Pandemic Reflections: What Lessons Has the Restaurant Industry Learned?, Part One

"The pandemic forced the restaurant industry to reinvent itself overnight, moving from a primarily in-store dining experience to an omnichannel, digital-first business. These changes have become permanent shifts in how they target customers, market themselves, and design their offerings."As we mark the fifth anniversary, MRM magazine surveyed restaurant insiders about the pandemic’s lasting impact on their businesses and the industry. For the second part, click here. For the third part, click here. One of the biggest struggles for restaurants post-covid is staffing. Finding reliable, long-term employees is a bit harder, and incentives including competitive pay as well as a positive work-life balance can help address retention. Escoffier is aiding restaurant owners and managers by preparing qualified candidates ready for engaged employment.

Special events have become a big reason for going out, making unique dining experiences more important than ever.

Customer habits have also…