US restaurants may be facing the toughest new year in recent memory, but opportunities are still present for operators that know how to focus their efforts where it really counts - on the consumer. Australian restaurants have not been hit as hard as those in America as our economy has, to-date, held up much better than the American economy. Tracking consumer trends, however, is as important for Australian restaurants, with the coming year to see more of a “buyer’s market” than 2008... ...Read more »

The financial turmoil of 2008 hurt some restaurants as consumers sought to save money by eating at home more often. The impact was fortunately softer in Australia than America where the restaurant industry, from fast food to fine dining, is determined to get people in the door in 2009. Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks US restaurant menus, expects five trends to influence foodservice in 2009. Restaurants will re-invent comfort food, mix up their cocktails, focus on fresh ingredients, take Mediterranean... ...Read more »

Research identifying greater concerns for the restaurant industry, as a result of a downturn in consumer spending, compared to other food industry sectors, appears to be on the mark. The latest retail trade statistics from the ABS highlight the strain any further consumer cost cutting could put on restaurants. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services represented the worst performed industry sector in the September quarter, with a 0.6% drop in the trend. Food retailing, meanwhile, had the largest... ...Read more »

Eating out, takeaways and nights in the pub will be among the first activities to be chopped by UK consumers in the wake of the downturn but restaurants are better placed to survive the economic turbulence than fifteen years ago, research by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has revealed. In a study that surveyed 1000 people, 27 per cent confirmed the first items they would cut back on would be restaurant meals, takeaways or fast food, and visits to the local pub, compared to 18 per cent who would cut back... ...Read more »

Restaurateurs on the Gold Coast are suggesting laws be put in place to stop amateurs from trying to emulate the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver on a whim. The proposal has come following a noticeable increase in the number of amateur restaurateurs starting a new business only to see it crumble as quickly as it began. Consequently, compulsory training has been mooted as a possibility to curb the number of failures. Proposed changes include a requirement for people to undergo mandatory training... ...Read more »