How much will diners pay for a meal out?

When it comes to dining out, there's one thing Americans agree on: how much it should cost. Or do they? And check out one traveler's rant about how much he paid for a cup of ice. Pull up a chair for this edition of The Prep.

On the menu:

💠 Millennials vs. Gen Z on dining out
💠 Embracing the solo dining trend
💠 The new 90-min. dining limit
💠 A preview of 2024's Bar & Restaurant Expo

Americans put $63 price tag on dining out

A new report from SevenRooms highlights restaurant diners' increasing demand for personalized and value-driven experiences.

Key takeaways include:

Millennial Influence: 38% of Millennials dine out more than five times a month, driving demand for elevated dining experiences.

Willingness to Spend: Americans are willing to spend up to $63 per person on unique dining experiences, and 45% of Gen Z-ers are open to paying even more.

Personalization Matters: Thirty-four percent of Gen Z-ers want personalized surprises like a free dessert, while 26% of Millennials value easy reservation systems. (Hotel Management)

Guests want more solo seating options

In response to a new OpenTable report showing solo reservations increased 4% year-over-year — the largest rise of any party size — some establishments have started offering bar seating with a view, creating single-serving menus and designing inviting spaces to make solo diners feel comfortable. This shift not only meets the needs of solo diners, but also helps restaurants maximize seating capacity and increase revenue. (Restaurant Hospitality)

Scale Social AI launches engaging new tech

Scale Social aims to assist food and beverage owners in converting genuine customer-generated content into short-form videos. By using a simple QR code scan, restaurants can readily gather photos and videos from their customers and convert them into engaging, TikTok-style videos for sharing on various social media platforms. This innovative method enables restaurants to showcase authentic customer experiences and enhance their online visibility in an enjoyable and interactive manner. (Business Insider)

Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant is situated close to Diani Beach in Kenya and offers a unique dining experience within a 180,000-year-old coral grotto. The restaurant features a locally sourced menu including fresh oysters and fish, and a flambe of bananas served with ice cream.

💠 Restaurants enforce 90-min. dining limits

💠 Which family-style restaurant just filed for bankruptcy?

💠 'Top Chef' alum's dream Italian gastro finds a home

💠 Jason Aldean to open new eatery in Las Vegas

51

Percentage of customers who prefer ordering food directly from a restaurant's website instead of an app.

(Lineup AI)

Presidential candidates debate the taxation of tips

Following in the footsteps of former president Trump, Democratic nominee and VP Harris has voiced her support for eliminating taxes on tips earned by hospitality workers. President Biden has also said he will back the idea. Could a massive change for the industry be just around the corner? Here's everything you need to know about the proposal.

What we're watching: In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin, in which the titular star and his niece, Chef Renee Guilbault, share practical kitchen tips, favorite recipes, and secrets to hosting a successful dinner (for Kenny G?!). Catch the show on AMC+ and IFC.

Who we're following: @DeborahAnnCooks on Instagram, for her thought-provoking recipe curations and her vegan-centric food tours of the world's most iconic cities.

Plus: A look inside this year's Bar & Restaurant Expo, where you can connect with industry giants, sample the latest beverage trends and gain insights to boost your menu profits. The convention runs October 28-30 in San Antonio, Texas.

Thank you for reading The Prep.

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