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Fill your tables: Introducing Yelp Guest Manager’s Booking Links feature

Let the rezzies roll in with Yelp’s new Booking Links functionality, which lets you put your Yelp reservation URL anywhere on the internet.

How to use Booking Links to attract more diners: Restaurant owners working on a tablet

Latest articles

Increase restaurant holiday sales: couple clinking their glasses of wine

7 smart ways to increase restaurant holiday sales

Sometimes holidays can be slow days, but these tips on how to increase restaurant holiday sales should put your staff in the weeds.
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How to use Booking Links to attract more diners: Restaurant owners working on a tablet

Fill your tables: Introducing Yelp Guest Manager’s Booking Links feature

The easier online booking is, the more customers you’ll have doing it. Until now, users of Yelp Guest Manager have had Yelp, Google, and Apple Maps as options for offering reservations. But now, Yelp lets you list tables anywhere you want on the internet. So, if you’re looking to beef up your online presence and […]
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Increase restaurant reservations using social media: manager using a laptop

10 ways to increase restaurant reservations using social media

Start seeing an increase in restaurant reservations with these social media tactics, from video ideas to contests to how to market events.
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Restaurant branding for social media: waiter happily looking at a tablet

Tips for restaurant branding for social media (with examples)

Nail your restaurant branding for social media with this guide to developing a brand personality and translating that to engaging content.
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Restaurant online visibility: head of a restaurant using a laptop

Starter steps to excellent restaurant online visibility

From social media to website building to SEO practices to responding to reviews, consider this your easy restaurant online visibility guide.
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ChatGPT for restaurants: Transform your business with AI

When growing your business, time is the most precious commodity, which is why I’m so excited about the new AI tools out there. Used correctly, AI can handle hundreds of mundane, difficult projects and tasks, from writing social media scripts to creating menus. But most people don’t know how to use it.  Skip the article […]
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Restaurant branding: people eating pizza

11 restaurant branding ideas for a strong business presence

Your restaurant branding lets you stand out from competitors, build up brand loyalty with your regulars, and attract curious new customers.
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Kid friendly restaurant ideas: boy holding a piece of paper at a restaurant

Kid-friendly restaurant ideas to make families happy

Are you counting out kids without realizing it? These kid-friendly restaurant ideas will help you appeal to a huge customer base: families.
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Leverage brand partnerships to skyrocket your restaurant’s success

If you know me, you know I’m all about finding innovative ways to elevate our industry. Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite marketing strategies: leveraging strategic partnerships to boost your restaurant’s brand equity. This isn’t just theory—it’s a tried and tested strategy that has worked wonders for me and many others. […]
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EXP_MAR2025_H1Shoot_Restaurant_GroupDiners_27

Busy buzz: Proven strategies to pack your restaurant nightly

Running a successful restaurant is more than just serving great food—it’s about creating a vibe that attracts and retains customers. A bustling restaurant not only draws new customers but also reassures them that they are in the right place for a good experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the business of “busy.” Skip the article […]
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Restaurant bar design: modern interior of a resto bar

Restaurant bar design ideas to turn customers into regulars

A bar can be more than just a spot for drinking. Elevate guest experience, staff efficiency, and mood with these restaurant bar design ideas.
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Restaurant kitchen design: chef plating a dish

Get the most out of your restaurant kitchen design

Design goes beyond the dining room. Your restaurant kitchen design impacts everything from back-of-house workflow to health and safety.
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Restaurant social media marketing: woman using a laptop

7 easy & effective restaurant social media marketing tactics

If your restaurant social media marketing is lacking or nonexistent, try these four sure-fire tactics to get your profiles on point.
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Gamify your onboarding and management process

Do you remember your first restaurant onboarding experience? If it was anything like mine, you were probably thrown into the deep end. In my 20 years of experience as a restaurant owner and operator, I can tell you confidently that the greatest expense I ever overcame was employee retention. Mastering the art of onboarding and […]
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H1Shoot_Restaurant_FoodPrep_08

