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

Restaurants' worst choice for president

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 17, 2019

The industry would likely be better off with a dead horse than this dark one. But it's the sort of loser operators could get if they sit on the sidelines.

Leadership

The last time McDonald’s professed no opposition to a wage hike

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 27, 2019

In the 1980s, executives remarked offhandedly that an increase would be no big deal. Not everyone sat back in passive acceptance.

Financing

Why everybody isn’t posting numbers like Darden Restaurants’

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 25, 2019

The parent of Olive Garden and Capital Grille said its strong third quarter was the result of working a plan that’s long been in place. Here’s a refresher on some of the components.

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