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independents

Financing

With funding hard to come by, some restaurants turn to their tech suppliers for loans

 By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 21, 2022

Loans from companies like Toast and Square may be more accessible than traditional sources, but they highlight a larger problem with financing for mom and pops.

Leadership

Bob Chinn, proprietor of the high-volume crab house of the same name, is dead at age 99

 By Peter Romeo on Apr. 18, 2022

The establishment ranked for decades as one of the nation's highest grossing independents, with 2019 sales of nearly $19 million.

Operations

James Beard Foundation names its 2022 nominees

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 16, 2022

After a two-year pause, the awards highlighting the best of independent restaurants will return to Chicago on June 13.

Technology

Online ordering startup Owner.com raises $15M

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 02, 2022

After almost running out of money in 2020, the company overhauled its business and has been growing quickly since.

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.

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

5 ideas to steal from celebrated chef David Burke

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 24, 2022

David Burke has successfully operated restaurants for several decades and has a stockpile of smart ideas to share.

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.

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