Restaurant and Foodservice Information Resources

Get cooking with restaurant and foodservice information resources

Most restaurant industry information will show you that the outlook for new restaurants isn't always good. Many new restaurants fail within the first couple of years. However, with good restaurant and foodservice information resources, you'll be able to beat the odds.

Restaurant owners need research to show how other businesses operate and any consumer trends that could affect their sales. They should stay current with any new foodservice information, lest it negatively affect their business.

You may be interested in restaurant information and research if:

1. You want to find the best type of restaurant to start. Restaurant research can show you the many types of restaurants in your area. You want to start a restaurant that is different from the others.

2. You want to expand your business. If you already run a successful restaurant, you may be thinking of opening another one in a new town. Do some restaurant research in the new town to learn if this is a good idea.

3. You want to get ideas to improve your business. Businesses are constantly evolving and it helps if you can take advantage of new trends in the industry.

 

Use a market research firm to provide you with independent restaurant statistics

There are many things that you can learn through your own research, but it helps to have an industry professional compile and interpret the data for you. This is especially effective for those looking to break into the business, because they don't have as much experience.
Try: Technomic Consultants can help you with many areas of your restaurant business, including consumer research and performance improvement. RestaurantInsights.com specializes in restaurant research. They can help you with foodservice facts to beat the competition.

Subscribe to restaurant industry magazines to get current restaurant information

A good magazine will help you learn about the industry and stay up-to-date on current industry trends. It's wise to sign up for a couple of magazines to have a wider variety of restaurant and foodservice information resources.
Try: Get a free subscription to Restaurants & Institutions, which presents much information about the restaurant industry. It's also a good idea to subscribe to Restaurant Business, another great magazine that discusses industry news and issues.

Attend a trade show to learn about the latest restaurant industry information and trends

Trade shows are one of the best restaurant resources for business owners. You can connect with industry professionals and view the latest products.
Try: The National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show is one of the largest trade shows in the industry. It occurs every year, so be sure to book your tickets early. The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is another large industry event. With thousands of participants, you cannot afford to pass it up.

 

• Sometimes it's hard to get through all of the restaurant research available in magazines, especially if you have several subscriptions. Browse through the magazine when you receive it. If you see an article or restaurant report that interests you, tear it out for future reading.

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