Recently, Nation’s Restaurant News and Technomic came out with the most influential restaurant groups in America. These represent the largest restaurant groups based on unit count—upscale and fine-dining multi-concept brands walking the fine line between operating as major chains and the independence of, well, independents. Let’s explore the top contenders and how they ascended. Tao… Continue reading Become Inspired by the Top Independent Restaurant Groups in America
Category: Emerging Concepts
Buying vs. Leasing Real Estate for Your Restaurant
Selecting the ideal location for a restaurant is a pivotal decision that can make or break its success. Yet, once you’ve decided to open a restaurant, another crucial choice looms large: Should you buy or lease the property? Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and your decision hinges on numerous factors, such as your financial… Continue reading Buying vs. Leasing Real Estate for Your Restaurant
Taking Your Restaurant to the Next Level
Taking your restaurant to the next level can seem like a daunting task. After all, where do you start? And, really, what does “the next level” even mean? For some, it’s measured in profits. For others, it revolves around increasing demand and expanding their footprint. Sometimes, it’s simply wanting to return to the excitement and… Continue reading Taking Your Restaurant to the Next Level
Optimizing Your Restaurant’s Supply Chain
Efficient supply chain management is the backbone of a successful restaurant operation. From sourcing ingredients to delivering delicious dishes to customers, every step in the supply chain plays a crucial role in your restaurant’s overall success. Optimizing this process can save costs, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance customer satisfaction. Step 1: Analyze and Understand… Continue reading Optimizing Your Restaurant’s Supply Chain
Becoming the Best New Restaurant in the World
Do you ever wonder how to make the “Best New Restaurants in the World” list? A daunting task, to say the least. The list, created by Condé Nast Traveller, is in its 27th year, sharing the world’s best restaurants since 1996. As George Bernard Shaw said, “Imitation is not just the sincerest from of flattery,… Continue reading Becoming the Best New Restaurant in the World
The Rise of the Multi-Concept Restaurant
There was a time when the theory behind restaurant expansion involved creating cloneable unit concepts so patrons could enjoy your brand no matter where they traveled and always know what to expect. Great service? Check. A slate of signature drinks that followed them no matter where they wandered? Check. Their favorite filet cooked perfectly with… Continue reading The Rise of the Multi-Concept Restaurant
Is it time for a Restaurant Upgrade?
I know. I feel your pain. The mere thought of an upgrade, whether remodeling a home or renovating a restaurant, can send shivers down the spine. And, while we’d like to think of this feeling as the excitement derived from anticipation, all too often it comes from uncertainty and a slight sense of dread. But… Continue reading Is it time for a Restaurant Upgrade?
A Conversation with Sterling Douglass, CEO of Chowly
Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Sterling Douglass, the co-founder and CEO of Chowly, a leading restaurant technology company. This brand has made incredible advancements in 2023, transforming the guest experience and the operator’s role in it. If you’re looking to expand, enter the digital age, streamline your POS integrations and off-premise… Continue reading A Conversation with Sterling Douglass, CEO of Chowly
Is 2023 the Year of the Restaurant IPO?
What happens when a restaurant that’s been operating at a loss for several years goes public? If you’re the restaurant chain Cava Group Inc., your shares rise 99%, creating one of the best trading debuts since 2021 and the sixth-largest of 2023. What prompted the explosion? Cava, a Mediterranean restaurant chain, demonstrated strong growth, shrinking… Continue reading Is 2023 the Year of the Restaurant IPO?
The 4 Ways Higher Interest Rates & Real Estate Inflation Are Affecting Restaurants
In February, the National Restaurant Association’s 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry Report found that 70% of operators felt that their restaurant’s conditions had settled into or were on the path to the “new normal.” Competition was heating up, and growth was expected to continue. And, while some of those expectations came to pass, the… Continue reading The 4 Ways Higher Interest Rates & Real Estate Inflation Are Affecting Restaurants