Ranking

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

2024 Datassential 500: Guest Perception

2024 Datassential 500: Guest Perception

by David Klemt

An optical illusion consisting of black and white stripes that may be curving upward and outward

Last week we took a look at the data-driven findings that identify, organize, and rank chain restaurants in the US, forming the Datassential 500.

This annual report sorts the 500 top-performing chains by segment. Further, Datassential identifies the top chains by both number of units, and sales.

In doing so, the F&B intelligence agency uses hard numbers to determine numbers one through 500.

But what about guest perception? Unit and sales growth may appeal to board members, investors, executives, and other hospitality professionals, but what matters to the people their restaurants serve?

It’s doubtful that even the staunchest fans of a particular restaurant chain are aware of or, frankly, care about how many locations they operate. Nor are they likely all that concerned about their annual revenue, unless they’re an investor as well.

To get to the bottom of how the public perceives chain restaurants in the US, and what brands they rank at the top, Datassential looked at six key metrics.

Those metrics? Food quality, service, experience, affordability, value for dollar, and net promoter score.

While the results aren’t exactly shocking, they’re quite telling. A handful of US chains dominate the consumer-facing metrics. And for the most part, they’re not among the top ten of the 2024 Datassential 500.

Anyone interested in reading this year’s report can do so via this link. Alright, let’s check out how the public ranks US chain restaurants.

Perception Matters

To make the comparisons easier, the top 10 US restaurant chains by unit and by sales are below.

Top 10: Total Units

  1. Subway
  2. Starbucks
  3. McDonald’s
  4. Dunkin’
  5. Taco Bell
  6. Domino’s Pizza
  7. Burger King
  8. Pizza Hut
  9. Wendy’s
  10. Dairy Queen

Top 10: Total Sales

  1. McDonald’s
  2. Starbucks
  3. Chick-fil-A
  4. Taco Bell
  5. Wendy’s
  6. Dunkin’
  7. Burger King
  8. Chipotle
  9. Subway
  10. Domino’s Pizza

Guest Perception

Okay, so those are the top performers in the US, by the numbers. Units were counted, sales were analyzed.

Now, these are the brands that guests feel are at the very top, organized into six categories.

Food Quality

  1. Texas Roadhouse
  2. Chick-fil-A
  3. Longhorn Steakhouse
  4. Cheesecake Factory
  5. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Service

  1. Chick-fil-A
  2. Texas Roadhouse
  3. Longhorn Steakhouse
  4. Cheesecake Factory
  5. In-N-Out Burger

Experience

  1. Chick-fil-A
  2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  3. Texas Roadhouse
  4. Maggiano’s Little Italy
  5. In-N-Out Burger

Affordability

  1. Little Caesars
  2. Freshii
  3. Papa Murphy’s
  4. Cici’s Pizza
  5. Pollo Tropical

Value for Dollar

  1. Papa Murphy’s
  2. Little Caesars
  3. Cici’s Pizza
  4. In-N-Out Burger
  5. Del Taco

Net Promoter Score

To determine this ranking, survey participants were asked “How likely would you be to recommend this chain to friends and family?”

  1. Chick-fil-A
  2. Texas Roadhouse
  3. In-N-Out Burger
  4. Longhorn Steakhouse
  5. Portillo’s Hot Dogs
  6. Cheesecake Factory
  7. The Capital Grille
  8. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  9. Maggiano’s Little Italy
  10. Topgolf

Subway and McDonald’s may dominate the list in terms of number of units and annual sales, but Chick-fil-A dominates in one key area. Word-of-mouth marketing still matters, undeniably, and, according to Datassential, most consumers perceive Chick-fil-A as the restaurant chain to recommend.

Followed by Texas Roadhouse and In-N-Out Burger, smaller brands are delivering on important operational elements. Consumers at large appear to favor these brands when it comes to stretching their dollars, along with how they perceive the quality of food, the level of service, and the overall dining experience.

Operators interested in scaling their business need to set aside ego and desire, and look at their business objectively. They need to ensure they’re nailing the fundamentals and have the right systems in place first.

Image: BP Miller on Unsplash

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Stainless steel address numbers spelling out the number 500
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The 2024 Datassential 500

How Does the 2024 Datassential 500 Shake Out?

by David Klemt

Stainless steel address numbers spelling out the number 500

The annual Datassential 500 ranking is a valuable report that identifies industry leaders, the fastest growers, and segment performance.

Further, this yearly report shows the scale of restaurant business in the US. In a word, it’s gargantuan.

Looking at 2023 data, the top 500 chains in the US operated 238,152 units. And those 238,000-plus restaurants generated $417.13 billion in 2023.

