Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 3, 2024

The demand for earlier reservations provides restaurants the opportunity to get creative when it comes to driving traffic for second and third seating’s with memorable experiences, dynamic pricing, or late-night specials. What should operators take away from these results?

Reservations 221

Reservations Book Customer Experience Dine-in 221

Goliath Consulting

APRIL 5, 2025

Efficient Seating and Ordering Process Minimize wait times and ensure smooth transitions from arrival to seating. Personalization, such as remembering a regulars favorite dish or celebrating special occasions, can leave a lasting impression. Provide digital menus or physical copies that are clear and well-designed.

Customer Experience 195

Customer Experience Email Marketing Customer Service Mobile Ordering 195

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 18, 2022

That’s also not so easy; there’s only so much efficiency you can squeeze out of your operations. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—when you have enough staff to handle the crowd and an efficient plan to get those waiting customers seated and served in a reasonable amount of time, you can call it a successful day.

Seating 507

Seating Customer Experience Customer Service Take-out 507

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 10, 2020

” No one knows for sure, but we are seeing glimpses of a trend that may be the answer for restaurant owners and operators: expanded outdoor seating. ” An (ROI) Argument for Expanding Outdoor Seating. Creating or expanding outdoor seating is nowhere near as expensive as a building expansion. Inside Out.

Outdoor 553

Outdoor Seating Customer Service Small Business 553

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Operators would see increased prices in their supply chain, resulting in rising costs to their guests as well. AI has the potential to revolutionize hiring processes, employee training, and even workforce scheduling, leading to more efficient operations and improved guest services. AI is also boosting staff productivity.

Loyalty Program 221

Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Customer Experience Customer Service 221

7 Shifts

NOVEMBER 24, 2024

Whether it’s managing reservations, coordinating with servers, or handling situations with grace, a skilled hostess brings a mix of warmth, professionalism, and operational expertise to the table. How do you balance seating arrangements to maintain fairness and efficiency? How do you ensure guests feel welcome when they arrive?

Hospitality 195

Hospitality Seating Customer Experience Reservations 195

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 31, 2024

While swicy took the front seat this year, Rubix’s proprietary research found that 5 percent more Gen Z respondents reported having frequent sweet and salty cravings over sweet and spicy. In 2025, operators can offer elevated foodservice experiences at more affordable prices through emphasizing value in LTOs to drive sales.

2025 450

2025 Beverage Fine Dining Guest Recovery 450

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 2, 2020

The economic aspect of sustainability often takes a back seat to the other two elements, but right now, it’s the key to surviving and thriving in the time of COVID-19. One thing that many restaurants are not doing right now is taking the time to evaluate the core services that keep their businesses operating.

Sustainability 362

Sustainability Operations Management Management 362

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 26, 2021

The last year has had a profound impact on both restaurant operations and customer preferences, resulting in permanent changes. Consistency is essential for optimal user experiences, especially if you are a multi-unit operator. Research company eMarketer forecasts that by the end of 2021, there will be 44.1 and up to 53.9

Ordering 566

Ordering Mobile Ordering Online Ordering Email Marketing 566

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 10, 2021

According to a National Restaurant Association study done in April, 84 percent of operators surveyed said staffing was lower than required, with 47 percent stating that their staff numbers were more than 20 percent under the pre-pandemic levels. Digitizing the order process brings speed to a restaurant’s operations.

Ordering 592

Ordering Recruiting Food Order Employee Relations 592

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 28, 2021

One way that many restaurants are dealing with this labor shortage is by adjusting hour or days of operation. Some operations are cutting out an entire service, meaning that they only do dinner whereas before they did lunch and dinner. We walked into a restaurant and there was a sign at the host stand: “Please wait to be seated.”

Customer Service 465

Customer Service Reservations Specials Training 465

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 16, 2021

We all had contests for our staff where the goal is to sell the most specials/most wine/most desserts, etc. One of the fine dining operations that I consult with had a contest for selling the most chef specials, with the prize being that the chef would personally make the winner any item on the menu for dinner. Lesson Learned.