The painless way to increase prices

As a fellow restaurant owner or operator, you’re probably all too familiar with the challenges of maintaining and scaling profitability. One common mistake we make is focusing solely on increasing volume without addressing the underlying issue of profit margins. Revenue is a validity metric–profitability is freedom. If you’re not netting at least a 15% profit […]
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EXP_MAR2025_H1Shoot_Restaurant_GroupDiners_26 (2)

The art of becoming a busy restaurant

Opening a restaurant is like setting sail in uncharted waters. For most of us, the goal is to become more than just a place to eat… it’s to become the place to be. The truth is that achieving that bustling vibe where guests are happy to wait an hour for a table is a nuanced […]
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Restaurant design: bar area of a restaurant

18 restaurant design tips for newbies

Planning the layout, look, and feel of your restaurant? Here are the best restaurant design ideas to create a practical, beautiful space.
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Restaurant seasonality: couples clinking their glasses

Making restaurant seasonality work for you (and customers)

Here are some ways restaurant owners can make their business steady all year & how to tailor restaurant operations to specific times of year.
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Restaurant ideas: group of friends happily eating at a restaurant

10 simple yet powerful restaurant ideas

Get unstuck and make your eatery concept come to life with this list of restaurant ideas that anyone can use to make their restaurant better.
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Restaurant patio ideas: friends eating at an outdoor restaurant

9 restaurant patio ideas to liven up your outdoor space

With these year-round restaurant patio ideas for everything from planning your space to promoting it, you can increase revenue & visibility.
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Market restaurant to tourists: customers waiting in line outside a restaurant

Simple but effective ways to market a restaurant to tourists

Learn how to market your restaurant to tourists by tailoring your menu, service, and ambiance to make out-of-towners feel compelled to visit.
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Graduation party restaurant: mother and daughter hugging each other

Graduation parties: A restaurant’s guide to getting it right

Set the stage for graduates to feel celebrated & families to feel taken care of with this guide to graduation parties for restaurant owners.
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Restaurant menu design: group of people looking at the menu

10 simple yet effective restaurant menu design tips

From colors to visuals to layout, these restaurant menu design tips are easy to use right away and will make a big impact on your sales.
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Summer menu ideas for restaurants: varieties of food on a table

Summer menu & marketing ideas for restaurants

Refresh your warm-weather offerings with these summer menu ideas for restaurants. We’ll give you ideas to market your summer setup, too.
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Graduation dinner restaurants: group of friends having a toast

Graduation dinner ideas for restaurants: Menus & marketing

Graduation dinners don’t have to be stressful for your restaurant. Use these tips to craft effortless menus and a smooth dining experience.
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Latest articles

Restaurant partnerships: group of friends talking to each other at a restaurant

5 types of restaurant partnerships to start building

Learn strategic ways to form restaurant partnerships with breweries, farmers, charities, artists, restaurant groups, & even local government.

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Seasonal menu: 2 people having a toast

Spice up your dining experiences with a seasonal menu

A seasonal menu is a fun way to keep diners coming back! From local fare to themed drinks, try these ideas to freshen up your menu offerings.

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waiter taking orders from a couple

Service charge vs tip: Pros and cons for restaurants

Should you add a service charge at your restaurant, or is a tip sufficient? This service charge vs tip guide will help you make the call.

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Waitress talking to business owner at a restaurant and showing him something on a digital tablet

The ultimate restaurant social media guide: telling a story that sells

Social media is an essential aspect of promoting and growing your restaurant business. Learn how to scale awareness and drive new customers.

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Third-party delivery services: person checking his delivery via a mobile app

How to use third-party delivery services: Pros and cons

Should you use third-party delivery services or go in-house to get your food to hungry customers? Get the benefits and risks in this guide.

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A server takes orders from a pair of guests at an outdoor restaurant table

How to increase restaurant gift card sales in 4 simple steps

Gift card marketing is a powerful tool for scaling your restaurant’s revenue. Learn how to scale gift card sales.