For the former, that’s growth of 2.1 percent in comparison to 2022. And for the latter, the top 500 grew by 7.5 percent compared to last year.

Those numbers are from just 500 chains; the report doesn’t take into account other chains or independent operators. When we add all dining and drinking establishments in the US, the industry generated $1.09 trillion in 2023.

Again, the US restaurant business is a colossus.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, limited-service and quick-service restaurants are the top-performing segments by unit within the Datassential 500. In 2023, the LSR segment consisted of 212,469, and unit growth was up by 2.3 percent. The QSR segment reached 170,241, representing unit growth of 1.9 percent.

In fact, every segment but one saw unit growth in 2023. One may assume the segment that slipped was fine dining. That’s usually a safe bet, but the segment actually saw the most growth. It was midscale restaurants that suffered a bit of a blow, shrinking by 0.1 percent.

That means that LSRs, QSRs, full-service restaurants (FSRs), fast casual, casual dining, and fine dining all grew. Further, that growth ranged from 0.3 percent (FSR) to 4.6 percent (fine dining).

There are many more insights, so I encourage anyone interested to download the report for themselves.

Segment Shakedown

Before we jump into the top US chains, let’s take a look at how the categories break down.

Type of Cuisine

  • American: 88
  • Pizza: 70
  • Desserts & Snacks: 69
  • Sandwich: 47
  • Coffee: 47
  • Burger: 37
  • Mexican: 36
  • Salad & Healthy: 31
  • Southern: 24
  • Asian: 22
  • BBQ: 12
  • Steakhouse: 11
  • Italian: 9
  • Seafood: 9
  • Greek & Mediterranean: 9

Growth by Segment: Unit (LSR)

  • Salad/Healthy: +11.2%
  • Coffee: +5.9%
  • Other: +4.6%
  • Dessert/Snack: +4.3%
  • Mexican: +3.0%
  • Chicken: +2.9%
  • Pizza: +1.6%
  • Bakery-Cafe: +0.8%
  • Sandwich: -0.4%
  • Burger: -0.4%

As we can see, Salad/Healthy LSRs saw almost double the growth by unit than the next-largest segment, Coffee.

Further, Sandwich and Burger shrunk slightly.

Growth by Segment: Unit (FSR)

  • Regional/Ethnic: +7.6%
  • Sports Bar: +3.8%
  • Midscale: +0.3%
  • Seafood/Steak: +0.1%
  • Italian/Pizza: -0.9%
  • American: -2.0%

Regional and ethnic full-size restaurants saw the most growth. In fact, they grew by twice the amount of sports bars, and several times more than midscale FSRs.

Growth by Segment: Sales

  • Limited-Service Restaurant: $338.18 billion (+8.1%)
  • Quick-Service Restaurant: $263.48 billion (+8.0%)
  • Full-Service Restaurant: $78.95 billion (+5.0%)
  • Fast-Casual Restaurant: $74.70 billion (+8.6%)
  • Casual-Dining Restaurant: $55.57 billion (+4.8%)
  • Midscale Restaurant: $20.05 billion (+4.5%)
  • Fine-Dining Restaurant: $3.33 billion (+10.7%)

The good news is that every segment saw sales growth in 2022, with Fine Dining and Fast Casual experiencing the biggest increases.

Of course, that’s relative. Fine Dining generated just $3.33 billion in comparison to LSRs, which generated more than $338 billion.

Still, positive growth is always great to see.

Growth by Segment: Sales (LSR)

  • Salad/Healthy: +17.0%
  • Chicken: +11.9%
  • Dessert/Snack: +10.1%
  • Coffee: +9.8%
  • Other: +9.3%
  • Mexican: +9.1%
  • Burger: +7.5%
  • Sandwich: +7.2%
  • Bakery-Cafe: +1.8%
  • Pizza: +1.6%

Not only did Salad/Healthy lead the way in LSR unit growth in 2023, it’s the top performer in terms of sales.

Again, the good news is that the Datassential 500 saw LSR sales growth across the board.

Growth by Segment: Sales (FSR)

  • Regional/Ethnic: +10.2%
  • Seafood/Steak: +6.7%
  • Midscale: +5.2%
  • Italian/Pizza: +4.2%
  • American: +3.8%
  • Sports Bar: +3.2%

As far as FSR performance, every segment experienced growth, with Regional/Ethnic leading the charge.

The Top 5(00)

So, which US chains are at the top? Well, an accurate answer depends on segment, number of units, and sales.

Oh, and it also depends on whether we’re talking about which chains Datassential have identified as industry leaders, and which are the fastest growers.