Front of House 520

Front of House Cash Management Back of House Hiring 520

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 10, 2023

Throughout the design process, Girelli worked alongside Neroni, listening to his concerns to ensure a restaurant that operates to his and the Alma’s standards. The partnership resulted in a 116-seat signature restaurant directly inspired by the chef’s menu. What are the challenges of the chef – designer partnership?

Design 487

Design Customer Experience Magazine Seating 487

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

While it may seem that everything is in chaos, there are ways we can maintain control of what happens to our operations. Because operational shifts for businesses are happening at such a quick pace, stay nimble in terms of your operational structure. Here are a few general recommendations: Stay Nimble. Stay Alert.

Supplies 492

Supplies Seasonal Menu Back of House Delivery 492

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 10, 2021

While you are waiting to be seated, the hostess fans out a deck of cards containing four jokers. This information includes your location, hours of operation, menu, and reviews. Snow’s BBQ us still a Saturday-only operation, but the queues have grown considerably longer. Provide Free Meals on Special Occasions.

Marketing 567

Marketing SEO Front of House Website Management 567

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 19, 2020

. “Restaurant of the Future: How to Take Advantage of the Digital Transformation,” a panel discussion about how technology spurred by COVID-19 will help shape the way restaurants operate, will take place on Thursday, Aug. We help the operator through every major decision. 20 at 4 p.m. US Foods Ghost Kitchens.

Kitchen Safety 515

Kitchen Safety Loyalty Program Delivery Customer Service 515

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 25, 2020

Everywhere we turn right now it seems restaurant brands are continuing to face operational challenges and hurdles. With outdoor dining occupying the foreground, and bars and indoor dining taking a back seat to consumer preferences, it begs the question: what happens when it gets cold? One key to making this a success is marketing.

Seasonal Menu 493

Seasonal Menu Outdoor Customer Service Catering 493

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 12, 2024

For a deeper dive, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Yevgeni Tsirulnik, SVP, Innovation and Incubation at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions How should restaurant operators approach digital investments moving forward? How do you suggest they best balance operational and guest needs?

Loyalty Program 473

Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Dietary Restrictions Customer Experience 473

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

For operators, restaurant apps mean higher sales, greater customer retention, and smoother day-to-day operations. Beyond mobile ordering, restaurant apps support operations in ways that were never available before. These apps make it easier to manage digital orders, streamline kitchen operations, and reach more customers.

2025 195

2025 Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Online Ordering 195

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Use it to share updates, special events, or new menu items. For example, you can promote your seasonal dishes or happy hour specials. When done right, it helps keep your restaurant at the top of customers' minds, encourages repeat visits, and promotes special events or menu items. It's an active marketing tool.

Book 195

Book Marketing Email Marketing Social Media 195

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 10, 2021

This presents an opportunity for foodservice operations to stand out by elevating guest experience in the age of COVID-19, giving consumers a sense of exceptional service and memorable experiences they used to source from restaurants. The area of restaurant operation that presents the most opportunity for improvement is takeout and delivery.

Food Safety 487

Food Safety Customer Experience Customer Service Entertainment 487

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 7, 2020

It’s an example of what Prague’s Manifesto Market is doing as part of its reopening operation. ” McKeon also reiterated some of the “new normal” that restaurants will operate under. Guests would be seated at every other table or booth so as to maintain a safe distance.

Food Safety 511

Food Safety Front of House Back of House Seating 511

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 5, 2020

For example, in Florida, under the State's full phase one reopening plan, restaurants are able to operate indoor dining rooms at 50-percent capacity and can fully utilize their outdoor space so long as they maintain social distancing.

Outdoor 420

Outdoor Seating Government Employee Relations 420

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 14, 2020

If you’re already open : Update your website, social media, online listings and answering machine with your new hours and details such as seating capacity. Food photos have a special place in the heart of consumers on social media—and Instagram is the perfect place to share and connect over cuisine.

Marketing 539

Marketing Social Media Influencer Online Ordering 539

Culinary Cues

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Sometimes the difference is the shear scale of the operation. Some restaurants can operate efficiently with a staff of 10 or less, while others might require more than 50. An operation with one restaurant outlet is far different than one with several. The answer is emphatically – no.

