The drive-thru industry is transforming. A booming convenience culture, super-charged by a pandemic, has given rise to consumers seeking ways to receive meals faster and with less friction. Yet at the same time, diners also crave a unique and high-quality dining experience. Operations, technologies, and even physical building structures are rapidly evolving to accommodate the… Read more »
Recently, a few restaurants have gained national attention for experimenting with something unheard of in the industry – a four-day workweek. While normalizing a better work-life balance is long overdue, a four-day workweek might feel too extreme for many restaurant operations. But with some creativity and clear communication, many restaurants can give their workers more… Read more »
As of December 28, 2021, the newest ruling of the Fair Labor and Standards Act by the Department of Labor, known as the “dual-jobs” rule, officially goes into effect. Like many government rulings, it is far from straightforward, even though it seeks to clear up confusion over previous policies. Here is a breakdown of how… Read more »
People don’t quit bad jobs, they quit bad bosses. This is on the tip of everyone’s tongue as employers scramble to stay staffed during “The Great Resignation.” And since the restaurant industry sees some of the highest rates of turnover, it makes one wonder: What makes a successful restaurant manager? Here are some common misconceptions… Read more »
It is that time of year again: everyone puts out their predictions for next year’s hottest restaurant trends. Which ingredients will top menus? What is the next big fad diet? What dining experiences will be hot? But many of these trend predictions leave out one of the most important aspects of a restaurant: the staff.… Read more »
For decades, the loyalty program has been a tried-and-true marketing tactic for the restaurant industry. But loyalty programs have evolved far beyond the simple punch card. With a bit of data management and creativity, restaurants can attract new customers, and existing customers can receive more meaningful perks. Here is how loyalty programs are truly a… Read more »
It is a recipe for a restaurant staffing disaster: A surplus of unfilled positions, not enough workers interested, and everybody competing for the same talent at once. It’s a reality for most restaurant managers, leaving them at a loss on how to recruit in this type of market. However, some restaurants have discovered effective incentives… Read more »
One positive development for the restaurant industry last year was that many states lifted restrictions for off-premise alcohol sales. While this was a short-term fix meant to help restaurants recoup some lost income during COVID, the change seems to be permanent in some places as the pandemic subsides. And since take-out ordering remains popular, restaurant… Read more »
The oldest members of Generation Z are fresh out of college, driven, and ready to make an impact on a business. But they have also already lived through two major economic downturns in their relatively short lives, making them more pragmatic than their Millennial predecessors. Entrepreneurially spirited, they will often have a side hustle, and… Read more »
With an average turnover rate of 75%, the restaurant industry has always been notorious for churning through workers. But add a pandemic and extra personal stresses, and the risk of losing valuable employees only goes up. Because of this, management should be able to spot the basic signs of burnout in staff: Physical Exhaustion Frequent… Read more »