Industry Leaders

According to Datassential, the top five US chains by number of stores are Subway (20,133), Starbucks (16,346), McDonald’s (13,449), Dunkin’ (9,580), and Taco Bell (7,405).

However, that ranking changes a bit when we look at through the lens of sales. In that case, the top five are McDonald’s ($52.91 billion), Starbucks ($29.98 billion), Chick-fil-A ($21.58 billion), Taco Bell ($13.95 billion), and Wendy’s ($12.29 billion).

Those are the industry stalwarts. How do the fastest-growing US chains stack up?

Fastest Growers

Looking at unit growth over the span of one year, the top performers in the US are 7 Brew (+373.7 percent), The Peach Cobbler Factory (+358.3 percent), Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken (+281.8 percent), KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot (+275.0 percent), and Foxtail Coffee Co (+176.2 percent).

Switching gears to sales growth over a single year, Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken led the way, growing by more than 500 percent. Hangry Joe’s is followed by The Peach Cobbler Factory (+332.5% percent), Nick The Greek (+304.7 percent), 7 Brew (+267.3 percent), and Pizza King Inc (+264.7 percent).

However, Datassential gets more granular in their 2024 report, breaking down the top five across multiple segments.

Top Ranked By Unit (Overall)

Top 5: Quick Service

  1. Subway
  2. McDonald’s
  3. Dunkin’
  4. Taco Bell
  5. Domino’s Pizza

Top 5: Fast Casual

  1. Starbucks
  2. Chipotle
  3. Panera Bread
  4. Wingstop
  5. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Top 5: Midscale

  1. Waffle House
  2. IHOP
  3. Denny’s
  4. Cracker Barrel
  5. First Watch

Top 5: Casual & Fine Dining

  1. Applebee’s
  2. Buffalo Wild Wings
  3. Chili’s
  4. Olive Garden
  5. Outback

Top Ranked By Unit (Growth)

Top 5: Quick Service

  1. 7 Brew
  2. The Peach Cobbler Factory
  3. Foxtail Coffee Co
  4. Cupbop
  5. Swig

Top 5: Fast Casual

  1. Hangry Joes Hot Chicken
  2. Just Love Coffee Cafe
  3. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
  4. Nautical Bowls
  5. Ellianos Coffee Co

Top 5: Midscale

  1. Snooze Restaurant
  2. Eggs Up Grill
  3. Kura Sushi Bar
  4. Another Broken Egg Cafe
  5. Maple Street Biscuit Co.

Top 5: Casual & Fine Dining

  1. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
  2. Topgolf
  3. The Juicy Crab
  4. Jinya Ramen Bar
  5. Hopdoddy Burger Bar

There are many more insights to be had, so please consider downloading your own copy of the 2024 Datassential 500 report here.

Image: Thiago Giardini via Pexels

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Aerial view of Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan coastline
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Indies: Which Cities Lead the Way?

Independents: Which Cities Lead the Way?

by David Klemt

Aerial view of Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan coastline

The majority of the top ten indie restaurants on the Restaurant Business Top 100 Independents ranking are in two American cities.

Those two cities are Miami Beach, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois. While Miami Beach claims two spots among the top three, Chicago has the most restaurants in the top ten. However, the top three indies are all in Florida, with number two being the Boathouse in Orlando.

So, Florida and Illinois are home to nearly the entire top ten of Restaurant Business’ Top 100 Independents. That’s impressive.

What’s even more impressive is the combined annual sales figure of the top ten: $333.4 million. Now, let’s separate Miami Beach. The three indies in the Florida city generated nearly $114 million themselves. Chicago’s four indies among the top ten generated $118 million.

Taken together, the top 100 indies generated $1.95 billion.

All told, 14 of the top 100 indies as ranked by Restaurant Business are in Chicago. Five are in Miami Beach, and five are in Miami. Before I move on, no, Miami Beach and Miami aren’t the same city; they’re entirely separate municipalities. In total, 16 restaurants on this list are in Florida.

New York boasts 15 restaurants on the list. Four are in San Francisco, and just two are in Los Angeles. However, California claims 15 restaurants in total.

However, as you’ll see below, this Restaurant Business list consists of more than just the usual big cities.

Restaurant Business Top 100 Independents: The Top Ten

Below, the top ten independent restaurants, per Restaurant Business.

  1. Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant (Miami Beach, Florida)
  2. The Boathouse (Orlando, Florida)
  3. Komodo Miami (Miami Beach, Florida)
  4. Maple & Ash Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
  5. Mila (Miami Beach, Florida)
  6. Sierra Mar (Big Sur, California)
  7. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse (Chicago, Illinois)
  8. Gibsons Italia (Chicago, Illinois)
  9. Alexxa’s (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  10. Alinea (Chicago, Illinois)

Alinea commands the highest average check among the top ten, at $650. The most reasonable is the Boathouse, averaging $45.

