees aim to create more stable wages for work...

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Chef cleaning kitchen counter after cooking in restaurant.

Restaurant Industry Still an ‘Economic Powerhouse,’ Despite Struggles

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Despite a more hesitant customer base and hiring challenges, the restaurant and food service industries could exceed $1 trillion in sales and add more than 100,000 jobs in 2026, says a new report from the National Restaurant Association. The projections suggest an industry regaining some footing after a year marked by softer traffic and profitability strain. While operators express cautious optimism about sales growth, many remain focused on controlling costs and navigating continued labor chall...

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Tyler, TX - May 17, 2019: Texas Roadhouse Chain restaurant located on Loop 323 in Tyler, TX.

What Texas Roadhouse Is Getting Right in a Shaky Casual Dining Market

Guest Experience News, , ,

The casual dining sector has faced a turbulent stretch. Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024 after closing multiple locations, and other national brands have reduced their footprint amid rising labor and food costs. Yet not every chain is retrenching. Texas Roadhouse reported third-quarter sales growth last November and outlined plans to expand its restaurant count this year. “While the duration of these inflationary pressures remains uncertain, we are committed to running our bus...

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Industrial brewery with large stainless steel fermentation tanks, craft drink.

US Spirits Bankruptcies Push Restaurateurs to Rethink Liquor Sourcing

Industry News, ,

Brewery and distillery bankruptcies aren’t a reason for restaurateurs to close their tab just yet. But they do need to plan ahead. OysterLink’s analysis found that restaurants relying on a single spirits brand or distillery for core menu items face heightened risk if a supplier exits the market. Having backup brands in place can make transitions to new recipes or menu options more seamless for both customers and staff. “A single spirits bankruptcy can disrupt dozens of menu items across a restau...

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Engaging Service at the Eatery, Clients Enjoying Conversations while Waitstaff Attend, Cafe Scene Filled with Delicious Food and Beverages, Where Lifestyle Meets Business in Comfortable Dining.

Steps of Service for an Exceptional Restaurant Experience

Best and Worst Practices, ,

Which is less bothersome: a waiter who constantly interrupts the meal, or one who’s hardly present at all? Ideally, guests should encounter neither. In dining, timing and order of service play a major role in how guests experience a meal. When service flows well, it stays out of the way. When it doesn’t, even attentive service can feel disruptive. Food and beverage also represents a significant opportunity for hotels that invest in on-site bars and restaurants, making service execution more than...

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Facing Failure Head-On: How To Reinvest in Your Products and “Partners”

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The food service industry is resilient. From wars and natural disasters to a global pandemic, we’ve witnessed the service sector push through hard times. Certain brands have even started over when necessary, all so they can continue to deliver quality to their customers. Some companies succeed at survival, while others can’t recover from devastating challenges. Building again from the ground up is no easy feat – it’s nearly impossible when companies don’t acknowledge how they got there in the fi...

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Courier delivery of lunch and food, fruit in a takeaway package. Hands close-up. The employee is happy with his work in a cafe, restaurant. The man is dark-haired, brown-haired, of European appearance.

7 Steps to Enhance Fine Dining Takeout

Best and Worst Practices, ,

Guests increasingly seek the convenience of to-go service from high-end restaurants, but these fancy joints often have exclusive guidelines — and expectations — regarding takeout orders. Many fine dining establishments choose not to work with third-party delivery services. Kaluz in South Florida doesn't even take orders over the phone. When they arrive to place orders, these guests are encouraged to step aside and make room for diners waiting to enjoy table service. Strict policies, high standar...

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August 26, 2023 in Redding, CA: Modern high rise condos taken in downtown Redding, CA where the downtown district is being revitalized with a neighborhood with restaurants and a renovated theater -- Shutterstock.

The Combination of Retail and Residential Space Signals a Growing Trend in Urban Living

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The integration of retail and residential spaces has been noticeable in recent property development. This symbiotic relationship offers residents, business owners, and property managers significant advantages. Lifestyle properties catering to guests’ daily needs are becoming more popular than ever, which is evident in the rise of new construction accommodating these services. Forbes notes this growing mixed-use property trend, adding that it’s not enough to create just the physical space — prope...

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Easter brunch buffet.

Top 10 Tips for a Better Brunch Buffet

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I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a near-perfect brunch. It got me thinking about what restaurants need to improve on this classic multi-course meal so that it feels more like a utopian escape and less like an excuse to get drunk before noon. My heavenly brunch experience took place at MILA, a stunning Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant in Miami that sets the bar high for what brunch (and every other meal) can be. From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was electric, filled with th...

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Group of four young professional musicians playing instruments and singing in Afro-Cuban jazz band on stage in local bar

The Secret to Hosting Live Music That actually boosts Your Bottom Line

Competitive Intelligence, ,

Live music can transform a venue’s atmosphere, attracting crowds, increasing sales, and solidifying customer loyalty. But for restaurants, breweries, and bars, the challenge isn’t just about booking a band – it’s about making live entertainment a profitable investment rather than an added expense. The key lies in balancing costs, curating the right talent, and optimizing the guest experience to keep customers spending. Here’s how operators can ensure that live music enhances their business. Unde...

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