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.

Leadership

Howard Schultz’s politicking is good for restaurants—even if he doesn’t have a chance

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 15, 2019

The industry stands to benefit through association.

Workforce

Does employee education boost retention? Chick-fil-A has proof

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 14, 2019

The chicken chain surveyed past beneficiaries of its scholarship program and found 90% intend to keep working there even after they earn a degree.

Workforce

High schoolers brainstorm the restaurant industry’s future

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 25, 2019

Youngsters headed for a career in foodservice cooked up their notion of the places they might someday operate. Here’s what they thought up.

Workforce

$15 minimum wage is already a presidential campaign issue

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 15, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders said he’ll introduce a bill in the Senate this week to institute the so-called living wage on a national basis. It has little chance of passing but could be a test that requires expected candidates for the top office to come out for or against it.

Consumer Trends

Customers behaving badly: New hall of fame candidates

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 07, 2019

Recent eruptions suggest customers are losing perspective when a restaurant visit doesn’t go perfectly. But decide for yourself from these noteworthy examples.

Operations