Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Fast Food Flavor Report Fast food brands and restaurants are scratching their heads trying to figure out what flavors are a bonafide trend and which are just a fleeting fad. Expect to see functional plants like burdock, angelica, and osha root popping up more frequently, adding a fresh, innovative twist to dishes.

2025 450

2025 Beverage Fine Dining Guest Recovery 450

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 18, 2022

If you’re involved in any aspect of the Fast Casual category, you don’t need me to tell you that labor and distribution issues are real. We all also know that there is no silver bullet that will course-correct the struggles faced by owners and operators. They are absolutely your most valuable resource.

Fast Casual 493

Fast Casual Supplies Casual Franchise 493

EATER

OCTOBER 5, 2020

But such is the world of giant quick-service and fast-casual business : Find interesting, “trendy,” flavorful ideas from any culture, dilute them into their most mass-marketable forms, and reap monetary gain without acknowledging the sources. To light the way , a new wave of fast casuals is actively changing the status quo.

Fast Casual 360

Fast Casual Casual Food Order 2018 360

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 11, 2021

The owner of Delicious Raw, a healthy fast casual concept launched in 2013, is looking to grow the brand and create a one-stop-shop for healthy consumables for a broad audience. We are also constantly working on ways to expand our menu, developing new recipes to offer innovative and delicious new options.

Fast Casual 367

Fast Casual Casual 2013 Franchise 367

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 18, 2020

Recognizing this shift, Freshii , a fast-casual franchise with hundreds of locations globally, created a corporate partnership that enables companies to offer meal kits and market baskets at a discount to their employees. Strategies like those employed by Prairie keeps the supply chain moving, costs constant, and food waste limited.

Supplies 474

Supplies Innovation Food Supply Loyalty Program 474

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 18, 2024

While restaurants that successfully pivot to address this demand for value may grow or maintain their sales, these brands could find themselves making other cost-saving operational changes, like reducing portion sizes, to account for this trend. In this competitive environment, it’s clear that we must innovate to stay ahead.

Operations 221

Operations Loyalty Program Fast Casual 2024 221

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 22, 2025

Furthermore, CAD supports the design-build lifecycle and maintenance, ensuring continuity and precision from the initial concept to the daily operation of the completed restaurant. How Design Technology Improves Space and Guest Experience Every square foot counts when redesigning a fast-casual eatery or a fine dining venue.

Design 221

Design Technology Fine Dining Fast Casual 221

Restaurant Business

APRIL 9, 2025

Most restaurant operators consider technology a necessity for running their restaurants today. That number was nearly as low for operators who said technology led to cost savings.Operators are also worried about raising labor costs, and this is a key area where the right technology could benefit restaurants.

Take-out 183

Take-out Technology Fast Casual Inventory 183

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Independent restaurants are at a pivotal moment, as the industry confronts multiple challenges including inflation, cost volatility, and extreme weather and adapts to an increasingly complex operating environment, according to the findings of the The James Beard Foundation® (JBF) 2025 Independent Restaurant Industry Report.

2024 251

2024 2025 2023 Loyalty Program 251

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 9, 2024

In fact, 45 percent of restaurant operators expect competition to be more intense than last year. Bank of America suggests that technological innovation is the real game-changer , and it could have a big impact on the overall bottom line for restaurants in 2024. So, what’s the solution? Food availability is often in flux.

2024 508

2024 Mobile Ordering Front of House Back of House 508

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Technology innovations offer the potential to bridge the gap between the need to keep their business running and deliver quality products and experiences to their guests. For fast-casual or QSR brands, digital tableside ordering is equally beneficial. The labor crisis has not been limited to just FOH or BOH operations staff.

Technology 563

Technology Loyalty Program Fast Casual Email Marketing 563

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 11, 2022

In particular, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages – whether due to resignations or illness – are forcing quick service and fast casual restaurants to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Increased Emphasis on Online Ordering. Former competitors are now part of the same umbrella company.

