Plus, learn more about Restaurant Culture and Suicide, a Reservation Lottery System, Restaurant Booking No-Shows, Kid Menus and Activity Pages, and more in the Latest Restaurant News Bites.
Your Next Big Dinner Out Could Be in a Sacramento Chef’s Home
Sacramento foodies are increasingly turning to home-hosted supper clubs for intimate, multi-course dining experiences that go beyond traditional restaurant outings. Local culinary talents host these small gatherings in their own living rooms, creating memorable meals where guests often walk away with new friends.
Survey: Are Guests Losing Patience With Restaurant Price Increases?
Diners understand why dining out costs more these days, but their patience with menu price hikes is rapidly wearing thin. Instead of abandoning their favorite spots entirely, folks are adapting by ordering cheaper dishes, cooking more at home, and asking operators for upfront notice before prices shift.
Texas Ranks Top in Restaurant Closures in the U.S., Data Shows
With more than 1,000 estimated restaurant closures across Texas during the first half of 2026, the state currently leads the nation in shuttered dining spots due to severe inflation and high operating costs. Discover what’s driving up these closures.
World Suicide Prevention Day Puts Restaurant Culture in Focus
The high-pressure demands, grueling hours, and isolation of restaurant work continue to fuel elevated suicide rates and widespread mental distress among culinary staff. Rather than maintaining this tough environment, proactive operators can shift their workplace culture by actively recognizing staff efforts, offering mental health resources, and protecting personal time off.
Meet the Restaurant Pros Redefining What Great Hospitality Looks Like in 2026
Recognizing the hardworking people who keep restaurants running smoothly makes a huge difference in the industry. These dedicated workers often go above and beyond to ensure every guest enjoys an unforgettable dining experience.
Why the Owners of One of S.F.’s Most Elusive Restaurants Just Blew up How They Take Reservations
To stop third-party scalpers and automated bots from hoarding its eight seats, San Francisco’s acclaimed Chinese fine dining spot Fù Huì Huá has switched to a randomized lottery system for booking reservations. By randomly selecting diners from their waitlist, the family-run establishment hopes to give everyday guests a fair shot at experiencing their elusive tasting menu.
Restaurant Owners Fed Up: The No-Show ‘Epidemic’ Is Costing Them Big
Restaurateurs are growing increasingly frustrated as diners routinely double-book tables across town and skip out without canceling, leaving dining rooms stranded with empty seats and lost revenue. To combat the surge in missed bookings, more establishments are turning to strict cancellation fees and upfront deposits to protect their bottom line.
Why You Need to Do These 5 Things to Market Your Restaurant
Running an independent restaurant requires targeted marketing essentials that build strong customer connections and drive foot traffic. Independent operators can boost their long-term visibility by investing in a clean website, active social media channels, and direct messaging campaigns.
The F&B Strategy That Starts With Winning Over Locals, Not Just Guests
Accor and Ennismore’s Paris Society focus on building hotel restaurants that attract local residents rather than just relying on hotel guests. By prioritizing emotional connection, design, and standalone culinary concepts, the hospitality group turns dining venues into profitable lifestyle destinations.
For Houston Restaurant Operators, Crayons and Papers Are Serious Business
Restaurant children’s menus and activity sheets have evolved from 1920s keepsakes into custom tools that help local operators build family loyalty and keep diners coming back. Houston restaurateurs like Justin Turner and Bryan Caswell design these custom activity pages and from-scratch menus to treat young guests as future regulars while giving parents a brief moment of calm.
A Beginner’s Guide to Ordering at a Restaurant in Spanish
Learning essential phrases makes dining out in Spanish-speaking regions much easier and more enjoyable. Knowing how to handle everything from checking reservations to asking for the bill helps travelers navigate local menus with total confidence.
Dine at This Restaurant as Ocean Waves Crash Next to Your Table
San Diego’s Marine Room offers a unique waterfront experience where massive Pacific waves crash right against the dining room’s reinforced glass windows. Despite surviving historic storms and floods over its eight-decade history, the iconic spot continues drawing guests who want front-row views of high-tide surf while enjoying their meal.
This North Carolina Café Lets Guests Pay What They Can – And It’s Built A Community Around Lunch
This unique North Carolina community kitchen operates on a pay-what-you-can model to ensure everyone can access a wholesome meal. By relying on local ingredients and community support, the establishment fosters connection while fighting local food insecurity.