Food Industry News

In a time when dining out has become more expensive and Chicago food service operators are already facing lower foot traffic and sales, now is not the time for Chicago’s mayor to consider increasing liquor and beer taxes. Instead, we need leadership that focuses on helping restaurants survive and thrive in our city, not creating additional financial hurdles. Chicago is known as a great food city, and Chicago politicians neen to be finding ways to support and sustain this important industry.

When restaurant owners call our magazine for input on how to survive and prosper, here are the suggestions I typically offer to help them stand out in our competitive market. Success in the restaurant industry hinges on balancing quality, customer experience, driving frequent customer visits and smart business practices. Here are some tips to help restaurants thrive: 1. Focus on Quality Ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients make a difference. Consider local sourcing whenever possible to ensure quality and capitalize on trends that emphasize farm-to-table dining. Customers are increasingly prioritizing the story behind their food, so make your ingredients a part of your brand narrative. Buying local can help reduce costs too. 2. Invest in Staff Training: Your team is your most valuable asset. Invest in continuous training to ensure exceptional service, consistency in food preparation, and proper communication with guests. A knowledgeable and friendly staff creates a memorable customer experience, leading to positive reviews and repeat customers. Teach employees to interact with guests and make them feel wanted. 3. Leverage Technology: Today's diners expect convenience. Utilize online reservation systems, mobile ordering, and digital payment options to streamline operations and save labor. Invest in a strong online presence with an engaging website and active social media profiles. Highlight your menu, promotions, and customer reviews to build trust and attract new patrons. don't "give away" your customer base by encouraging your customers to place their orders on 3rd party sites. Condition customers to order directly through you whenever possible. 4. Optimize Menu Design: Streamline your menu to focus on what you do best. A concise, well-designed menu reduces kitchen complexity, lowers food costs, and improves the quality of your dishes. Regularly evaluate menu performance and consider seasonal updates and limited time offers to keep things fresh and exciting for returning customers. 5. Engage with the Local Community: Build relationships with your local community. Host frequent special events, partner with local businesses, or sponsor local initiatives to establish your restaurant as a community staple. These efforts can drive word-of-mouth marketing and foster a loyal customer base and most of all, encourage frequent visits which is the path to wealth and success in the restaurant business. By focusing on quality, investing in staff, leveraging technology, refining your menu, and engaging with the community, your restaurant can stand out and succeed in a crowded market. The other valuable suggestion I like to offer is to keep on reading and using Food Industry News to find quality suppliers you can trust. Here is a link to our new issue: https://lnkd.in/g5zgAXfG

Jay Torke is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

Press Release: Trade Magazine Launches Billboard Campaign Encouraging Consumers to Dine Out and Support Local Restaurants Park Ridge, Illinois– Food Industry News, the only local trade magazine reaching professionals (restaurant owners, chefs, managers and suppliers) across Chicagoland's $34 billion food industry, has launched a billboard campaign aimed at encouraging Illinois residents and consumers to support local restaurants, dine out often, and bolster the local food industry and its hospitality workers. ? In partnership with Out Front Media, the campaign features a series of billboards strategically placed along Chicagoland's busiest highways, including Illinois Interstates 294, 355, 94, 90, 55, 53 and 57, along with inner-city billboard locations. Through OUTFRONT’s reach, the month-long billboard campaign is expected to reach millions of consumers and tourists, reminding them of the vibrant and diverse dining options available throughout the region. When asked about the motivation behind this initiative, Cary Miller, VP of Food Industry News, stated, "We want to do everything we can to support the local food industry, our readers, their employees, and the great suppliers that sustain them. This billboard campaign will undoubtedly reach people who love Chicago for its food and hospitality. We hope it will serve as a powerful reminder for diners to experience Chicago’s restaurants more often. I came up with the idea after hearing from many restaurant owners that their sales and traffic is down. I always ask what may I do to help and no one had any ideas, and then it occurred to me that a billboard campaign might help. We did this using our own resources to support those in the Illinois food industry which is Illinois largest private sector employer behind Amazon.” About Us: Food Industry News is a monthly print and digital trade magazine that has helped local chefs, owners and other food business professionals to stay informed and connected. The magazine is a 2nd generation, local, woman owned business based in Park Ridge, Illinois which is celebrating its 42nd year of serving the market. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/dwzcuk. Our monthly magazine can be viewed here without opt-in or payment: https://lnkd.in/em8Vciv FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cary Miller, VP, Food Industry News, 847-699-3300