2022 520

2022 Marketing Fast Casual Mobile Ordering 520

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 2, 2024

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2024. The artistry of chefs and the creativity of restaurateurs will continue to be at the forefront, while these tools become operational enhancers.

2024 493

2024 Fast Casual Food Safety Insurance 493

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

innovative and unique marketing strategies and 3. What are the operational challenges of pursuing international expansion? DG: I believe potential operational challenges could derive from keeping up with the ever evolving global policies and regulations. Strong business model 2. a clear identity.

Franchise 221

Franchise Franchising Social Media Influencer 221

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 3, 2021

In addition to the emergence of indoor dining, it explores rising competition between fast food and fast casual restaurant brands with COVID restrictions loosening. “The data strongly signals long wait times are a vulnerability for fast food restaurants as they compete for customers. . Fast food reigns supreme.

2021 474

2021 Fast Casual Mobile Ordering Guest Recovery 474

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 29, 2021

However, operators are having to resort to short and long-term fixes to address the fact that they cannot find team members.” “We are seeing sign-on bonuses at fast food and fast casual locations, something never seen before in the industry. This is what has been working for me.”

Fast Casual 553

Fast Casual Hiring Online Ordering Front of House 553

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 30, 2023

This migration could be a goldmine for casual/fast food brands if only they had the people to support them. It’s not unusual for a fast-casual restaurant with over 1,000 locations to manually save the recipes on these drives and then send them to the field teams, and hope they’re properly uploaded.

Technology 474

Technology Fast Casual Waste 2023 474

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 25, 2021

However, can innovation teach these old dogs new tricks, or will a post-pandemic environment sunset this trend? However, since many restaurant operators didn’t understand QR codes, they failed to implement them correctly or didn’t properly advertise them, so the trend quickly died. The Quintessential QR Comeback.

Customer Experience 493

Customer Experience Customer Service Point of Sale Fast Casual 493

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 14, 2021

In addition, 75 percent of restaurant operators say recruiting employees was their top challenge, the highest level ever recorded. As seen first with many fast casual chains, we expect more differentiated benefits packages to continue to emerge as a way for restaurants to fill much needed open positions.

2022 508

2022 Employee Relations Outdoor Fast Casual 508

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 13, 2021

The old nursery rhyme, “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick” could sum up the actions of successful restaurant operators in 2020. Staying nimble will allow operators to respond with value-oriented menus to meet their customers where they are. 85 percent of millennials and Gen Zers have, too. In other words, you have to be quick.

2021 488

2021 Consumer Goods Fast Casual Loyalty Program 488

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 16, 2023

When we asked about fast food: 29 percent said they eat fast food frequently. 46 percent said they occasionally dine at a fast-food restaurant. Only five percent said they never eat fast food. 29 percent said they rarely ate at casual restaurants. 29 percent said they rarely ate at casual restaurants.

Fast Casual 531

Fast Casual Fine Dining 2023 Consumer Goods 531

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Historically, restaurants have been slow to adopt innovative technology. Seven of ten restaurants are owned by individual operators, most of whom are independent, according to the National Restaurant Association. Operators will need to think locally. Innovators will find their own way. The pandemic changed that.

2021 478

2021 Online Ordering Email Marketing Advertising 478

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

More than half of restaurant operators said it would be a year or more before businesses conditions return to normal with food, labor, and occupancy costs are expected to remain elevated, and continue to impact restaurant profit margins in 2022, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry report.

2022 518

2022 2030 Food Supply Recruiting 518

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 6, 2024

The experience agency, who designed new restaurant prototypes for clients such as Burger King, Panda Express and Panera Bread, surveyed consumers to gain a better understanding of the current customer journey and what guests value most about the restaurant experience, particularly at casual dining and fast casual restaurants.

Customer Experience 493

Customer Experience Fast Casual 2024 Dine-in 493

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 21, 2020

With more states lifting sanctions on dine-in options, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Yelp's Small Business Expert Emily Washcovick to learn about ways restaurants can successfully make the transition and slowly ramp up operations, while keeping guest and staff safety top of mind. Emily Washcovick.

