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Industry news
What’s cookin’ in the industry?
Even with all the unknown outcomes right now — wildfires, labor markets, congestion pricing impact, and a presidential inauguration, 2025 can be a successful year. In fact, it can be your best year yet with the right prep and planning. 📋 +✏️ + 🚨
Hope & help for LA restaurants
The comeback is always greater than the setback. While the LA fires still rage, the community and the nation are rallying to help — there really are angels everywhere.
A few resources for those in need 👇
💸 For your team: The California Restaurant Association is offering relief grants ranging from $350 to $1,500 to food & beverage workers affected by the fires.
💲 For you: CA business owners can apply for FEMA Fire Management Assistance by reaching out to the Small Business Administration.
🍝 LA restaurants are stepping up: For example, Ospi, CA’s finest Italian food, has jumped into action with their fire relief efforts:
- “Pasta on Us” — A free bowl of pasta for first responders and anyone displaced by the fires.
- They’re feeding neighboring fire departments & collecting personal items for local shelter donations for those displaced.
- WiFi & Power at all locations — the Brentwood location has power cords & water bottles.
🚨 Knowing how & where to help when a crisis hits is tough. Anything helps — what resources do you have to offer? We created a list of trusted ResQ vendors specifically for LA restaurants to get the repair help they need. Hit “Reply” if you’d like the list.
Congestion pricing impact on NYC restaurants
New York City's new congestion pricing took effect Jan 5th, and has restaurants south of 60th Street getting creative. A $9 toll threatens to slow customer traffic and spike delivery costs.
🔗 Supply chain surcharge: With delivery trucks now subject to tolls up to $21.60, will suppliers pass the buck to restaurants, who in turn have to pass it to diners? Maybe so, maybe no. Distributor Baldor Specialty Foods says they’ll look for other efficiencies and absorb the cost that way.
💰 Deals & discounts: Some restaurants are offering $9 discounts to patrons, hoping to sweeten the deal and counteract the bitter taste of the new toll.
🚗 Customer conundrum: There's a looming concern that the toll might drive away customers — excuse the pun — especially those commuting from outer boroughs and neighboring states.
Trends to help restaurants adapt to the 2025 labor market
Good news! 👏 Consumers have accepted the new cost of dining out, but restaurants are turning to current trends to counteract labor costs stirred up by new laws and impending immigration reform.
- KFC, Taco Bell, Bojangles, El Pollo Loco, and Shake Shack lead the charge by adding more digital kiosks.
- 36% of TD Bank survey respondents said restaurants and franchisees will go all in on digital platforms, mobile apps, and online ordering.
- Only 27% of restaurant transactions are on-premise orders, so emphasizing hospitality through off-premise channels is crucial. Prioritize presentation and personalization. (ex: the optimal take-out container & a handwritten “thank you” with the customer’s name)
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