Continue to Site >>>

Independent Restaurants

Operations

Why some indies aren’t ready to ditch safety protocols and party like it’s 2019

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 04, 2022

Despite the lifting of mask and vaccine mandates in many places, some operators say they’re sticking with their COVID-cautious practices—at least for now.

Operations

The reincarnation of the all-day restaurant

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 02, 2022

Call them modern diners, cafe-bar hybrids or neighborhood hangouts, restaurants that operate from breakfast through late night are having their moment post-pandemic.

Operations

How The Wiener's Circle became a Chicago icon by slinging insults with its char-dogs

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 24, 2022

The inside story of a hot dog stand that has become a social media favorite, thanks to the unique way it deals with customers and passersby.

Operations

Multiconcept operator Ark Restaurants shows how distant 'normal' might be

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 17, 2022

Sales at its huge high-end restaurants are still only a fraction of what they were pre-pandemic, while galloping costs shrink the bottom line.

Marketing

Marketing Bites: Chicago indies band together on dining promo

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 16, 2022

Plus, Dunkin’ gets in on the NCAA athlete partnership action, McDonald’s teases the annual return of its minty-green treat, and more.

Operations

Some operators shift away from shift drinks

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 01, 2022

Whether because of a greater focus on mental health, a desire to boost professionalism or a need to bolster the bottom line, some restaurants are doing away with a long-standing tradition.

Operations

Without aid, indies are facing bankruptcy, new survey says

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 14, 2022

Independent operators are being pushed to the brink and are taking on mounting personal debt, according to survey results released by the Independent Restaurant Coalition, which is pressing Congress for more funding.

Marketing

Winter Restaurant Weeks are getting underway, with some tweaks in place for 2022

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 13, 2022

With flexibility the focus, organizers are optimistic that this annual promotion will bring people back to dining rooms despite the ongoing pandemic.

Operations

Martha Stewart gets into the restaurant business

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 05, 2022

The multi-media lifestyle guru is slated to open her first full-service restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart, in Las Vegas this spring.

Operations

COVID surge shuts down restaurants yet again

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 04, 2022

This time, operators simply can’t find enough healthy employees to staff their kitchens and dining rooms for service as the highly contagious omicron variant runs like wildfire through restaurants.

  • Page 17