economy

U.S. consumer spending dips; inflation creeps up

The 0.1 percent slip in purchasing was the first decline in more than a year, but forecasters haven’t tempered predictions of a sharp upswing in economic activity. More alarm seemed to be raised by the spike in prices, the highest rise in the national inflation gauge since November 2012.

Keep the kids away

While Associate Editor Sara Rush wouldn't ban kids from restaurants outright, she makes the case that restaurants that welcome kids need to remember guests who prefer to dine without the pitter patter of little feet running around—and make accommodations that keep the peace.

Recent headlines spotlight restaurants that ban kids or offer discounts when they behave as they should. But Executive Editor Kelly Killian argues that good restaurants know how to serve both families and guests without kids equally well.

Don’t expect the industrywide decline in restaurant traffic to be reversed anytime soon, according to new data and analysis from Black Box Intelligence.

The restaurant industry took a slapping this week, at times from its own hand.

The way cattle are raised can influence the flavor and texture of the beef that you menu in your restaurant.

Reluctance to speak out on the issue signals uncertainty toward the casino industry, which has been presented as a savior for economically stagnant or depressed communities such as Detroit.

The burger chain recorded its seventh month without growth, blaming ongoing challenges. Among them: less traffic after it pared the items on its Dollar Menu last year.

Outsiders are clamoring for a say in what you and your staff should make. Business realities are absent from their prescriptions, but restaurants may not be blameless.

Business- crushing lawsuits and tedious rules have some operators debating whether it’s time to topple the practice of tipping completely.

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