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Mothers day brunch: different kinds of food on a table

Mother’s Day brunch ideas to serve at your restaurant

Families flock to restaurants on Mother’s Day. This guide to serving Mother’s Day brunch will ensure your joint is buzzing on the big day.

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Waiter talking to a diner during a soft opening

How a soft opening could make your restaurant launch easier

What is a soft opening? Find out why hosting a soft launch is a good call for many restaurateurs and how to pull the event off successfully.

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Woman taking a selfie with her mom on Mother's Day

14 Mother’s Day ideas for restaurants: specials, promos, dishes

Prep your space for moms and their hungry families with these restaurant Mother’s Day specials, including food ideas and marketing tips.

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Restaurant technology: cashier using a POS system

11 Restaurant Technology Trends That Are Here to Stay

We’re huge fans of these restaurant technology trends that make ordering, waitlists, and takeout easier for both the guests and the staff.

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An influencer takes a selfie with her family at a restaurant.

How to create an influencer marketing campaign for your restaurant

Learn how to recruit brand ambassadors with massive networks that will gladly share your restaurant with their audience.

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Restaurant sustainability: chef plating a dish

10 restaurant sustainability tips you can use right away

Here are tangible ways you can work toward running a sustainable restaurant and why it’s not just good for the planet—it’s good for business.

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Renovate restaurant: person renovating a store

Renovate restaurants right: Revamp, refresh, reward

When you renovate restaurants, the possibilities are endless. Use this guide to learn the ins-and-outs of revamping your business smartly.

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Restaurant QR code: person scanning a QR codes

Why restaurant QR codes save you time and money

Restaurant QR codes are everywhere! Find out everything you need to know about the pros and cons of using these codes in your establishment.

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Food trends 2022: chef plating a dish

Food trends 2022: What was in this year in the restaurant industry

From culinary fusions to sustainability to new restaurant technology, get our recap of all the food trends 2022 had to offer.

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Restaurant automation: human hand and a robot hand holding a burger

Practical ways to use restaurant automation to increase profits

Restaurant automation isn’t just robots making food. Consider these helpful automation tools to supercharge your operations and your profits.

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Funding for a restaurant: restaurant owner putting up an OPENING SOON sign

4 ways to get funding for a restaurant

It’s daunting to get funding for a restaurant. Use our guide to take the guesswork out of getting started with four options to secure funds.

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Hospitality Everywhere: Restaurant KPIs for digital success

In 2023, measuring & growing customer lifetime value (CLV) will separate you from the pack. Get four proven tactics to increase CLV in our latest guide.

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Restaurant staffing shortage: chef preparing a meal

The best ways to deal with restaurant staffing shortages

Learn how to deal with restaurant staffing shortages. We have tips to help you prepare for a shortage, so you can stay ahead of the impacts.

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Food trends 2022: chef plating a dish

Food trends 2022: What was in this year in the restaurant industry

From culinary fusions to sustainability to new restaurant technology, get our recap of all the food trends 2022 had to offer.

Read the article
Restaurant QR code: person scanning a QR codes

Why restaurant QR codes save you time and money

Restaurant QR codes are everywhere! Find out everything you need to know about the pros and cons of using these codes in your establishment.

Read the article
Funding for a restaurant: restaurant owner putting up an OPENING SOON sign

4 ways to get funding for a restaurant

It’s daunting to get funding for a restaurant. Use our guide to take the guesswork out of getting started with four options to secure funds.

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Loyalty program restaurant: woman holding a credit card

Better than punch cards: Digital loyalty programs restaurants should use instead

Learn the best ways to incentivize repeat customers with our guide to digital loyalty programs restaurants should use instead of punch cards.

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Restaurant staffing shortage: chef preparing a meal

The best ways to deal with restaurant staffing shortages

Learn how to deal with restaurant staffing shortages. We have tips to help you prepare for a shortage, so you can stay ahead of the impacts.

