Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry in the United States

BentoBox Celebrates its Second National Restaurant Workers Day, Unveiling a Partnership with Renowned Pastry Chef Caroline Schiff, a State of Tipping Report, James Beard Foundation Grant Recipients, and More

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BentoBox, the Official Restaurant Technology Partner of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), today announced its second annual National Restaurant Workers Day (NRWD), commencing on October 24 in partnership with Gage & Tollner Executive Pastry Chef Caroline Schiff. BentoBox is issuing a call to action for communities to take care of local restaurant workers and provide them with support and camaraderie ahead of the year-end rush.

Key Points: 
  • As the restaurant industry recovers and evolves this year, its workers continue to grapple with tipping fatigue from consumers, ongoing staffing shortages, and inflation.
  • As a result, BentoBox is partnering with multiple industry personalities to provide resources and mentorship for workers and industry professionals.
  • "BentoBox and the James Beard Foundation share a common goal in celebrating, supporting, and elevating independent restaurants and restaurant workers.
  • To learn more about National Restaurant Workers Day and the BentoBox Tipping Report, please visit https://www.getbento.com/national-restaurant-workers-day/ or https://restauranttipping.getbento.com .

Greenberg Traurig Adds Former Hakkasan Group General Counsel Brandon Roos

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP strengthened its global Hospitality and Restaurant Industry practices with the addition of Shareholder Brandon Roos, who re-joined the firm's Las Vegas office.

Key Points: 
  • LAS VEGAS, Oct. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP strengthened its global Hospitality and Restaurant Industry practices with the addition of Shareholder Brandon Roos , who re-joined the firm's Las Vegas office .
  • Roos was most recently in-house counsel at hospitality, restaurant, and nightlife powerhouses Hakkasan Group and TAO Group, launching the general counsel role for the former and managing legal matters for a portfolio of more than 60 restaurant, nightlife, and lounge venues worldwide.
  • He helped guide Hakkasan during a period of significant growth, including doubling its global restaurant footprint.
  • The broad responsibilities of a general counsel equipped Roos with diverse experience critical for companies expanding globally and those in the hospitality and nightlife industries.

SpotOn Gives Restaurants Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluate & Invest in Tech in 2024

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

SpotOn , the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants, today released the Restaurant Tech Assessment Checklist , a guide for restaurant owners and operators to evaluate their current technology and streamline their tech investments in 2024.

Key Points: 
  • SpotOn , the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants, today released the Restaurant Tech Assessment Checklist , a guide for restaurant owners and operators to evaluate their current technology and streamline their tech investments in 2024.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003265024/en/
    SpotOn releases the Restaurant Tech Assessment Checklist, a guide for restaurant owners and operators to evaluate their current technology and streamline their tech investments in 2024.
  • “SpotOn technology is designed to make an operator’s life easier, ensuring that the technology gives restaurants peace of mind, not headaches.”
    As operators plan for 2024, finding a true technology partner is essential.
  • Complemented by 24/7/365 support from Restaurant Success Managers who know restaurants, SpotOn technology is built to drive restaurant efficiency, boost profit, and improve the employee experience.

First Watch Names Matt Eisenacher Chief Brand Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

BRADENTON, Fla., Sept. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWRG) (“First Watch” or the “Company”), the leading Daytime Dining concept serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, today announced the promotion of Matt Eisenacher to Chief Brand Officer.

Key Points: 
  • BRADENTON, Fla., Sept. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWRG) (“First Watch” or the “Company”), the leading Daytime Dining concept serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, today announced the promotion of Matt Eisenacher to Chief Brand Officer.
  • He previously served as Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Innovation at First Watch, spearheading a number of initiatives aimed at growing brand awareness, defining brand positioning and implementing demand generation strategies.
  • “Matt is a proven leader who shares our values, understands our mission and believes in our vision, and we could not be prouder to have him take on the role of Chief Brand Officer,” said Chris Tomasso, First Watch CEO and President.
  • Prior to joining First Watch in 2019, he served as Chief Concept Officer for Piada Italian Street Food, a fast-casual Italian restaurant concept.

Toast Launches Catering & Events Platform to Help Restaurants Streamline Event Management, Improve Guest Experience, and Thrive

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Toast (NYSE: TOST), the all-in-one technology platform built for restaurants, today announced the launch of Toast Catering & Events, a new product fully integrated with the Toast point-of-sale (POS) to help restaurants seamlessly manage large catering orders and event planning.

Key Points: 
  • Toast (NYSE: TOST), the all-in-one technology platform built for restaurants, today announced the launch of Toast Catering & Events, a new product fully integrated with the Toast point-of-sale (POS) to help restaurants seamlessly manage large catering orders and event planning.
  • Toast Catering & Events supports customizable banquet event orders (BEO), fulfillment tools, and lead management functionality.
  • With Toast Catering & Events, we brought the entire catering and event order management lifecycle — from invoicing to inventory management and accounting — into the Toast platform.
  • Additionally, the Toast Catering & Events platform allows restaurants to:
    Customize for every occasion: The Catering & Events platform is designed to keep guests satisfied through each step of the planning and execution process.

