Every year, just before the summer season gets underway, I start getting asked the same question. Usually it sounds something like: What’s trending? What are restaurants doing? What should operators be paying attention to?
We Choose To Say Yes
June 1, 2026Every big shift started the same way — someone looked at what was and decided it could be faster, easier, possible. Try saying yes before you’ve solved the problem, and trust that the how will follow.
The Way You Make ‘Em Feel
May 4, 2026Recently my family took our first trip to Florida. We headed to the Keys — chasing sun, salt air, and the kind of slow that’s hard to find in Maine in the spring. What I didn’t expect was to spend the trip living out everything I’ve been writing about.
Can’t Buy Me Loyalty
February 3, 2026There’s a movie from the ’80s that started rattling around in my head recently. Can’t Buy Me Love. A smart, awkward kid makes a deal with one of the most popular girls in school. He helps her out of a jam, she helps him gain instant social credibility. For a while, it works exactly as planned…
Winter Hospitality Readiness Checklist
December 3, 2025Winter doesn’t just challenge your operation; it shapes how guests perceive your business. When conditions feel unpredictable, the restaurants that feel reliable win.
Moving Your Restaurant’s Limited-Time Offers Past Rookie Numbers
November 25, 2025When LTOs are used effectively, they can help test new ideas, get honest feedback from customers, and uncover new and profitable potential for your menu.
The Psychology of Seasonal Cravings
October 16, 2025Seasonal menu changes aren’t just about what’s fresh—they’re about what guests crave on an emotional level.
Sharing Real Moments = Foodservice Marketing Magic
October 16, 2025Want to now the big trend in foodservice marketing right now?… It’s not about filters or flashy gimmicks—it’s about showing the real soul of your operation.
Amp’d Up Pics—SnapSeed Photo Editor Gets a Big Update
October 16, 2025Whether you’re adjusting lighting on a plated dish, removing a blemish from a countertop shot, or adding just the right pop to a social media post, Snapseed makes it fast and intuitive.
Cool Menu Moves to Drive Summer Sales in Restaurants & Foodservice
June 24, 2025The heat is coming whether you’re ready or not. Make sure your customers know exactly where to find their oasis. A “beat the heat” summer marketing strategy should focus on three areas…
10 Tips to Improve Restaurant Operations
May 29, 202510 practical tips to improve restaurant operations, focusing on streamlining processes, enhancing staff efficiency, and leveraging technology. Key suggestions include simplifying the menu, cross-training employees, using data and automation tools, and improving the customer experience through better layout and service consistency.
Unveil the Unseen: Spring Shares Set the Stage for the Season
April 28, 2025Celebrate your business and set the stage for customer engagement by showcasing the heart and soul of your business. Embrace the content opportunities ahead and make 2025 a remarkable year for growth online and in-person.
Building Tomorrow’s Restaurant Teams: A New Approach for Hiring in 2025
November 22, 2024The transformation starts with a shift in mindset. Instead of viewing new hires as pairs of hands to train, we need to see them as potential stewards of our vision. This isn’t just idealistic thinking – it’s a practical response to our industry’s challenges.
Stay Connected: Essential Contact Backup Tips for Small Business Owners
October 14, 2024This article explores why safeguarding your contacts is crucial and provides practical tips for both iPhone and Android users to secure their business networks.
There is No Off Season: Preparing Your Restaurant for Year-Round Success
August 26, 2024As we wrap up another bustling summer season here in New England, it’s time to shift our focus to the future. While visitors may be heading home, seasoned operators know that now is the perfect time to start preparing for next year’s rush…
There’s more to AI than meets the Ribeye
August 4, 2024Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing industries across the board, and the restaurant business is no exception. From the front door to the kitchen, AI is serving up a feast of innovations that are transforming how we think about food service.
Episode 75: Plates and Pixels, Work-Life Balance in the Digital Restaurant Era
July 12, 2024Welcome to Episode 75 of the Dennis Knows Food podcast. In this episode, host Luke LaBree explores the challenges of maintaining work-life balance for restaurant owners in the digital age.
Maximizing Restaurant Efficiency: The Power of Labor-Saving Ingredients
April 26, 2024In the restaurant industry, time is an ingredient as important as salt or sugar. It’s the invisible seasoning that can make or break a restaurant’s success. Let’s optimize your kitchen’s efficiency and unlock new opportunities!
Do the Free Stuff First: Strategies to Market Your Business Without a Big Budget
April 17, 2024Dennis Food Service, CMO and veteran marketing professional, Luke LaBree, shares creative, practical, and actionable strategies for marketing your business on a shoestring budget.
Episode 74: Do the Free Stuff First
April 17, 2024Welcome to Episode 74 of the Dennis Knows Food podcast! In this special three-part installment, we’re excited to present Luke LaBree’s keynote address, “Do the Free Stuff First.”
15 Ways to Generate More Business, Traffic from Travelers & Tourists in New England
March 19, 2024Here’s how to generate more traffic and revenue this summer by attracting hungry travelers and weary tourists with your website and social media content.
Simplifying Restaurant Menus for Profitability & Efficiency
March 8, 2024The menu has always been a food service establishment’s best marketing tool—and a roadmap to its financial viability. Now, in the post-pandemic era, engineering the menu to drive margins and enhance efficiencies is even more important.
Embracing the Digital Storefront: Why Every Restaurant Needs a Website
July 17, 2023In today’s internet-driven digital age, a strong online presence is essential for any business. Yet, surprisingly, many restaurants and food-focused operations still operate without a dedicated website. By doing so, they unwittingly limit their potential reach and allow others to shape their brand’s perception online.
AI in Restaurants: Using ChatGPT to Write Menu Descriptions
July 7, 2023AI technology like ChatGPT can dramatically reduce the time restaurant management spends on common marketing tasks. You can leverage AI to generate social media posts, Google Ads, review responses—even your marketing plan—in a matter of seconds.
Driving C-Store Lunch Sales
June 16, 2023C-stores are doubling down on lunch as customer demand for options grows. Popular c-store fare like chicken, pizza and roller grill items remain customer favorites, while featured specials and LTOs keep the menu fresh.