Interestingly—and perhaps logically—these two restaurants find themselves in the inverse when it comes to annual meals served. The Boathouse serves the most: just over one million. And Alinea, among the top ten indies, serves the least: nearly 45,700.

Notably, when we move on to numbers 11 to 20, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York account for six restaurants.

However, it’s also notable that it’s not just the usual big cities with restaurants on this list. Smaller cities, such as Frankenmuth in Michigan, are home to some of America’s top-performing independent restaurants.

For some context, Frankenmuth has a population of less than 5,200 people. However, Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” draws three million tourists per year. So, it’s no surprise that Zehnder’s Restaurant generates more than $19 million in annual sales.

Restaurant Business Top 100 Independents: The Bottom Ten

Just for fun, let’s take a look at the bottom ten on the Restaurant Business list.

  1. Siena Tavern (Chicago, Illinois)
  2. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar (Charleston, South Carolina)
  3. Electric Lemon NY (New York, New York)
  4. Bar Siena (Chicago, Illinois)
  5. El Vez (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  6. Mi Vida (Washington, DC)
  7. Scoma’s Restaurant (San Francisco, California)
  8. Mexican Sugar (Las Colinas, Texas)
  9. The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint (Ocean Springs, Mississippi)
  10. Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar (Miami, Florida)

Adding context, these ten restaurants have generated $114.6 million in annual sales. That’s roughly the same amount of annual sales as the three restaurants in Miami Beach in the top ten.

Each of the “bottom” ten has annual sales ranging from $11.2 million to $11.9 million.

Takeaway

We all know the following axiom: “Location, location, location.”

It’s tempting to assume this means a business must be in a major city. That’s a woeful oversimplification. Myriad considerations must be made when looking at a market, whether the population is in the hundreds or millions. Assuming a concept will drive traffic and generate millions of dollars solely because it’s in a major city is foolish.

Let’s take another look at Zehnder’s in Frankenmuth. The restaurant, number 47 on the list, generated $19.2 million in annual sales. Moreover, it’s in a town with a population under 5,200.

Number 46 generated $19.3 million and is in (on?) Waimea in Hawaii. Number 48 boasted annual sales of $19 million and is in a city with a population of almost 2.7 million: Chicago.

Clearly, tourism a key contributing factor to the success of Zehnder’s. Not population, not the demographics of the permanent residents, not big-city status.

So, what about check average? Alinea, number ten, has the highest at $650 and generated $28.3 million in sales. However, the Spot, number 85, has an average check of $18 and generated $12.3 million.

The success of any restaurant, bar, nightlife or eatertainment concept doesn’t come down to a single element. What sets a concept apart is a deep understanding of a specific market, the surrounding markets, “sister” sites and competitors, guest desires and expectations, and so much more.

How does an operator come to understand their operation and their market? A feasibility study to start. Then comes a thorough, coherent concept plan and a complete business plan, and an obsession with data.

Operators who put in the work to attain strategic clarity have the potential to earn their way onto the Top 100 Independents list.

Image: Cameron Casey on Pexels

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ARCA bar in Tulum, Mexico
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

2023 World’s 50 Best Bars: 51 to 100

2023 World’s 50 Best Bars: 51 to 100

by David Klemt

ARCA bar in Tulum, Mexico

ARCA in Tulum, Mexico

Check out the back half of the 2023 World’s 50 Best Bars list ahead of the one through 50 reveal taking place in Singapore on October 17.

In terms of single-country performance, the United States of America claims the most spots on this list with six. Unsurprisingly, four of these bars in New York. Rounding out the six American venues are one in Chicago and one in California.

However, in combination with Mexico and Canada, North America earns 11 places. Unfortunately, Canada earns just one spot with a bar in Toronto. Mexico City, however, is home to two of the best bars in North America (and the world).

It’s Europe as a whole, though, that boasts the most positions, with 17 bars on the list. Five of the 17 are in England.

Asia comes in second as a continent with 14 venues on the back half of the 2023 World’s 50 Best Bars. It should come as no surprise that Singapore claims five spots.

Congratulations to the bar teams below!

To review the 2022 51 to 100 list, click here.

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023: 100 to 51

It’s only a matter of time until a number of these incredible venues break through to the top half of this list.

