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Every successful restaurant has one thing in common: they know exactly who they are serving. 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.
"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.
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.
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.
Before you can achieve success, you have to define it. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) give you the framework to do just that. Paycor’s free guide includes a step-by-step process leaders can use to work toward – and achieve – their loftiest business goals.
By Jordan Hayes, Contributor Relocating a restaurant is a major event that offers an opportunity to rebrand, refresh, and create excitement among your customers. Whether youre moving to a bigger space, a more strategic location, or a trendier neighborhood, the way you announce your restaurant's move can shape how customers respond to the change. A well-planned announcement not only reassures loyal patrons but also attracts new customers eager to explore your new location.
Running a restaurant is a demanding job. One day youre juggling staff schedules. The next youre racing to keep inventory stocked while customers wait for tables. Weve worked with countless restaurant pros whove faced these challenges head-on. Their stories inspire these 10 proven restaurant management tips and tricks for success. Whether youre a seasoned owner or just starting out, this advice will help you boost efficiency, keep your team motivated, and turn customers into regulars.
As the chill of winter fades and patio season returns, restaurant owners have a prime opportunity to prepare their HVAC systems for the demands of spring. With rising temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and increased allergens in the air, a neglected HVAC system can impact both guest experience and operational costs. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, a proactive maintenance approach can prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure diners stay comfortable throughout the sea
As the chill of winter fades and patio season returns, restaurant owners have a prime opportunity to prepare their HVAC systems for the demands of spring. With rising temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and increased allergens in the air, a neglected HVAC system can impact both guest experience and operational costs. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, a proactive maintenance approach can prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure diners stay comfortable throughout the sea
Restaurants can now use customer data to enhance restaurant menu design, creating smarter menus that increase profits and improve the dining experience. By analyzing ordering patterns, sales trends, and customer preferences using the POS systems System, they can make data-driven decisions to optimize menu offerings, highlight popular dishes, and introduce profitable items.
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.
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.
The restaurant industry is undergoing a significant shift as Gen Z diners reshape dining expectations. This generation prioritizes social responsibility over traditional brand loyalty and gravitates toward integrity, sustainability, and values-driven experiences. To successfully engage this influential consumer group, restaurants can no longer rely solely on brand recognition; they must adopt innovative strategies that align with Gen Z’s preferences.
Before you can achieve success, you have to define it. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) give you the framework to do just that. Paycor’s free guide includes a step-by-step process leaders can use to work toward – and achieve – their loftiest business goals.
I was thinking the other day about those individuals (chefs, restaurateurs, mentors, teachers, parents, friends) who have offered or lived advice that helped to mold the person I am. I may not always live up to their words of wisdom, but after all, I am still a work in progress. Each of us can look back and reflect on those who have and who continue to provide us with some guiding light.
Keith Lee, the internets most famous food critic. | Photo by Renee Dominguez/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images The TikTok food critic has spent the last few years advocating for independent restaurants, most recently in a partnership with Toast. He also hopes to open his own someday. At this point, theres no denying that Keith Lee is among the countrys most influential food critics.
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. Too high, and youll drive customers away. Somewhere in between is the number that makes sense for your food costs, your market, and your restaurants unique position.
By Jose Chavez, Contributor Managing multiple locations is tough in the restaurant business. Communication is hard when multiple locations can get teams and office spaces out of sync. This uncertainty makes it hard to hit organizational goals, communicate consistently, and build a company culture across multiple locations. Restaurant businesses need to adopt technology that enables collaboration among remote teams and simplifies management if they want to succeed.
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.
Omnichannel communications and value-oriented customer expectations are two elements challenging restaurant owners and operators, according to a survey from Klaviyo. “Every guest touchpoint–whether it’s a dine-in experience, an online order, or even a response to a review – can influence future business,” Mike Eng, Senior Director of Vertical Expansion at Klaviyo, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine. “Restaurants need to think beyond just serving
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.
Would Smartfood betray me? | Lille Allen One womans quest to figure out why her beloved white cheddar popcorn started to disappoint Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn is the only snack I ever want. I mean this. I do not often crave sweets, and while I will happily accept chips and Cheetos and various Haldirams mixes, Smartfood is the only one that sends me into a focused stupor.
AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.
If youre one of the thousands of restaurants that added online food delivery in recent years, you might be wondering: is it actually helping my business grow? The only way to know for sure is by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive business growth. These metrics give you a clear picture of your delivery performancefrom order volume and customer retention to delivery speed and profitability.
Running a restaurant is tough. Long shifts, slim profits, and taxes can hit hard. Ive been in those shoes, scrambling to balance the books while keeping the kitchen humming. The good news is that there are tax deductions and credits made for restaurants and owners that can ease the burden. With a POS system like SkyTab and solid accounting software, you can track it all without losing your mind.
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.
2025 is as nuanced a year as brands have ever seen with consumers behaving and setting expectations in opposing ways. Brands that will thrive are those who embrace these contradictions as opportunities. With consumer behaviors evolving at a rapid pace, brands looking to build momentum for the rest of the year must take advantage of these insights. This year has been defined by paradoxes—where diners crave both digital convenience and personal connection, indulgence and thrift, and personal
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.
I know youre busy. Every day brings new challenges to face, unexpected curve balls that throw you off balance. But you might want to stop now and again and reflect on a time, not too long ago. Think back to March of 2020. Do you remember what it was like? In January of that year, we started to talk about a virus that was spreading from China, but in March it reared up its ugly head in the U.S.
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.
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.
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
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.
The 2025 Restaurant Business Restaurant Leader of the Year engineered the industrys most unlikely comeback with a simple formula: Get people in the door and give them a good time once they get there.
In the restaurant industry, moving from General Manager (GM) to Multi-Unit Leader (MUL)—whether as a District Manager, Area Manager, or Regional Director—is usually seen as a natural career progression. After all, a high-performing GM has already mastered running a restaurant, hitting numbers, developing teams, and managing day-to-day operations, so giving them more locations should be a win.
I was scrolling through Instagram this morning and came across a post about a sourdough hotel in Sweden where people can leave their sourdough starters to be cared for while they are on vacation. My first reaction was to chuckle at something that seemed a bit nave. I mean how large is the audience for this service? But then I put aside my initial reaction and realized that what we sometimes discount can open the door for something that just might be the right product, at the right time, in the r
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.
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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