Beverage 522

Beverage Events Food Order Website Management 522

Culinary Cues

JANUARY 3, 2023

Let me explain: A few years ago, (50 years ago) I had a conversation with a wonderful woman who owned and operated a successful neighborhood restaurant. Customers would like up, sometimes around the block, hoping for a seat in her rather small restaurant where she featured, what we called – blue plate specials.

Hospitality 466

Hospitality Customer Experience Customer Service Small Business 466

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 5, 2023

This is great news for restaurants, but they should also be prepared for an influx of customers coming with their most special guests, and expecting nothing but a prime customer experience that will pamper their mothers. One thing is certain: nobody likes to wait – either seated or in lines.

Mobile Ordering 419

Mobile Ordering Online Ordering Customer Service Customer Experience 419

Culinary Cues

MAY 13, 2023

Oftentimes these properties boast a few a ’la carte restaurants, room service, special property events, banquets, weddings, buffets, and three meals a day in at least one of their outlets. As an example – garde manger really only exists in these types of properties where cold food can rule the day with banquets and special events.

Hotels 506

Hotels Point of Sale Cash Management Training 506

Culinary Cues

DECEMBER 1, 2019

The funny thing is that these small businesses – in this case – restaurants – cannot survive on that once-a-year recognition, or even the occasional special event. This is part of the small business experience that can rarely be duplicated in a larger chain operation.

Small Business 490

Small Business Customer Experience Customer Service Seasonal Menu 490

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 27, 2020

He cautioned that when restaurants can reopen for dine-in service, they will have to face the bittersweet reality of less seating capacity and less sales–he estimates as much as 30 percent–due to social distancing practices and guest apprehension. "They

Front of House 438

Front of House Social Media Back of House Seating 438

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 31, 2021

If possible, restaurants should consider expanding into casual and comfortable outdoor seating arrangements that can feature a more pre-pandemic feel. Other practices can be updated to enhance the feeling of personal service; for instance, table settings can be placed as guests are seated.

Customer Service 474

Customer Service Customer Experience Online Ordering Hospitality 474

Culinary Cues

AUGUST 9, 2021

Wow visuals on the plate and in the dining room, wow views from every seat, wow service, and of course – wow flavors on the plate. If you recognize the farmer, the rancher, and the fisherman, then they might be so inclined to set aside those extra special ingredients for your kitchen.

Front of House 476

Front of House Customer Experience Dine-in Training 476

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 1, 2024

When it comes to operations, using restaurant management tools with easy scheduling features ensures you have the right number of staff during peak hours without over or under-scheduling. A warm greeting, attentive service, and a willingness to accommodate special requests can significantly enhance customer satisfaction.

Customer Experience 397

Customer Experience 2024 Customer Service Online Ordering 397

ChowNow

APRIL 11, 2025

Their sleek design and intuitive user interface make them a natural fit for a modern restaurants day-to-day operations. Too many operators find themselves stuck with hardware that doesnt play nice with their tech stack. Tablets are everywhere in restaurants these days, and with good reason.

Front of House 195

Front of House Allergens Online Ordering Back of House 195

Lavu

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Finding the table turnover sweet spot is important for restaurant owners and operators because it can help improve profitability. The table turnover holds significant importance for restaurant owners and operators as it can greatly impact profitability. This should include all tables available for seating customers.

Seating 174

Seating Mobile Ordering Customer Service Online Ordering 174

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 11, 2020

While having to reduce the number of seats is never ideal for a restaurant, many states are requiring it. The best option is to remove some tables and chairs from your dining room altogether in order not to have a bunch of empty seats as reminders of restrictions. Give your outdoor seating the same importance you give indoor.

Customer Experience 516

Customer Experience Dine-in Food Safety Kitchen Safety 516

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 2, 2024

For this, flexible seating arrangements are the key – from cozy booths to communal tables and counter seating, offering options that cater to individual preferences ensures that solo diners feel comfortable and valued. First impressions matter. Creating an inviting ambiance is critical for attracting (and retaining) solo diners.

Loyalty Program 411

Loyalty Program Catering Seating Customer Experience 411