2025

article thumbnail

Pandemic Reflections: What Lessons Has the Restaurant Industry Learned?, Part One

Modern Restaurant Management

"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.

article thumbnail

7 Strategies To Increase Your Restaurant’s Average Order Volume (AOV)

ChowNow

Many restaurant operators have misconceptions about average order volume (AOV) and how it works, making statements like: I need more customers to make more money. or Upselling feels awkward. or That sounds like something for big chains, not a small independent restaurant like mine. If any of this sounds familiar, please keep reading so you can discover how increasing your average order volume can transform your restaurant without the need for new customers or a corporate-level budget.

Ordering 349
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

IMMIGRATION AND THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

Culinary Cues

Immigration has been the hot topic in political circles for decades with polarized opinions about the breadth of the problem and both conservative and radical approaches debated. It seems to me, that the realities of this challenge are not given sufficient airtime. So, lets look at immigration through the eyes of the business of food from agriculture to food processing and on to the restaurants we all enjoy supporting.

Food 377
article thumbnail

These 6 Restaurants Just Won the 2025 James Beard America’s Classics Award

EATER

William A. Morgan/Shutterstock Americas Classics honors locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and mark the real start of Beards season James Beard Awards season is here! After revealing the long list of 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists last month, today, the foundation names the recipients of its Americas Classics Awards.

2025 300
article thumbnail

Future-Proof Your Talent Pipeline

Get ready for the future of business. As HR navigates an ongoing labor shortage, leaders need stronger, more adaptable recruiting strategies. Do you have the tools you need to build a talent pipeline that drives sustainable business growth?

article thumbnail

The Strategic Value of Fractional CFOs in Multi-Unit Restaurants

Goliath Consulting

Running multi-unit restaurants demands more than exceptional food and serviceit requires sophisticated financial leadership to ensure long-term success. While a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides valuable expertise, many restaurant groups find that a fractional CFO offers a more cost-effective solution without compromising on financial guidance.

article thumbnail

5 Ways AI Reduces Food Waste in Restaurants by 30%

The Rail

By Bailey Ramsey, Contributor Food waste is a critical issue in the restaurant industry. To put this in perspective, restaurants waste anywhere between 4% to 10% of the food they purchase. This leads to huge financial losses, operational inefficiencies, and environmental harm. However, traditional waste management methods often fail to address the root causes, depriving businesses of all the benefits of reducing food waste.

Waste 182

More Trending

article thumbnail

10 Proven Restaurant Management Tips and Tricks for Success

Harbor Touch

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.

article thumbnail

3 Ways Tech Improves Food Safety in C-Stores According to Love’s Travel Stops

Crunchtime

Food safety technology has come a long way. More companies are tracking temperatures digitally, using automation to streamline operations, and taking the guesswork out of date labeling through digital label printers. W e've outlined 3 key areas where technology can be used to improve food safety practices in c-stores from Loves Travel Stops Director of Food Service, Nick Bouse.

article thumbnail

FSMA Rule 204 Food Safety Countdown: What Restaurant Managers Need to Know Now

Modern Restaurant Management

Better food safety has never been more in reach, thanks to advancements in traceability standards and technology. With the January 20, 2026 compliance deadline for the U.S. FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 approaching, restaurant operators stand to gain improved confidence in the safety and quality of the food they serve. While the rule targets all links in the supply chain such as manufacturers and distributors, its ripple effects can empower restaurants to respond more

article thumbnail

‘Marketing Doesn’t Stop at Getting Customers in the Door’

Modern Restaurant Management

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

Marketing 468
article thumbnail

State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

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.

article thumbnail

A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Staff Tips in Restaurants

Modern Restaurant Management

Managing staff tips in a restaurant can be a delicate balancing act. Tipping policies affect morale, teamwork, and the overall success of your establishment. Here's a detailed guide on how to navigate this important issue effectively. 1. Understand the Basics of Tip Distribution Before creating or adjusting your tipping policy, understand the typical roles involved and how tips are usually distributed: Waitstaff: Often the primary recipients of tips as they interact directly with customers.

article thumbnail

Pandemic Reflections: What Lessons Has the Restaurant Industry Learned?, Part Three