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Restaurant food waste: waiter throwing leftover food into a trash bin

Reducing restaurant food waste is good for business and more

From composting to food donations, learn strategies to reduce your restaurant food waste that benefit both your business and your community.

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Social media marketing for restaurants: group of friends happily using their phones at a cafe

Create demand with social media marketing for restaurants

From the platforms to be on to the best practices for creating content, learn how to use social media marketing for restaurants.

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Waiter doing inventory

Five restaurant inventory management tips that boost business

Implement 5 best practices of inventory management to create smoother FOH and BOH operations.

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Restaurant interior design: group of friends ordering food

Four key elements of great restaurant interior design

Create an interior design guide and understand why it matters, how to implement it, and tips for different budgets.

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Restaurant mission statement: entrepreneurs discussing and looking at a laptop

What’s a restaurant mission statement? Why do you need one?

Find out why you should have a restaurant mission statement, how to craft one, and get inspired by real-world examples.

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Restaurant concepts: customer using a tablet at a restaurant

6 successful and rewarding restaurant concepts

Learn about the 6 most popular restaurant concepts. Which is right for your restaurant?

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What is a soft opening: waiters arranging chairs and tables at a restaurant

What is a soft opening of a restaurant? How does it help?

Find out why hosting a soft launch is appropriate for many restaurateurs and how to pull the event off successfully.

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SWOT analysis for restaurants: colleagues having a meeting at a restaurant

SWOT analysis for restaurants: an industry-specific guide

SWOT analysis for restaurants can clear a pathway to success. Our guide defines what SWOT analysis is and how to use it to your advantage.

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Restaurant advertisement: barista standing beside a blackboard with their menu written on it

10 restaurant advertisement ideas that attract diners

Try these 5 fresh takes on traditional restaurant advertisements and 5 more online advertising ideas to attract new and loyal diners alike.

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How to start a bar: bartender smiling at a camera

A helpful guide on how to start a bar

So you want to know how to start a bar. From legal structure to liquor licensing, our guide helps aspiring bar owners get answers they need.

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Manager teaching her staff different types of restaurant-standard glasses

Create restaurant standards that empower and engage staff 

Take your operations to the next level: Follow our guide to creating restaurant standards that empower employees and harmonize your team.

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Equipment for restaurant: restaurant kitchen

Equipment for restaurants that lead to better operations

From cooking and cleaning equipment to technological solutions, follow our guide about what equipment for restaurants improves operations.

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Meet the Y4R Team: entrepreneurs discussing something that’s shown on a laptop

Meet the Yelp for Restaurants team

Take an inside look at the professionals that bring their experience and talents to the table as you meet the Yelp for Restaurants team.

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How to prepare your restaurant for Spring: happy waiter serving food to a group of friends

How to prepare your restaurant for spring: 7 unique ideas

Spring cleaning season is the perfect excuse to revamp your establishment. Find out how to prepare your restaurant for spring with these seven timely tips.

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How restaurants can fight inflation: man writing while using his phone

How restaurants can fight inflation: Return to your roots

As global events affect the restaurant industry, key strategies make all the difference. Here’s how restaurants can fight inflation.

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Online restaurant reservation system: waiter on the phone

Which online restaurant reservation system is the most cost-effective?

Compare the prices of top online restaurant reservation systems. We’ll give you a fair price breakdown for OpenTable, Resy, Tock, and Yelp.

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Lessons From a Restaurateur: exterior of Canlis' restaurant

Conversation with Mark Canlis: Lessons from a restaurateur

Dig into this interview with Mark Canlis, owner of Canlis Restaurant. We talked about hiring, tipping, work-life balance, and more.

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Restaurant events: waiter serving drinks

Fresh ideas for booking restaurant events in your space

Boost your visibility by hosting restaurant events for your diners. This guide will give you tons of ideas for what to host & how to host it.

