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independents

Emerging Brands

Restaurant development surged to a new high in 2023

 By Peter Romeo on Jan. 24, 2024

The data from the online dining guide Yelp shows that restaurants opened at a faster rate last year than they did in pre-pandemic 2019, led by Mexican restaurants and pubs.

Operations

Let the awards season begin: Here are the James Beard Foundation semifinalists

 By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 24, 2024

This is the first round of the Beard award season. Finalists will be named in April and the winners celebrated in June.

Technology

ezCater wants to boost the profile of restaurants owned by underrepresented groups

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 23, 2024

The digital catering marketplace has added new filters so customers can seek out restaurants run by people with diverse backgrounds.

Marketing

Asian restaurants dominate Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 Places to Eat ranking

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 23, 2024

The list, which celebrates independents, is based on Yelp ratings, number of reviews and more. Vegetarian Latin restaurant Tumerico in Tucson, Ariz., took the No. 1 spot.

Technology

Tock feeds the need for restaurant experiences

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 17, 2024

A new Multi-Experience Tables tool gives operators more control and flexibility to make tables available for different types of bookings.

Operations

Boston Chef Barbara Lynch shutters three restaurants, sells another two

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 05, 2024

Lynch blames an "uncooperative landlord" for the closures. The reorganization also follows reports last year of a toxic work environment within the group, which now operates three remaining concepts.

Operations

Notable new concepts coming in 2024

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 02, 2024

Evan Funke is coming to Chicago; Stephen Starr has more planned for Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square; and M. Frances in Washington, D.C. promises to serve as a "think tank" for independent restaurants.

Operations

Washington, D.C. restaurateur faces close to 5 years in prison for tax evasion, misuse of Covid relief funds

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 19, 2023

Gholam "Tony" Kowkabi and his wife admitted to spending Paycheck Protection and other relief aid on a condo, vacations and their kids' tuition.

Operations

Seattle restaurant JuneBaby to close permanently after Dec. 31

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 18, 2023

Restaurateur Edouardo Jordan said he plans to take time off to recharge and find new projects. The James Beard Award-winning chef says he has made amends for earlier charges of sexual misconduct.

Operations

Foundations will award California restaurants business grants

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 14, 2023

The PG&E Foundation and the California Restaurant Foundation will make $5,000 grants to 77 restaurants in Northern and Central California.

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