The latest statistics published in a special report from Chain Store Guide’s “Chain Restaurant Operators Industry Summary for 2010” point to slow but steady improvement in year over year foodservice sales says this restaurant management expert. Whereas 2009 showed a significant drop over 2008 – 0.5% real growth versus 3.5% – the first half of…
It would be interesting to hear what restaurant expert witness opinions were rendered on the recent Applebee case, if any, that was rejected on appeal to the Supreme Court. The restaurant chain is concerned about the cost ramifications that the lower courts will impose among other issues. In particular and at issue is the separation of…
If you are looking to buy a hotel, the lack of financing for lodging properties is starting to diminish at least with one major bank. Wells Fargo recently announced loan financing options available to hotel owners and investors. It has already closed some loan deals as well. So what is the catch and will you…
Software companies are developing applications that can act as food safety consultants of a sort for smart phones and computer tablets. These apps, which are targeted toward training employees, control and inspections procedures and product sourcing, are gaining interest among restaurateurs and food service operators. At very low costs per app, these instructional aides and…
The holidays are a perfect time to incorporate what is going on with your green restaurant investment programs and to hype it up in your seasonal ads and promotions. Customers are attracted to green and what affects the environment these days. They also want to dine in restaurants that practice sustainability if they know about…
There are more signs this week that big money and hotel investment activity is picking up and will begin to add to more reductions of distressed hotel real estate inventories going into late 2010, according to Perry Group’s Hotel Asset Manager and Hospitality Asset Management specialist. After going dark for most of 2009, hotel sector…
Hotel and leisure advisors at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona this month are holding a panel on why now is the time to build a hotel and why it is a good period for new lodging construction. Here are some excerpts from an article previewing it: “Offering a preview of what’s to come, Jim…
The number of stories with hotel experts and the news media opining on the state of the recovery in the USA and where opportunity lies is as varied as the number of hotel brands that have proliferated since the last boom. In some aspects, it looks like we are headed to another ramp up in…
It is not surprising from a hotel expert perspective when you consider the rise in females travelling that women only floors are becoming popular both nationally and internationally. Although many hotels make it a point to cater to women’s requests, such as being located near elevators and providing certain in-room amenities, it does not go…
An integral part of green restaurants planning is taking advantage of the latest in technology and factoring in certain consumer attitudes. Recent findings on sustainability trends and eco surveys suggest that solar energy and the customer pocketbook will have the most impact on your foodservice and restaurant operation being green this year. According to Dan…