Waste is a major problem for restaurants of all sizes across America. This doesn’t just hurt your bottom line — as every ounce of food thrown away is a combination of ingredients you paid for — it’s also a major issue for the environment. Modern consumers are looking for businesses that are thoughtful in how
Not So Millennial: Restaurant Food Trends for Generation Z
The term “Millennials” gets thrown around a lot when discussing any food trends that fall outside of Baby Boomer interest. And it’s easy to think of Millennials as pretty much “anyone young,” but the reality is, the majority of Millennials are now in their late twenties and early thirties, with kids of their own. Now,
How to Make Your Happy Hour More Profitable
To the joy of many — and disappointment of others — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill yesterday legalizing Happy Hour in that state for the first time since 1989. The concept of short-term discounts, usually falling in those slower after-work hours, is so prevalent, everyone from Sonic Drive-Ins to upscale steakhouses uses the
5 Tips to Help You Strive for Sustainability
In the restaurant industry, trends come and go nearly as quick as customers during a dinner rush. But there is one buzzword floating around that you should definitely pay attention to: sustainability. At the recent National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, a panel of experts — including Kathleen Seeley, managing partner of Ricca Design Studios;
How Foodservice Trends Affect Your Back of House
As a restaurateur, you spend a lot of time trying to anticipate the next big consumer trend and how your business can capitalize on it. Most often, these changing tastes deal with new flavors, original preparations, and innovative presentations. Each change in what the customer sees and tastes, however, can have major effects on your
The Big Business of Business Diners, Part Two: Tips for Restaurants
You now know about the unique needs of the business diner, but how can you make your restaurant the perfect choice for their meetings? According to restaurant experts speaking at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, all it takes is a few tips — and a lot of relationship building. 1. Concentrate on
The Big Business of Business Diners, Part One: The Who’s Who
So you’ve got a good dinner crowd; you’ve set up a menu with the perfect mix of comfort and creativity; and you’ve got a big box of crayons on hand, to cater to any young foodies-in-training. Think you’ve got all your bases covered? Think again. There is one very important diner category that you may
How the Economy Affects the Restaurant Industry
It can’t be denied that the “foodie culture” has a significant influence on restaurants, but there is another force that has more consistently shaped the industry: the economy. In fact, restaurants wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for economic and political factors. The world’s first restaurants popped up in 18th century Paris when servants, newly unemployed
What You Need to Know about the Restaurant Industry
Understanding and keeping an eye on the economic landscape of the restaurant industry can be an integral part of managing your business. As a provider of financial and marketing services to the restaurant industry, Rewards Network has unique insights into the industry through the data we receive from over 10,000 restaurants. We also monitor the
