Restaurant Rewind

`Those who don’t know their history are destined to relive it', to riff on the words of a famed philosopher. For anyone in the restaurant business, that oft-quoted saying may be more of a heartening promise than a dire admonition. The industry’s past is packed with tales of scoundrels and heroes, big thinkers and pinheads, colossal successes and dismal failures, breakthrough moves and self-inflicted destruction. Few soap operas pack as much color and drama. Yet those yellowed snapshots provide insights relevant to the challenges of today. Join Peter Romeo, a 41-year veteran of the business with a penchant for restaurant history, as he explores those pivotal moments from the past.

Emerging Brands

Think recent closings were dramatic? Here's the whole chain Darden had to shutter

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 27, 2024

All 51 units of China Coast went dark on the same Tuesday morning. But that didn't stop its parent from considering other entries into the Asian market.

Operations

When reports of a restaurant-Mafia connection were more than rumors

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 20, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: A once-celebrated New York City chef confirmed the rumors when he revealed his double life as a mob wise guy. Here's his story.

Leadership

Who was this James Beard guy?

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 13, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: No, he’s not the person who started the awards program of the same name. Nor did he turn his home over to visiting chefs. The industry pioneer’s contributions are far more nuts-and-bolts.

Leadership

Remembering a social crusader named Bill Darden

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 06, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: In the era of Jim Crow, the namesake of Darden Restaurants refused to segregate dining rooms, even in the Deep South of 1935. Here's how the industry pioneer made a difference.

Financing

How the once-mighty are falling in casual dining

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 30, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: Dominance within the full-service sector has shifted appreciably during the last 20 years. Here’s a look at how the balance of power has shifted, humbling two powerhouses in particular.

Leadership

Having C-suiters spend time in stores is great—provided they know what's really going on

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 23, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: Here's how bad things can get when a visiting VIP employee doesn't have a firm grasp on what they've gotten into.

Operations

How customers came to be routinely asked, 'Cash or credit?'

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 16, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: Credit-card transactions are an integral part of the restaurant industry today. Yet that development is a relatively recent one. Join us we look at how the co-dependence came to be.

Marketing