Customer Experience 570

Customer Experience Consumer Goods Social Media Dine-in 570

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 1, 2020

Although we are not having guests eat in our dining rooms, Teriyaki Madness is utilizing technology to combat the fallout through an emphasis on pickup and delivery, innovative curbside service and social media promotions across its website and mobile app.

Technology 472

Technology Healthcare Social Media Mobile Ordering 472

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Conducted in partnership with Teneo via online surveys between June 22 and July 2 in Florida, Washington and New York, the results offer insight into how the pandemic has impacted restaurants, how operators have adapted and what will bring diners back through their doors. Innovating During COVID-19.

Fast Casual 507

Fast Casual Fine Dining Innovation Employee Relations 507

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Contactless ordering at the table, virtual host stands, and online staff wellness checks have all become standard operating procedures for us now. Innovative and inviting outdoor seating is going to be crucial in order for restaurants to survive. Now brands are trying to balance speed to market and operational readiness.

2021 576

2021 Mobile Ordering Kitchen Safety Loyalty Program 576

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 31, 2025

Connecting with the consumer through loyalty programs and better customer data is a key focus for operators – more than seven in ten restaurant leaders (71 percent) are planning to increase investment in their loyalty or reward programs to keep customers close over the next 12 months. Fast-casual visits overall were down 3.8

Marketing 221

Marketing Loyalty Program 2024 2025 221

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Although the land, labor, and creativity of farm-to-table sourcing is so exciting and delicious, considerable operational disruption, scheduling, and menu management is still required to make it all a profitable business model. If you think Uber Eats and Grubhub have already had a big impact on the way restaurants operate, just wait.

Mobile Ordering 539

Mobile Ordering Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 539

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

But there are also some areas where innovation is needed. This might mean weaving elements of fast-casual dining into your design. Yet another issue is trying to respond to operator demands for renovation. Investing in technology, staff, or new operational tactics can play a key part in helping you offer new services.

Fast Casual 395

Fast Casual Equipment Small Business Mobile Ordering 395

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2020

We appreciate how our team shows up every day with positive attitudes, ready for new challenges and open to all of the operational changes thrown their way. Operators that were already embracing an omni-channel approach have accelerated those efforts as a result of this evolving consumer behavior.

2020 493

2020 Kitchen Safety Food Safety Loyalty Program 493

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 26, 2023

In other encouraging news, franchise operators believe that, although most restaurants are not fully staffed, the labor situation has stabilized. Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) in particular thrived during the pandemic, largely due to drive through capabilities and technological innovation. Are some doing well and others not so?

2023 474

2023 Employee Relations Franchise Franchising 474

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 11, 2023

Who among us hasn’t ordered food through a convenient mobile application, with menu choices ranging from not just quick-serve or fast-casual restaurants, but convenience stores as well? through ghost-kitchen operator ChefSuite. Adding a splash of innovation to your offerings doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

Customer Service 474

Customer Service Fast Casual Sustainability Customer Experience 474

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 16, 2021

Additionally, as a result of the ongoing labor shortage, we anticipate more automated chatbots to support on-site team members and help streamline their work as well as operators looking for locations with smaller dine-in square footage in favor of adding more drive-thru lanes.

2022 450

2022 Food Supply Back of House Kitchen Safety 450

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 30, 2021

Founded in 2006, Just Salad is the fast-casual restaurant industry’s leading proponent of zero-waste practices. Just Salad is the first restaurant investment for Closed Loop Partners, a New York-based investment firm and innovation center focused on scaling the circular economy in North America and beyond.

Franchise 508

Franchise Franchising Fast Casual Point of Sale 508

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 16, 2021

What issues have affected the industry over the last five years in the topics of marketing, design, operations, law, finance, technology and equipment? Tableside ordering via tablets, tableside payment, POS systems designed with mobility and flexibility in mind have dominated the market growing out of the fast casual.

Fast Casual 390

Fast Casual Front of House Fine Dining Mobile Ordering 390