It's almost time again to SHMOOZE! Join us at 5pm Monday 9/9/24 to get inspired from Chef Corey Grupe, who stays organized and focused on overseeing 58 restaurants in O'Hare Airport, while being an entrepreneurial owner of Bagels by the Book Cafe in Libertyville, followed by food and beverage tastings, networking, raffle prizes and fun with your food industry friends.

For 42 years, Food Industry News has been the Chicagoland industry's premier local trade magazine and buying guide, delivering essential information through both print and digital formats. Our mission is to help advertisers effectively connect with industry buyers and decision-makers by leveraging our exclusive reach and influence. ? Why Choose Food Industry News? Our comprehensive and high-quality subscriber base includes the region’s most successful and influential operators. We excel at shaping buying decisions with informative, educational, and insightful editorial content, particularly pieces that support and highlight our advertisers. ? What We Offer: - Monthly Print & Digital Display Ads: Reach key industry players through our widely circulated magazine. - Quarterly Shmoozefest Events: Engage with 200-400 food industry professionals at our networking, tasting, and educational events. Sponsorships start at $250. - Front Page “Post-It-Note Style Ads: Capture attention with prominent placement on our magazine’s front page. - Buyers Directory Listings: Enhance your visibility with tailored listings in our industry vendor directory. - Eblast Packages: Reach our internet subscribers with targeted email campaigns. - Dynamic Advertising Packages: Maximize your impact with our value-focused advertising options. - Monthly Brochure Mailings: Distribute your brochures to new owners and operators in the industry. - Expert Ad Services: Benefit from our professional ad layout, design, photography, and copywriting expertise. - Sticker Ads: Have your ad printed on a sticker and sent to every subscriber. - Printed Mailer Distribution: Get your 8.5”x11” mailer or brochure into the hands of potential clients. - Hot Leads Reports: Access valuable reports on new Chicagoland restaurants opening soon. ? Our Reach: We offer a comprehensive local reach while also catering to national chain headquarters among our subscribers. Our monthly print circulation exceeds 18,000, penetrating every channel of the industry. Our internet edition is freely accessible, expanding your potential audience. ? About Us: We are a women-owned, family-operated business dedicated to helping high-quality vendors thrive in Chicagoland’s $34 billion food industry. ? Ready To Elevate Your Business? Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve your sales goals and support your business growth. ? With gratitude and here to serve, Cary Cary Miller, Vice President [email protected] www.foodindustrynews.com ?

Food Industry News is proud to again partner with IndustryNow, presenters of the The 2024 Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit, June 11 – 12, 2024 at the Westin Chicago Lombard. The opening panel discussion was entitled "Women Driving Innovation" moderated by Rachael Nemeth, CEO & Co-Founder of Opus, Julie Swift, Founder, Foodservice Women’s Alliance, Charnell Landry, Director of Digital Enablement, Smalls Sliders, Vanessa Varano, VP of Learning and Development, Mac Haik Restaurant Group and Hannah Lopez, Director, Marketplace Development, Food Service, Plant Based Foods Association. This, like all of the programs, provded candid insights into industry issues while disucssing ideas to create positive change. The Food Industry News team is looking forward to seeing our industry friends, giving away free subscriptions to growing chain operators and meeting with top thought leaders who are scaling, while affording their people opportunities to grow and to prosper.