MRM Research Roundup: Third Places, Service Fees, and ‘Little Treat’ Culture

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features news of diner expectations, growth of service fees, late-night eating, and "Little Treat" Culture.The Need for Third PlacesSevenRooms released its first annual trends report, “2024 Restaurant Trends and Diner Expectations,” highlighting how restaurants are filling the need for ‘third places’, connection spots outside the home and workplace, what consumers expect from their dining experiences, and how restaurants are leveraging AI and automation to keep diners coming back. 

The study, commissioned through independent third-party research firm Censuswide, examines consumer and foodservice operator insights, alongside data from SevenRooms restaurant customers. It emphasizes the importance of restaurants understanding their guests and providing experiences and value to consumers, including marketing and tech trends that operators are paying attention to. 

Diners Expect More From…