  1. Artesian (London, England, UK)
  2. Employees Only (New York, New York, USA)
  3. The Bar in Front of the Bar (Athens, Greece)
  4. Dark Side (Hong Kong)
  5. Lost & Found (Nicosia, Cyprus)
  6. Schofield’s (Manchester, England, UK)
  7. Sin + Tax (Johannesburg, South Africa)
  8. Tjoget (Stockholm, Sweden)
  9. Donovan Bar (London, England, UK)
  10. Maison Premiere (New York, New York, USA)
  11. Mirror Bar (Bratislava, Slovakia)
  12. Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California, USA)
  13. Red Frog (Lisbon, Portugal)
  14. Ruby (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  15. Nouvelle Vague (Tirana, Albania)
  16. Camparino in Galleria (Milan, Italy)
  17. Svanen (Oslo, Norway)
  18. Native (Singapore)
  19. Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
  20. Kaito del Valle (Mexico City, Mexico)
  21. La Sala de Laura (Bogotá, Colombia)
  22. High Five (Tokyo, Japan)
  23. Analogue Initiative (Singapore)
  24. Velvet (Berlin, Germany)
  25. Swift (London, England, UK)
  26. Bar Cham (Seoul, South Korea)
  27. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou, Guangdong, China)
  28. Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  29. Rayo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  30. Penicillin (Hong Kong)
  31. Barro Negro (Athens, Greece)
  32. Ergo (Dubai, UAE)
  33. Martiny’s (New York, New York, USA)
  34. Side Car (New Delhi, Delhi, India)
  35. Tropic City (Bangkok, Thailand)
  36. El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
  37. Nutmeg & Clove (Singapore)
  38. Manhattan (Singapore)
  39. Hero Bar (Nairobi, Kenya)
  40. Byrdi (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
  41. ARCA (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  42. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)
  43. SubAstor (São Paulo, Brazil)
  44. Attaboy (New York, New York, USA)
  45. Tan Tan (São Paulo, Brazil)
  46. Vesper (Bangkok, Thailand)
  47. Lyaness (London, England, UK)
  48. The Bellwood (Tokyo, Japan)
  49. Lady Bee (Lima, Perú)
  50. Danico (Paris, France)

The World's 50 Best Bars 2023, numbers 51 to 100

2023 New Entries

Among these 50 bars are 14 new entries:

  • Lady Bee (No. 52)
  • Arca (No. 60)
  • El Gallo Altanero (No. 65)
  • Martiny’s (No. 68)
  • Ergo (No. 69)
  • Rayo (No. 72)
  • Civil Liberties (No. 73)
  • Bar Cham (No. 75)
  • Velvet (No. 77)
  • Kaito del Valle (No. 81)
  • Svanen (No. 84)
  • Nouvelle Vague (No. 86)
  • Mirror Bar (No. 90)
  • The Bar in Front of the Bar (No. 98)

Remember, the World’s 50 Best will reveal bars one through 50 in Singapore on October 17 at 8:25 PM UTC. Cheers!

Image: The World’s 50 Best Bars / ARCA

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OpenAI logo on smartphone screen, resting on laptop keyboard
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

SEO Tips from AI: Hotels & Camps

SEO Tips from AI: Hotels, Camps & Lodges

by David Klemt

OpenAI logo on smartphone screen, resting on laptop keyboard

After asking ChatGPT to suggest SEO improvements for restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, we’ve done the same for the hotel space.

This is part two of our AI-generated SEO tips series. In part one, we focus on restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and eatertainment venues.

For this part, we ask ChatGPT about improving SEO for boutique hotels, independently owned hotels, boutique and luxury campgrounds, and boutique and luxury lodges.

The boutique and luxury outdoor experiential market is heating up. So, I was curious about what keywords and advice ChatGPT would recommend to help operators in this space stand out and improve their odds for discover.

Personally, I found some of the keyword suggestions helpful. However, these are terms we at KRG Hospitality already know to include in our brand identity and marketing plans.

Simply put, I don’t think AI rivals what humans can create when it comes to brand identity and marketing. But, you should read the following and decide for yourself.

What specific terms are the best for boutique or independently owned hotels to use for SEO ranking?