The Inner Circle Acknowledges, Joseph C. Baker as a Distinguished Business Professional for his contributions to the Restaurant Industry

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023

ZANESVILLE, Ohio, May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Joseph C. Baker is acknowledged as a Distinguished Business Professional for his contributions to the Restaurant Industry.

Key Points: 
  • ZANESVILLE, Ohio, May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Joseph C. Baker is acknowledged as a Distinguished Business Professional for his contributions to the Restaurant Industry.
  • A revered entrepreneur, Mr. Baker entered the restaurant business in 1977 when he joined Tom's Ice Cream Bowl as a dishwasher.
  • Over the course of time, Mr. Baker was posted as a clerk, an assistant manager, and a manager of the restaurant.
  • Reaching the pinnacle of entrepreneurship, Mr. Baker purchased Tom's Ice Cream Bowl in 2019 and oversees daily business operations and ice cream production.

SpotOn Identifies Opportunities to Cut Costs and Boost Revenue for Restaurants Battling Inflation and Labor Challenges

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

As the Report’s presenting sponsor, SpotOn has outlined opportunities for restaurant operators to cut costs, carve out new revenue streams, and increase guest loyalty.

Key Points: 
  • As the Report’s presenting sponsor, SpotOn has outlined opportunities for restaurant operators to cut costs, carve out new revenue streams, and increase guest loyalty.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230228005479/en/
    SpotOn Identifies Opportunities to Cut Costs and Boost Revenue for Restaurants Battling Inflation and Labor Challenges (Photo: Business Wire)
    “At SpotOn, we make it our business to deeply understand the challenges facing restaurants and small businesses," said Kevin Bryla, Chief Marketing Officer of SpotOn.
  • Tools that drive revenue will be crucial to restaurant profitability in a year where 90% of operators say inflation poses a big challenge for their restaurants.
  • Similarly, with 89% of operators citing labor costs as a concern, a comprehensive labor management tool like SpotOn Teamwork can help optimize schedules.

A New Normal Takes Hold; Restaurants Focused on Paths to Continued Growth in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Restaurant Association released its 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry report, which examines key factors impacting the industry including the current state of the economy, operations, workforce, and food and menu trends to forecast sales and market trends for the year ahead. The report is an authoritative look at the industry and its opportunities based on a range of national surveys of restaurant owners, operators, chefs, and consumers.

Key Points: 
  • Rising costs create challenges: 92% of operators say the cost of food is a significant issue for their restaurant.
  • Competition is heating up: In 2023, 47% of operators expect competition to be more intense than last year.
  • Only 1 in 10 operators think recruiting and retaining employees will be easier in 2023 than it was in 2022.
  • Click here to download the 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, supported by SpotOn and Sage.

Wetzel's Pretzels Makes Franchise Ownership More Accessible for Women and Minorities Through Access to Equity Program

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 23, 2023

PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wetzel's Pretzels (Wetzel's) is aiming to make franchise ownership more accessible for women and ethnic minorities. Through the creation of its Wetzel's Pretzels Access to Equity Program, the brand strives to create a pathway to ownership, providing financial discounts, as well as educational and mentorship opportunities to underrepresented candidates from all backgrounds. The program launch, coupled with the brand's targeted recruitment efforts, showcases its commitment to inclusion for all qualified candidates.

Key Points: 
  • Through the creation of its Wetzel's Pretzels Access to Equity Program , the brand strives to create a pathway to ownership, providing financial discounts, as well as educational and mentorship opportunities to underrepresented candidates from all backgrounds.
  • The program launch, coupled with the brand's targeted recruitment efforts, showcases its commitment to inclusion for all qualified candidates.
  • "While our pretzels are a delicious treat, they represent something bigger to our franchisees, and that is a dream of entrepreneurship coming to fruition," said Schuler.
  • The Access to Equity Program strives to provide participants with the tools and resources needed to achieve long-term success.

Toast Teams Up with Google to Launch a New Ordering Channel to Help Restaurants Meet Guests Where They Are

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Toast (NYSE: TOST), the all-in-one digital platform built for restaurants, today announced the Order with Google integration that allows restaurants using Toast Online Ordering to unlock a new channel for more orders.

Key Points: 
  • Toast (NYSE: TOST), the all-in-one digital platform built for restaurants, today announced the Order with Google integration that allows restaurants using Toast Online Ordering to unlock a new channel for more orders.
  • Order with Google is fully integrated with the Toast Point of Sale (POS) and is seamless for restaurant owners and guests alike.
  • “We are thrilled to collaborate with Google to help Toast customers maximize their online presence and take control of their ordering channels.
  • With millions of restaurant guests searching for restaurants online, this new collaboration with Order with Google allows Toast restaurants to activate an important new channel and drive awareness by tapping Google Search and Maps as an efficient ordering channel and marketing engine.