2026 Independent Restaurant Profit Outlook
Costs are high, traffic is unpredictable, and price increases are hitting a wall. Here’s how operators will protect profit in 2026—and what writers and analysts should watch.
Heart & Hustle
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Your Restaurant Holiday Checklist
Grow profits and happiness this holiday season with six simple tips. Create a warm, efficient space for guests and staff, and keep customers coming back.
How to Make a Menu for Your Restaurant (and make it profitable)
Learn the art and science of restaurant menu creation, from concept to setting profitable prices and expert design tips.
How to Schedule Restaurant Staff: 8 Tips for Restaurant Managers
Creating and communicating a restaurant schedule can take hours out of your day. But with the right strategies, it doesn't have to.
How Restaurant Loans Work—And How to Find the Right One for Your Business
Learn how restaurant loans work and discover easier funding options to grow your business.
SpotOn Ranked #1 Restaurant POS by G2 for Fall 2025, Outperforming Toast Where It Matters Most
Restaurants rated SpotOn higher than Toast in major categories, cementing SpotOn as the go-to tech partner for independent operators
How to Create Online Ordering for Your Restaurant
Make money on online orders. Learn how to keep your profits, increase online orders, control order flow, and capture guest data—without per-order commissions.
How to Build a Restaurant Tech Stack Every Operator Needs to Thrive
Learn how to build a restaurant tech stack that works together to streamline operations and grow your business.
Restaurant SEO: A Beginner-Friendly Guide To Getting Found Online and Growing Your Customer Base
Learn how to use restaurant SEO to attract more local customers, boost online visibility, and grow your business—without paying for ads.
How to Read a Restaurant P&L (Profit and Loss) Statement + Free Template
Assess the financial health of your restaurant. Our P&L template brings together your sales and costs to calculate your profit.
Menu Engineering: Free Worksheet + Tips for a More Profitable Menu
Find out how popular and profitable your menu items are with our menu engineering matrix. Then learn how to modify your menu for more sales.
Restaurant Profit Margin: 7 Ways To Actually Make Your Operation More Profitable
Running a more efficient restaurant is the key to higher margins. Learn how to lower costs and increase revenue with solutions for your hospitality business.
5 Ways Your Restaurant Branding Can Stand Out in a Saturated Market
A lot goes into a great first impression. Here’s how you can create a restaurant brand that new and loyal guests identify with.
6 Ways to Increase Restaurant Revenue
Making money in restaurants is hard. Here are some ways to reach profitability.
Turning the Corner: How to Manage a Restaurant (As a Restaurant Owner)
Former Restaurant Owner and Chef Scott Youkilis shares his secrets on how to successfully manage a restaurant.
Helping Lahaina Restaurants Recover
When disaster strikes, fellow restaurateurs heed the call. See how restaurants are helping restaurants rebuild.
Fall 2023 Menu Trends: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
As the summer turns to fall, adapting your menu to fit guest cravings and take advantage of seasonal produce remains in style.
10 Small Business Fall Marketing Ideas
Here are 10 easy fall promotional ideas to help your small business connect with guests after Labor Day.
Listening Well with Jewell Walker
Journey into the world of hospitality with Jewell Walker, a SpotOn account executive. He thrives on active listening and meaningful connections.
What Is Happy Hour and How to Make It a Success
Happy hours are a powerful tool to attract and retain guests. Learn how they can add value and excitement to your restaurant's experience.
The Making of an Elite San Francisco Bartender
Bar Sprezzatura has a hidden secret, and his name is Carlo Splendorini. As the lead mixologist, Carlo knows the value of a warm welcome and a cold drink crafted to perfection.
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