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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
Guide to Restaurant Social Media Marketing in 2021
July 12, 2021A good restaurant social media marketing strategy can help bring customers to your venue. This is because social media is an important tool people use to make purchasing decisions. This is especially true when it comes to choosing where to eat…
Seven Restaurant Marketing Strategies to Implement In 2021
July 1, 2021Own or operate a restaurant, c-store or food service business? Check out these seven marketing ideas for your restaurant to attract and retain customers in 2021.
Restaurant Menu Strategies for 2021
December 7, 2020As we move forward in the “new normal” menu strategies new and old will converge into the right mix of price points, value, menu items, and differentiation that will appeal to consumers.
At-Home Consumers Craving Restaurant Food, Free Delivery, Meal Deals
December 7, 2020Locked-down consumers may be craving professionally made meals and restaurant food, but good food isn’t the only thing they like about restaurants, free delivery and meal deals are also in the mix.
Grow Your Foodservice Business with Content Marketing
November 19, 2020Content is as important to your digital presence and marketing efforts as the food you serve is to your dining room. It shows who you are, what you do and what you’re capable of – but most importantly – it can impact a visitor’s decision to return.
What Motivates Customers in the Age of COVID?
October 16, 2020Recent research that establishes “diner personas” can help foodservice operators understand and meet guest expectations.
The Future of Foodservice: Here’s What to Expect
August 11, 2020Think salad bars and hot delis are gone for good? Not so fast, says Corinne Shindelar, the founder and former CEO and president of Independent Natural Food Retailers Association.
5 Restaurant Menu Analysis Tips to Increase Your Restaurant’s Profitability
August 11, 2020A menu is something that says a lot about your restaurant and its specialization, and also plays a significant role in your restaurant’s profitability. Hence, doing a comprehensive restaurant menu analysis is crucial for your restaurant’s success.
Market Opportunity: Millennials and Their Kids
December 5, 2019According to the NPD Group, Millennials with children increased their restaurant visits by 5% percent in 2018 over the prior year, at a time when the total restaurant industry experienced flat traffic growth…
Modern Menu Strategy, in One Word: Focus
December 5, 2019To maximize profitability in a highly competitive marketplace patronized by highly diverse customers, operators should regularly evaluate their menus, item by item, to ensure every offering is still worthy of its place on the menu…
Holiday Staffing Tips for Restaurant Operators
November 12, 2019For many restaurants, the next few weeks will likely be one of the busiest times of the year. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve operators can rake in the revenue. But with more business, and more people coming through the door, the biggest challenge is always staffing…
5 Ways to Enhance Your Customer’s Takeout Dining Experience
April 5, 2019A growing number of today’s restaurant patrons would rather order delivery or takeout than dine in. In fact, the booming market for food that leaves an operator’s walls will surpass $300 billion in sales by 2023. Nevertheless, on-demand foodservice has its challenges…
Restaurant Marketing Ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas
November 6, 2018Christmas marketing isn’t limited to just the immediate holiday but includes your winter menu changes, catering services, increased promotions of cookies, cakes, pies, pastries and side dishes for holiday meals, holiday party bookings and gift card sales. You have a great opportunity to attract new customers, show your chef’s skills in preparing holiday favorites and exotic foods from other countries and cultures, and host special tasting events that attract convivial crowds.
5 Free Ways to Get Customers Talking about Your Foodservice Brand
October 24, 2018Most fast-casual operators believe that competency creates conversation. That being “good” equals word of mouth. But it often does not, because almost every competitor is at least good. If you want customers to tell others about your restaurants — and you do — you must be different in addition to being excellent.