Tabletop/Front Of House News

The Watermark Hotel in Tysons, Virginia has a secret on its 25th floor. Open an unassuming door in the fitness center’s sauna and you’ll be transported to the streets of Tokyo within The Naisho Room, a hidden speakeasy serving Japanese spirits and an Omakase dining experience by executive sushi chef Hobin Kim. “We wanted to…

The brand overhaul includes a refreshed bucket logo, store design, and food and beverage line-up. uick-service restaurant (QSR) chain KFC is rolling out a worldwide brand overhaul spanning food, beverages, restaurant design and visual identity. The company is adding more boneless options, supported by a new global sauce “pantry” of more than 20 sauces. These…

With off-premises dining capturing a massive share of restaurant revenue, packaging has become a storefront marketing tool that brands must treat as a proxy for hospitality and intentionally design the unboxing experience. “The real opportunity is less about how the box looks and more about how it makes the guest feel,” said Alexis Gillette, VP…

Because a majority of potential guests encounter a restaurant online before ever walking in the door, having a clear digital footprint is critical for restaurant success, explained Vanessa Errecarte, personal branding expert at UC Davis Graduate School of Management. “If you don’t shape your digital presence, something else will. That might be outdated reviews, random…

The most memorable dining experiences cannot be defined by a single element. While quality food and service remain paramount, growing competition in the food and beverage industry and diners’ preference for visually compelling restaurants have introduced an emphasis on how the entire experience unfolds from the moment guests arrive to the moment they leave. This…

Large-scale matador artworks at Beast & Butterflies Downtown restaurant bring the restaurant’s Spanish-inspired concept to life. The dramatic designs echo that heritage and spirit as well as create a stronger connection between what guests see, feel, and taste, explained Krista Birnbaum, Senior Art Curator at Eaton Fine Art, which curated the art collection for the…

The cleanliness of facilities is doing far more work than most businesses realize. It is not just a maintenance standard or an operational detail, it is a signal. And increasingly, it is a defining element of brand reputation. Cleanliness consistently ranks at the top of what shapes customer satisfaction, influencing how people perceive and remember…

Seeing the the salad bars, Tiffany lamps, and red plastic cups at a number of Pizza Hut restaurants evokes a sense of nostalgia for diners. In this CBS News piece, Tim Sparks, president of Daland Corporation, notes that these Pizza Hut Classic locations are now among their top-performers with some customers travelling for hours just…

As a restaurant owner, I know success hinges on creating a full, memorable experience that goes beyond the menu In a city like Charlotte, which is seeing its food and beverage scene grow rapidly. Of course, the food has to be consistent and craveable, but it’s really about building connections with guests and creating intentional…

Few days carry as much pressure for restaurants as Mother’s Day. Tickets start rolling in quickly, but what matters more is what’s behind each order, because people are celebrating, and even small issues can leave a lasting impression. Orders on Mother’s Day behave differently from a typical rush because many are tied to group decisions,…