Tag Archives: restaurants

Chef preparing a plate made of meat and vegetables. The chef is pouring sauce on two plates.

Transforming the Hotel Culinary Experience with “Gastronomic Amazement”

Guest Experience News,

Guests crave an experience that excites all the senses. Enter the "Gastronomic Amazement" trend, which puts the kitchen at the center of the guest experience. Instead of the traditional, hidden-back-of-house operation, modern hotel restaurants are now drawing guests into the heat of the action, offering an immersive journey into the culinary arts. Imagine watching a chef’s precise knife work, hearing the sizzle of ingredients on a hot grill, and feeling the energy of a bustling kitchen. Global a...

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African American confident chef male in kitchen of restaurant.

3 Effective Solutions That Bring Order to Guest-Cooking Chaos

Best and Worst Practices

Restaurants built for immersive meal preparation should have one goal in mind: deliver a fun time. Instead, guests tend to get lost in a sea of do-it-yourself confusion. Concept restaurants that allow guests to become chefs are gaining popularity among adventurous eaters. Innovative venues that offer a full-on food immersion attract guests eager to step outside their culinary comfort zones. From Korean barbecue with robot servers to fondue restaurants like The Melting Pot, dining has become an e...

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Satisfying Health-Conscious Restaurant Guests: 4 Menu Tips to Keep Them Coming Back

Competitive Intelligence

Have you taken a close look at healthy menu options at your restaurant lately? If not, it may be time to get your menu in shape with healthier food and drink options. Half of consumers consider eating healthy a “top priority,” according to McKinsey & Company, a business research and consulting company. McKinsey conducted an online survey of around 8,000 consumers in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany after pandemic restrictions eased. “Restaurants and takeout establish­men...

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3 Reasons to Bring Non Alcoholic Drinks to the Bar

Insights

Nonalcoholic drinks are rising in popularity. Even actress Kristen Bell’s kids drink nonalcoholic beer (though completely alcohol-free beer is agreeably safer). Alcohol is often seen as an avenue for fun; it’s an anticipated element of most adults’ social activities. But despite being so commonplace, drinking is not accessible to all. According to a study commissioned by NCSolutions this year, almost a quarter of Americans aged 21 and older don’t drink alcohol at all. One in three are trying to ...

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - DECEMBER 01, 2023: the service counter at a McDonald's restaurant. McDonald's is a global fast-food chain known for its burgers, fries, and other quick-service meals.

How Fast-Casual Restaurants Can Deliver Speed Without Sacrificing Guest Experience

Competitive Intelligence, ,

The fast-casual dining space thrives on a delicate balance: delivering meals quickly while maintaining food quality and a welcoming atmosphere. Brands like Chipotle and Pei Wei gained traction by offering fresh, customizable dishes in a streamlined setting. However, guest expectations have evolved, and service, cleanliness, and food consistency missteps have led to declines for even once-dominant chains. How can fast-casual restaurants ensure they provide speed and an experience that drives loya...

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Happy Hour in Hotel Lobby Bar

The Revenue Hotels Are Leaving on the Table: Why On-Site Bars and Restaurants Are a Game Changer

Competitive Intelligence, ,

Imagine a guest checking into your hotel after a long day of travel. They're hungry, maybe looking for a nightcap, but no on-site bar or restaurant exists. Instead of keeping their spending in-house, they head to a competitor’s venue down the street. That’s lost revenue– revenue that could have stayed within your property. The financial case for on-site bars and restaurants is clear: they drive revenue, enhance guest satisfaction, and increase overall profitability. Studies show hotels with stro...

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Dubai, UAE - FEBRUARY 18, 2018: Al Mahara luxury Burj Al Arab restaurant. Interior of Burj Al Arab famous Dubai hotel. 7 star luxury hotel. Iconic the most luxurious restaurant and hotel in the world.

How Restaurants can Serve Theme Park-Level Immersion — Without the Gimmicks

Insights,

Step into Tiffins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and you’re not just dining — you’re exploring. The lighting, textures, menu, and music all whisper the same message: You’ve left Florida behind. But this isn’t kitsch — it’s curated. And it’s something your restaurant can replicate, no safari gear required. Theme parks have perfected the art of immersion, especially in their signature dining experiences. Restaurants like the Hollywood Brown Derby and Universal’s new Blue Dragon Pan-Asian don’t rely o...

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Woman influencer, food review blog and content creator filming online video in cafe restaurant. Creative live streaming, shooting 5g web vlog and virtual mobile phone app broadcast for social media.

Why Independent Restaurants are Hiring Marketing Pros to Handle TikTok and More

Communication and Messaging,

It used to be enough for an independent restaurant to rely on word of mouth and a few Yelp reviews. Today, a restaurant’s digital presence is often its first impression – and increasingly, that impression is formed in under 30 seconds through a swipe on TikTok or Instagram Reels. What was once optional has become essential: short-form video, mobile-friendly websites, and an online persona that reflects the in-person experience. For time-strapped owners juggling everything from payroll to plating...

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Unhappy female cafe manager singing documents contract standing behind the counter.

How Independent Restaurants Can Cut Costs as Tariffs Raise Food Prices

Competitive Intelligence, ,

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced "reciprocal tariffs" on a range of imported goods, sending ripple effects through the restaurant industry. From seafood and produce to packaging materials, the cost of doing business just got more expensive for independent restaurants. The news landed on operators already navigating high labor costs, staffing shortages, and tight margins. While large chains can lean on national contracts and economies of scale, independent restaurants don’t have...

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Father and son at a plantation mall food court eating lunch during the covid 19 coronavirus pandemic wearing face mask personal protective covering.

Changing Times in Casual Dining

Insights

Casual dining restaurants, once a cornerstone of the American dine-in experience, are now facing tough times. The big question is whether these classic spots are no longer meeting customer expectations or if the times are changing. The answer seems to be a bit of both. With well-known chains like Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, and even Hooters struggling to stay afloat, it’s clear that something has shifted in the way guests dine out. These iconic brands that once defined casual dining are now battli...

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