MRM Research Roundup: Thanksgiving Trends, Diner Optimism, and Holiday Spending

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features news of Drinksgiving and Thanksgiving trends, FSR challenges, and "out-of-the-box" dining habits. An 'Out of the Ordinary' Year for Independents2024 was an “out of the ordinary” year for independent restaurants, according to TouchBistro's 2025 State of Restaurants Report. The annual report surveys 600 independent full-service restaurant (FSR) owners and operators from across the U.S., outlining the top challenges facing the industry, alongside the emerging trends shaping it.

While many operators struggled to keep expenses – particularly food and labor costs – under control, they also observed an increase in guest traffic and in profit margins, in part due to strong takeout and delivery sales. Key findings include:

Operators report spending 34  percent more on food costs compared to last year, on average 36  percent observed customers tipping less in response to…