Tariffs & Turmoil: How Restaurant Operators Can Navigate Supply Chain Chaos and Rising Costs

4 Min Read By MRM Staff

More than half (54 percent) of independent restaurant owners report making half as much or less than this same time last year, according to a report from Alignable with 51 percent saying  customer spending is “much lower” than 2024. Tariffs, attracting new customers, and inflation top the list of concerns.

“There’s a lack of clarity with regards to the timing implications of tariffs and the exact cost impact, thus creating chaos in not only planning but in pricing for daily operations,” Phil Kafarakis, President & CEO of IFMA, The Food Away from Home Association, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine, calling the current situation “a mess of epic proportions.”

“The volatile policy environment and the supply-chain effect is causing the entire food-away-from-home ecosystem to determine the impact on their financials. Segments like the College and University sector are attempting to plan budget for FY 2026 and are not able to get reliable pricing from…