Modern Restaurant Management

"As awful as it was, the pandemic pushed restaurants to completely rethink their operations in order to survive, and some of the changes they made during the pandemic have continued to be beneficial to those restaurants and industry at large." As we mark the fifth anniversary, MRM magazine surveyed restaurant insiders about the pandemic’s lasting impact on their businesses and the industry.

article thumbnail

How a Creative Cocktail Program with a Beer and Wine License Can Help Your New Restaurant Succeed

Modern Restaurant Management

Opening a restaurant in competitive markets like South Florida is no easy task. Nearly 49 percent of restaurants fail within their first five years, and the 10-year survival rate is less than 35 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. High rents, competition, and fees make it tough for new restaurants to stay afloat. However, one way to boost your restaurant's chances of success is by using a beer and wine license to offer creative cocktails—without the high cost and

License 472
article thumbnail

How Restaurants Can Manage Food Costs During Disruptions

Modern Restaurant Management

Experts have deemed recovery from the pandemic “complete ,” but a new set of challenges has emerged for restaurants: labor shortages, disrupted supply chains, and extreme weather. Amid these potential disruptions, operators need a fresh approach to managing food costs. Here are seven strategies to boost adaptability and resilience while safeguarding the bottom line.

article thumbnail

Navigating Payroll Compliance: Future-Proofing Payroll in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

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.

article thumbnail

2025 Restaurant Design Trends: Elevating Guest Experiences with Innovation and Flexibility

Modern Restaurant Management

As the restaurant industry moves into 2025, design is taking center stage as a key driver of guest experience, operational efficiency and brand storytelling. Today’s diners expect more than just good food—they seek environments that captivate, connect and surprise. Mintel’s 2024 Global Consumer Trend ‘Relationship Renaissance’ revealed that coming out of the pandemic, consumers expressed an eagerness to seek connection with purpose.

2025 419
article thumbnail

Ready To Sell? Maybe You Should Be

Modern Restaurant Management

Are you ready to unlock the real secret to building wealth in the restaurant industry? It’s probably not what you think, and it might even be easier than what you’re doing now. Every story deserves an unforgettable ending. In 2018, I opened a self-serve tap house and sports bar called Auggie’s Draft Room. Of all the concepts I’ve brought to life, this one stands out as my most successful.

article thumbnail

Building Resilient and Less-Stress Restaurant Operations

Modern Restaurant Management

The restaurant industry is fast-paced and demanding, with constant pressures to deliver excellent service while managing operations smoothly. Balancing staff needs, customer expectations, and resource constraints can quickly overwhelm staff and management alike. Discover practical strategies to reduce stress and establish clear standard operating procedures, or SOPs, to create a sustainable work environment.

article thumbnail

Make or Break: Managing the Media’s Role in Food Recalls

Modern Restaurant Management

In a recall crisis, the media can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy – it all comes down to how you manage the message. With food recalls at a five year high , there’s (understandably!) increased consumer demand for real-time information about these incidents. The media can be incredibly valuable in distributing updates to the public and other key stakeholders, but if the information they have is inaccurate or sensationalized, it’s not helpful in protecting public health

article thumbnail

The Funding Recipe for Your Restaurant – A Guide To Growing Your Business

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.

article thumbnail

Cracking the Egg Crisis: Understanding Rising Prices, Supply Chain Solutions, and Strategies for Producers

Modern Restaurant Management

The U.S. egg industry is grappling with a crisis that has sent shockwaves through the food supply chain. Prices have surged to unprecedented levels, driven by a combination of disease outbreaks, increased production costs, and regulatory changes. These challenges not only impact egg producers but also have significant ramifications for restaurants, retailers, and consumers alike.

Supplies 373
article thumbnail

New Year, New Deals: How Smart Operators Keep More Profit

Modern Restaurant Management

Running a restaurant isn’t just about crafting the perfect plate or creating an unforgettable experience for your guests, it’s about making money. And if you’re not treating every dollar like it’s yours to keep, guess what? It’s going straight into someone else’s pocket. Sure, your suppliers, vendors, and manufacturers are your partners, and some can even become your most trusted advisors.

article thumbnail

‘Broad, One-Size-Fits-All Messaging Has Been Replaced by Tailored Campaigns that Resonate with Specific Audiences’