For boutique or independently owned hotels, it’s important to focus on specific terms that highlight the unique aspects of your property and appeal to your target audience. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial for SEO ranking:

  1. Hotel Name: Ensure that your hotel’s name is prominently featured in your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs to associate your website with your hotel’s name.
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for hotels in your area. For example, use terms like “boutique hotels in [location],” “[location] luxury accommodations,” or “independent hotels near [landmark].”
  3. Unique Selling Points: Highlight the unique features and qualities of your boutique hotel. Optimize your website with keywords that reflect these selling points, such as “boutique hotel with rooftop pool,” “intimate luxury accommodations,” or “designer boutique hotel in [location].”
  4. Style and Theme: If your boutique hotel has a specific style or theme, incorporate relevant keywords. For example, use terms like “vintage-inspired boutique hotel,” “modern boutique accommodations,” or “bohemian chic hotel in [location].”
  5. Amenities and Services: Emphasize the distinctive amenities and services your boutique hotel offers. Optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings, such as “boutique hotel with spa,” “gourmet dining experiences,” or “personalized concierge services.”
  6. Local Attractions and Experiences: If your boutique hotel is close to popular local attractions or offers unique experiences, mention them on your website. Optimize with keywords related to these attractions and experiences to attract visitors searching for accommodations near specific landmarks or seeking specific activities.
  7. Sustainable or Eco-Friendly: If your boutique hotel has a focus on sustainability or eco-friendliness, incorporate related keywords. Use terms like “eco-friendly accommodations,” “green boutique hotel,” or “sustainable practices in [location].”
  8. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage guests to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can boost your hotel’s visibility in search results and attract more bookings.
  9. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.
  10. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media into your SEO strategy by linking your website to your hotel’s social media profiles. Engage with your audience, share updates about your hotel, and encourage user-generated content through social media channels.

Remember to conduct keyword research specific to your boutique hotel’s offerings, style, and target audience. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your hotel’s online visibility and attract more guests.

What specific terms are the best for boutique and luxury campgrounds and lodges to use for SEO ranking?

For boutique and luxury campgrounds and lodges, it’s important to use specific terms that highlight the unique features, amenities, and experiences your property offers. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial for SEO ranking:

  1. Campground or Lodge Name: Ensure that your property’s name is prominently featured in your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs to associate your website with your campground or lodge’s name.
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for campgrounds or lodges in your area. For example, use terms like “luxury campground in [location],” “[location] glamping site,” or “boutique lodge near [landmark].”
  3. Nature and Outdoor Keywords: Emphasize the natural beauty and outdoor experiences available at your campground or lodge. Optimize your website with keywords related to activities like hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, or stargazing. Use terms like “nature retreat,” “wilderness campground,” or “outdoor adventure in [location].”
  4. Unique Accommodations: If your campground or lodge offers unique accommodations like glamping tents, treehouses, or luxury cabins, highlight them on your website. Optimize with keywords like “glamping experience,” “luxury safari tents,” or “secluded treehouse retreat.”
  5. Amenities and Services: Showcase the luxurious amenities and services your campground or lodge provides. Optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings, such as “heated swimming pool,” “private chef services,” “spa and wellness facilities,” or “concierge services.”
  6. Sustainable or Eco-Friendly: If your campground or lodge follows sustainable practices or has an eco-friendly focus, incorporate related keywords. Use terms like “eco-conscious accommodations,” “sustainable camping,” or “green lodge in [location].”
  7. Nearby Attractions and Activities: Highlight popular nearby attractions, landmarks, or outdoor activities that guests can enjoy during their stay. Optimize with keywords related to these attractions and activities to attract visitors searching for accommodations near specific points of interest.
  8. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage guests to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can boost your campground or lodge’s visibility in search results and attract more bookings.
  9. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.
  10. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media into your SEO strategy by linking your website to your campground or lodge’s social media profiles. Engage with your audience, share updates about your property, and encourage user-generated content through social media channels.

Remember to conduct keyword research specific to your campground or lodge’s offerings, location, and target audience. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your property’s online visibility and attract more guests.

Takeaway

Just like AI-generated tips for SEO and discovery for restaurants and bars, there needs to be a human element for hotels, campgrounds, and lodges.

Relying on AI to improve search engine ranking isn’t, at this point, the best strategy. Perhaps one day that will change, but today isn’t that day.

The answers to my questions do provide some good tips regarding specific keywords and SEO practices. However, I wouldn’t suggest that operators trust AI to write their listings or the pages on their websites.

As it stands, in my opinion, AI just can’t match what people can do when it comes to marketing, branding, and discovery.

Image: Levart_Photographer on Unsplash

KRG Hospitality marketing support. Restaurant. Bar. Cafe. Lounge. Hotel. Resort.

OpenAI ChatGPT logo against matching background
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

SEO Tips from AI: Restaurants & Bars

SEO Tips from AI: Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs

by David Klemt

OpenAI ChatGPT logo against matching background

We aren’t fans of artificial intelligence “creating” marketing plans but can chatbots help improve SEO by offering keywords and making other suggestions?

Since AI tools such as ChatGPT can instantly crawl the depths of the Internet, we want to know if they can provide “insider” tips. Perhaps they have a leg up when it comes to parsing what helps and what hurts SEO ranking.

