Modernizing Your Vintage Diner

Ah, the 1950s style diner: where servers sometimes glide around on roller skates, milkshakes flow freely, and the music carries us back to a simpler time. These types of diners serve up more than just burgers and fries; they also wheel and deal nostalgia.

Yet in the age of new “farm-to-table,” organic, and other modern and trendy restaurants, diner owners may wonder if they still have a place in the restaurant industry. The short answer is yes, of course they do. Not only is there a demand for these types of restaurants, but they can also still be a lucrative business. You just have to be willing to make some changes to your diner to keep up with the industry.

The restaurant industry raked in nearly $800B in sales last year. Many of the restaurants that exist today are privately owned and/or have fewer than 50 employees. Diners also fall into this category, which means that they still hold value in the restaurant industry.

However, if your vintage-style diner (or regular diner…