Modern Restaurant Management

Marketing agency Thought For Food & Son has been doing a lot more than just think about food for 20 years. While the family-owned and operated firm has evolved from a public relations boutique into a full-service digital and design agency, their main vision has remained: helping food companies tell their stories and connect with the right audiences. “The past 20 years have been an incredible journey, and I’m so proud of how our family business has grown and evolved,” said A

article thumbnail

‘Induction Cooking Improves Food Quality and also the Quality of Life for Chefs and Staff’

Modern Restaurant Management

Chatham University and the American Culinary Federation (ACF) are debuting a trio of online courses offering official certification in induction cooking methods. Sales of induction stoves are on the rise in the U.S., representing 18 percent of sales in 2023. Last year, the global induction cooktops market was valued at more than $9B, and is expected to surpass $15B by 2032. “Induction reduces the environmental impact of cooking, gives people effective ways to combat climate change, and div

article thumbnail

2025 Payroll Calendar Templates (Biweekly, Semi-Monthly, and Monthly)

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!

article thumbnail

How Better Cooking Oil Management Enhances Efficiency and Reduces Costs

Modern Restaurant Management

At this time of year, restaurant operators often search for ways to be more efficient, reduce costs and be more profitable. To learn more about how cooking oil management can help with this goal, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to John Michals, COO of Filta Environmental Kitchen Services. What are common misconceptions restaurant operators have regarding the impact of cooking oil on sustainability?

article thumbnail

2025: The Year of Contradictions in the Restaurant Industry

Modern Restaurant Management

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

2025 323
article thumbnail

Best Practices for Dealing with Fluctuating Food Costs

Modern Restaurant Management

Successfully navigating fluctuating food costs, especially with volatile ingredients like eggs, requires a multi-faceted approach, Mike Stasko Jr., Vice President of Brand Strategy for Sunny Street Cafe, tells Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine. By combining proactive planning, strategic menu adjustments, operational efficiency, and strong vendor relationships, businesses can effectively manage these challenges while prioritizing customer satisfaction and food safety.

article thumbnail

From Empty Tables to Full House: Expert Advice on Avoiding Restaurant No Shows

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurant no-shows are a silent killer of hospitality profits. No-shows plague the UK hospitality industry, with 12-14 percent of restaurant reservations going unfulfilled, resulting in an estimated £17.6 billion in annual revenue losses, according to Zonal and CGA's GO Technology report. The research also highlights that the 18-34 age group is the most frequent offender, creating significant financial challenges for restaurants and venues.

Book 385
article thumbnail

Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

article thumbnail

Are You Prepared for an ICE Raid? What Every Restaurant Needs to Know

Modern Restaurant Management

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified its focus on industries that employ large numbers of undocumented workers, and restaurants remain a top target. The question isn’t if ICE will show up—it’s when. And when that moment comes, will your team know what to do? Recent enforcement actions highlight the severe consequences businesses face for non-compliance.

Audits 83
article thumbnail

Turning Your Outdoor Spaces into Winter Havens

Modern Restaurant Management

Winter is here, and patios that once buzzed with life are now feeling the chill. Just a few weeks ago, they were alive with laughter and conversation, but without the right preparation, these valuable spaces — and your revenue — could face a long, cold, quiet winter season. For many restaurateurs and brewery managers, outdoor patios and beer gardens are key moneymakers during warmer months.

Outdoor 386
article thumbnail

Are You a Manager or Leader? Here’s How to Tell and Why It Matters

Modern Restaurant Management

Leadership and management are terms often used interchangeably, but they’re far from the same. Each requires distinct skills and mindsets that play critical roles in a restaurant’s success. While managers excel at planning, organizing, and maintaining day-to-day stability, leaders inspire, innovate, and challenge the status quo to drive change.

article thumbnail

How to Hire Gen Z for Your Restaurant

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurant operators listen up: by 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber all other generations in the workforce by 18 million. If your "Help Wanted" sign and job board posts aren't cutting it anymore, there's a good reason why. Think about your last round of hiring. You probably received a decent volume of applications, you spent money boosting the ads, yet you’re left still looking for quality.

Hiring 333
article thumbnail

Food & Beverage Industry Report 2024

Driven by a diverse and exciting ecosystem of passionate, ambitious, and often young entrepreneurs, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector is a highly competitive environment full of immense challenges and exciting opportunities. Expert Market’s 2024 industry report, sponsored by Toast, is informed by a survey of 522 U.S. food and beverage professionals, from restaurant owners to food service managers, providing insights into the real-time challenges and opportunities within the industry.