Restaurant, bar, and nightclub websites still matter. Consider the latest SevenRooms data in regards to how people discover new places to dine, drink, and socialize. Two-thirds of consumers rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from family and friends. A third use Google.

So, that should show how important it is to ensure your restaurant, bar, or nightclub is showing up right away when people are using search engines.

For the first part of our AI SEO series, I ask ChatGPT for suggestions for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and eatertainment venues. In the follow-up article, I ask for assistance for hotels, campgrounds, and lodges.

Note: ChatGPT’s answers are provided below unedited. There’s some repetition, which is to be expected.

What specific terms are the best for restaurants to use for SEO ranking?

When it comes to specific terms for SEO ranking for restaurants, it’s important to consider keywords that are relevant to your restaurant’s niche, location, and target audience. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial:

  1. Cuisine Keywords: Incorporate specific cuisine-related keywords that reflect the type of food your restaurant serves. For example, if you have an Italian restaurant, use terms like “Italian cuisine,” “authentic Italian dishes,” or “Italian restaurant [location].”
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for restaurants in your area. For instance, use terms like “best restaurants in [location],” “[location] dining,” or “[location] food scene.”
  3. Menu Items: Optimize your website for specific menu items that are popular or unique to your restaurant. Include descriptive keywords for these dishes, such as “signature seafood pasta,” “gourmet burger with truffle aioli,” or “vegan-friendly options.”
  4. Dining Experience Keywords: Highlight specific aspects of your restaurant’s dining experience. For example, if you have a rooftop terrace, mention it with keywords like “rooftop dining [location]” or “alfresco dining with city views.”
  5. Special Occasions: If your restaurant caters to special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or private events, optimize with related keywords. Use terms like “private event venue,” “birthday dinner reservations,” or “romantic anniversary restaurant.”
  6. Farm-to-Table or Sustainable Keywords: If your restaurant emphasizes locally sourced or sustainable ingredients, incorporate related keywords. Use terms like “farm-to-table dining,” “organic ingredients,” or “sustainable seafood.”
  7. Brunch or Breakfast Keywords: If your restaurant serves brunch or breakfast, optimize your website for keywords related to these meals. Use terms like “weekend brunch spot,” “best breakfast in [location],” or “bottomless mimosa brunch.”
  8. Online Ordering and Delivery: If your restaurant offers online ordering or food delivery services, optimize your website with related keywords. Use terms like “online food ordering,” “food delivery [location],” or “order food online.”
  9. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can boost your restaurant’s visibility in search results and attract more customers.
  10. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.

Remember, it’s crucial to conduct keyword research specific to your restaurant’s offerings and target audience. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your restaurant’s online visibility and attract more diners.

What specific terms are the best for bars to use for SEO ranking?

When it comes to specific terms for SEO ranking for bars, it’s important to consider keywords that are relevant to your bar’s theme, location, and target audience. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial:

  1. Bar Name: Ensure that your bar’s name is prominently featured in your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs to associate your website with your bar’s name.
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for bars in your area. For example, use terms like “best bars in [location],” “[location] nightlife,” or “bars near [landmark].”
  3. Bar Type or Theme: Incorporate specific keywords related to your bar’s type or theme. For instance, if you have a sports bar, use terms like “sports bar,” “sports pub,” or “sports viewing in [location].” If your bar has a specific theme like a speakeasy, mention keywords like “speakeasy bar,” “1920s-inspired bar,” or “craft cocktails in a hidden bar.”
  4. Drink Specialties: Highlight popular drinks or signature cocktails on your website and optimize the descriptions with relevant keywords. For example, use terms like “craft cocktails,” “mixology bar,” or “unique drink creations.”
  5. Happy Hour and Specials: If your bar offers happy hour specials or unique promotions, optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings. Use terms like “happy hour deals,” “drink specials,” or “late-night promotions.”
  6. Entertainment and Events: If your bar hosts live music, DJs, trivia nights, or other events, optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings. For instance, use terms like “live music bar,” “DJ nights,” or “weekly trivia at [bar name].”
  7. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can boost your bar’s visibility in search results and attract more customers.
  8. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.
  9. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media into your SEO strategy by linking your website to your bar’s social media profiles. Engage with your audience, share updates about your bar, and encourage user-generated content through social media channels.
  10. Events Calendar: If your bar has a calendar of upcoming events, optimize it with keywords related to the types of events you host. For example, use terms like “live music schedule,” “karaoke nights,” or “themed parties at [bar name].”

Remember, it’s important to conduct keyword research specific to your bar’s offerings and target audience. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your bar’s online visibility and attract more customers.

