independents

Emerging Brands

Restaurant development surged to a new high in 2023

The data from the online dining guide Yelp shows that restaurants opened at a faster rate last year than they did in pre-pandemic 2019, led by Mexican restaurants and pubs.

Operations

Let the awards season begin: Here are the James Beard Foundation semifinalists

This is the first round of the Beard award season. Finalists will be named in April and the winners celebrated in June.

The list, which celebrates independents, is based on Yelp ratings, number of reviews and more. Vegetarian Latin restaurant Tumerico in Tucson, Ariz., took the No. 1 spot.

The digital catering marketplace has added new filters so customers can seek out restaurants run by people with diverse backgrounds.

A new Multi-Experience Tables tool gives operators more control and flexibility to make tables available for different types of bookings.

Lynch blames an "uncooperative landlord" for the closures. The reorganization also follows reports last year of a toxic work environment within the group, which now operates three remaining concepts.

Evan Funke is coming to Chicago; Stephen Starr has more planned for Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square; and M. Frances in Washington, D.C. promises to serve as a "think tank" for independent restaurants.

Gholam "Tony" Kowkabi and his wife admitted to spending Paycheck Protection and other relief aid on a condo, vacations and their kids' tuition.

Restaurateur Edouardo Jordan said he plans to take time off to recharge and find new projects. The James Beard Award-winning chef says he has made amends for earlier charges of sexual misconduct.

The PG&E Foundation and the California Restaurant Foundation will make $5,000 grants to 77 restaurants in Northern and Central California.

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