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Sustainable restaurant: 100% recycled napkin

Is it time to join the sustainable restaurant revolution?

Here’s what it takes to run a sustainable restaurant and why it’s not just good for the planet—it’s good for business.

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Restaurant costs: restaurant staff using the POS

How to manage your rising restaurant costs

Rising restaurant costs are affecting profitability across the food service industry. Here are changes you can make to survive and thrive.

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Third party delivery services: delivery man delivering food in paper bags

Third party delivery services: Pros and cons [2022]

Should you use third party delivery services or go in-house to get your food to hungry customers? Get the benefits and risks in this guide.

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Restaurant branding: storefront concept of a bakery

Why restaurant branding might be easier than you imagined

Get ideas for restaurant branding without hiring a designer. Whether your restaurant is new or needs a refresh, these ideas will help.

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Restaurant email marketing: woman at a cafe using her phone

Restaurant email marketing tips and strategies for 2022

Refine your restaurant’s email marketing plan with this guide on how to entice hungry customers to read your communications.

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Valentines Day restaurant promotion: gift, wine and heart-shaped chocolates

Valentine’s Day restaurant promotions: Menus, marketing & more

Find some reliable ideas for Valentine’s Day restaurant promotion geared toward couples, Galentine’s Day parties, and single people alike.

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The top three trending cuisines by city: person taking photos of his food

Top 3 trending cuisines by city: U.S. food trends for restaurant owners

Restaurant owners should know the most popular cuisines in 10 big cities in America. There’s one cuisine that made it onto every city’s list.

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Restaurant P&L: cafe owners going through bills

Everything restaurant owners need to know about profit and loss statements

If you’re a busy restaurant owner who needs an easy-to-understand guide to profit and loss statements, you’ve come to the right place.

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Yelp vs Wisely: restaurant staff wiping a glass

Yelp vs. Wisely: Everything you need to know

If you’re debating over Yelp vs. Wisely, discover the benefits and the ways each platform can best streamline your restaurant management.

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Woman interviews with man at a restaurant

12 tips on how to attract employees during a labor shortage

Implement these changes to make a big difference in recruitment. Here’s how to attract employees to your restaurant during a labor shortage.

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Dine in vs takeout trends: man handing a paper bag to a customer

Dine in vs. takeout trends: Restaurant industry stats for 2021

There are four main dine in vs. takeout trends in the restaurant industry right now. Learn more so you can keep your restaurant up to date.

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Restaurant seating: dining hall of a restaurant

The owner’s guide to restaurant seating and table management

Learn the four factors to consider when planning your restaurant seating as well as which seating style is appropriate for your restaurant.

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Woman taking a takeout order to boost restaurant off premise sales in fall and winter

Boost restaurant off-premise sales in fall and winter

In a rut for how to keep profits up during a seasonal dip? Here are 5 tips for how to boost restaurant off-premise sales in fall and winter.

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How much does it cost to open a restaurant: waiter serving a group of friends

How much does it cost to open a restaurant?

Learn how much it costs to open a restaurant for the main categories: rent, licenses/permits, kitchen/dining room equipment, and staffing.

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Restaurant holiday rush: waiter taking the order of a group of friends

Handling the restaurant holiday rush with fewer staff

Prepare for the restaurant holiday rush this year with strategies and tools to make it easier for everyone involved, even with limited staff.

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Restaurant business plan: happy cafe owner

5 sections you need in a restaurant business plan

Here are the essentials to put in your restaurant business plan. We’ll set you up for success with 5 key sections and what goes in them.

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Food cost percentage: happy couple about to pay their restaurant bill

How flexible restaurant owners manage food cost percentage

Is your restaurant’s food cost percentage in the right zone? Learn how to calculate it, manage it, and optimize it for higher profits.

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Restaurant automation: robot hand handing a burger to a human hand

How to use restaurant automation (in practical ways) to increase profits

Restaurant automation doesn’t have to mean robots making food. There are ways to supercharge your operations with helpful automation tools.

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