HOME » Link Library » The Restaurant Biz
Feedspot’s Top Restaurant Blogs
The Feedspot Blog tracks what it calls the “Top 100 Restaurants Blogs on The Planet”. They rank according to Google ranking, social media influence and expert review.
Solutions for Sustainability
Green and energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important as the industry tries to lower costs and meet its social responsibilities. This NRA site provides good resources.
LocalHarvest.Org
An organic and local sourcing site that hosts a directory of small farms, farmers markets, community supported agriculture projects and related content.
Open Table
As localized restaurant reservation site for consumers that also provides review and deals; in addition over 14,000 restaurant companies use the OpenTable system.
The NRA’s YouTube channel
Videos from The National Restaurant Association including industry updates and forecasts.
Groupon Works
Groupon is a group coupon site that offers consumers deals to local businesses including restaurants. There are scores of similar sites online and under development and are growing trend affecting restaurants.
HealthyDiningFinder.com
Website that helps consumers locate dietitian-approved Healthy Dining menu options; the company provides restaurants with a variety of nutrition services.
Yelp.Com
Another consumer review site that is affecting local restaurants; Yelp sells business owners advertising packages and has been accused of manipulating reviews for merchants who do not sign up.
Foursquare
Another social networking website that anyone who runs a restaurant should be familiar with. The service is available on mobile devices with GPS and allows user to ‘check in’ at restaurants and other retail establishments.
Online Ordering Wiki Entry
There are an increasing number of systems that allow online ordering from restaurants; primarily used by large chains some believe usage will expand. This links to a brief Wikipedia entry that tracks the trend.
ChowHound
A popular online discussion board for ‘foodies’ where they swap tips, ideas and reviews – good place to learn what consumers and customers may be trending towards; part of Chow.Com.
NRA Chef Survey: What’s Hot for 2011
Each year the NRA surveys professional chefs on what trends will be hot on restaurant menus. This links to a PDF file outlining the survey results for 2011.
Restaurant.Org
The National Restaurant Association is a national trade association and advocacy group serving restaurants.
American Culinary Federation
A professional organization offering training and education programs, certification, and other resources chefs and other culinary professionals.
Nation’s Restaurant News
NRN is a trade magazine that covers all facets of the mass-market restaurant business; it includes a food and beverage section.
Chef 2 Chef
Billed as the chef’s “practical guide to practically everything” this website has all sorts of links and topics specifically for chefs.
The Back Burner
This is a blog written by employees of Tundra Specialties has articles for chefs and restaurateurs; they also publish a resource guide.
FoodInsight.Org
Food safety and nutrition information for consumers from the International Food Information Council.
FoodService.Com
This web portal for the foodservice community offers blogs, a job board. franchise center and more.
USFoodSight.Com
US Foodservice runs this site that gives chefs and others in the back of the house category information as well as news and free recipe ideas.
The International Foodservice Distributors Association
IFDA is an association pf global foodservice distributors; it provides its members research, education, legislative and regulatory assistance and programs.
Chef’s Stirrings
The official blog of Chef Magazine contains culinary news and online posts from the editors of Chef Magazine. Chef Magazine is made available online in a pageflip digital format.
PizzaMarketPlace.Com
An online portal covering the Pizza segment; sister sites include QSRWeb.Com for Quick Service segment and FastCasual.Com for the Fast Casual segment.