Could migrants be the answer to New York's restaurant labor shortage?

Apr 19, 2024
Hospitality businesses say they want working visas for migrants to be fast-tracked as they struggle to fill job vacancies.
Hundreds of asylum seekers lined up outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City in June. Restaurants want to put them to work.
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How fast casual restaurants pick new locations

Apr 16, 2024
"There's a lot of science and a little bit of art" involved in finding the perfect place, a Chipotle executive says.
Shake Shack has cracked the code on scouting locations, says hospitality consultant Talia Berman.
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Casual restaurant chains like Olive Garden see declining sales

Mar 26, 2024
Darden Restaurants, which owns chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, had its first same-store sales decline since the pandemic.
Casual chains like Olive Garden don't typically lure in higher-income customers, but also aren't the most affordable option for lower-income households.
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Good luck booking that big birthday dinner

Mar 13, 2024
Alina Dizik wrote in The Wall Street Journal about why some restaurants don't want parties of six or more people.
Bigger tables are harder on kitchens and servers, and they're not always welcomed. You may have better luck at less trendy eateries or at off-hours.
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The fees war between retailers and credit card companies is heating up

Feb 26, 2024
Merchants paid $126 billion in credit card fees in 2022, up 20% from the year before. The pushback is playing out in lobbying campaigns and Congress.
Merchants from gas stations to ice cream shops to Amazon have complained about credit card fees and contracts, and many are lobbying for credit card regulation.
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Diners aren't going to steakhouses just for the steak anymore

Feb 19, 2024
Some steakhouses are changing their menus and venues to accommodate new consumer preferences.
Some people like going to steakhouses for the vibe or ambiance, not just the steaks, says journalist Alina Dizik.
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What drove the strong growth in GDP at the end of 2023? Consumer spending.

Jan 25, 2024
Nostalgia, cold weather and an uptick in business travel have been good news for three Baltimore businesses.
The bump in GDP reflects increased consumer spending on goods and services.
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For public good, not for profit.

Expect restaurants to go all in on breakfast this year

Jan 18, 2024
Given inflation, consumers are leaning into eggs Benedict as a way to stick to their budgets and still treat themselves. And restaurants like brunch for its hearty profit margins.
Turns out more Americans are saying "Cheers!" to brunch and breakfast.
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Americans pulled back on restaurant spending in September, report says

Oct 4, 2023
Instead of $50 main courses, they're opting for sandwiches and other lower-priced items, say restaurants around the country.
Restaurant owners are reporting lower customer spending averages and fewer hours of operation.
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How to act as a responsible foodie

Diners have a responsibility to learn about the history of restaurants and the people behind them, says professor and author Pascale Joassart-Marcelli.
"I think that foodies have a responsibility ... to educate themselves and to reflect on the impacts of the consumption," said professor Pascale Joassart-Marcelli.
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