Reality Check

Peter Romeo

The blog from award-winning journalist, RB Editor-at-Large Peter Romeo. Peter taps into his decades of experience covering the restaurant business at a variety of publications to discuss any number of issues related to the operations and general direction of restaurants.

Workforce

Governors ease restaurant restrictions

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 08, 2021

Even such sticklers as Andrew Cuomo are cutting operators some slack.

Leadership

Did Pizza Inn hire Nero and his fiddle?

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 06, 2021

The venerable chain’s parent company issued its assessment Tuesday of the 2020 presidential election, begging the question, “Why?”

Leadership

How the pandemic is restructuring restaurant companies

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 05, 2021

Big-name players are realigning top management to provide more flexibility and give additional attention to new revenue streams.

Operations

4 anvils dangling over restaurateurs’ heads

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 21, 2020

After a year like 2020, what else could go wrong? Um...have a seat.

Financing

How technology and Taylor Swift are keeping Olive Garden relevant

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 18, 2020

Parent Darden Restaurants is sketching out a five-year technology "road map" while looking at increased expansion opportunities for its biggest brand.

Financing

Trump hotel's F&B and meeting fees prompt a lawsuit from the District of Columbia

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 08, 2020

The property is accused of overcharging another Trump-affiliated operation, the president's inauguration committee..

Topics

4 surprises sprung on the restaurant industry this week

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 04, 2020

Who would've expected a revelation from Biden, evidence of a fib from Cheesecake Factory, and a federal aid package being even a remote possibility?

Operations

4 questions answered for restaurants this week

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 13, 2020

With all the hoopla over the national elections and their aftermath, operators may have missed the insights that came to light on these pressing matters.

Financing