What specific terms are the best for eatertainment venues similar to Topgolf or Punch Bowl Social to use for SEO ranking?

For eatertainment venues similar to Topgolf or Punch Bowl Social, it’s important to use specific terms that highlight the unique features, activities, and experiences your venue offers. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial for SEO ranking:

  1. Venue Name: Ensure that your venue’s name is prominently featured in your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs to associate your website with your venue’s name.
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for similar venues in your area. For example, use terms like “Topgolf-style venue in [location],” “entertainment center in [location],” or “[location] eatertainment complex.”
  3. Interactive Games and Activities: Highlight the various interactive games and activities available at your venue. Optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings, such as “interactive golf games,” “arcade entertainment,” “bowling alley,” “virtual reality experiences,” or “multiplayer experiences.”
  4. Social Atmosphere: Emphasize the social and vibrant atmosphere of your venue. Use keywords that convey a fun and engaging experience, such as “socializing with friends,” “lively entertainment environment,” or “party and event destination.”
  5. Food and Drink: Highlight the dining and beverage options available at your eatertainment venue. Optimize your website with keywords related to your menu, such as “gourmet food and craft cocktails,” “full-service restaurant with a bar,” or “delicious bites and refreshing drinks.”
  6. Entertainment Variety: Showcase the variety of entertainment options available at your venue. Use keywords related to live performances, music, comedy shows, or special events. For example, “live music venue,” “comedy club,” or “special event space.”
  7. Private Events and Group Activities: If your venue caters to private events or offers group activities, optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings. Use terms like “private event venue,” “corporate team-building activities,” or “party room reservations.”
  8. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage guests to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can improve your venue’s visibility in search results and attract more visitors.
  9. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.
  10. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media into your SEO strategy by linking your website to your venue’s social media profiles. Engage with your audience, share updates about upcoming events or promotions, and encourage user-generated content through social media channels.

Remember to conduct keyword research specific to your eatertainment venue’s offerings, target audience, and location. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your venue’s online visibility and attract more visitors.

What specific terms are the best for nightclubs to use for SEO ranking?

When it comes to specific terms for SEO ranking for nightclubs, it’s crucial to consider keywords that are relevant to your nightclub’s niche, location, and target audience. Here are some specific terms that can be beneficial:

  1. Nightclub Name: Ensure that your nightclub’s name is prominently featured in your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs to associate your website with your nightclub’s name.
  2. Location-Based Keywords: Include location-specific keywords throughout your website to target customers searching for nightclubs in your area. For example, use terms like “nightclubs in [location],” “[location] nightlife,” or “dance clubs near [location].”
  3. Music Genre: Incorporate specific music genre-related keywords that reflect the type of music your nightclub specializes in. For instance, if you focus on electronic dance music, use terms like “EDM nightclub,” “electronic dance club,” or “techno parties in [location].” If you cater to hip-hop enthusiasts, include keywords like “hip-hop club,” “urban nightlife,” or “R&B parties in [location].”
  4. DJ Names: If your nightclub regularly hosts renowned DJs or has resident DJs, mention their names on your website. People often search for specific DJs, so including their names can increase your nightclub’s visibility.
  5. Event Themes: Highlight specific event themes or special nights that your nightclub offers. Optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings. For example, use terms like “themed parties,” “ladies’ night,” “Latin night,” or “80s retro dance party.”
  6. VIP Experience: If your nightclub offers VIP experiences, bottle service, or VIP table reservations, optimize your website with keywords related to these offerings. Use terms like “VIP nightclub experience,” “bottle service in [location],” or “VIP table bookings.”
  7. Dress Code: If your nightclub has a specific dress code policy, mention it on your website and optimize with relevant keywords like “nightclub dress code,” “dress to impress,” or “formal attire.”
  8. Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can improve your nightclub’s visibility in search results and attract more customers.
  9. Local SEO: Implement local SEO strategies by optimizing your website for local search results. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across directories, and getting listed in local online directories.
  10. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media into your SEO strategy by linking your website to your nightclub’s social media profiles. Engage with your audience, share updates about upcoming events, and encourage user-generated content through social media channels.

Remember to conduct keyword research specific to your nightclub’s offerings and target audience. Regularly monitor your website’s performance, track keyword rankings, and adapt your SEO strategy as needed to improve your nightclub’s online visibility and attract more attendees.

Takeaway

Operators need to pay attention to SEO ranking and discovery. They need to own their listings and make sure the information is accurate.

While AI can help with keywords and search terms, it doesn’t appear to be at the point where it can manage your SEO or marketing strategy. There are platforms like Toast, Restaurant365 and SevenRooms that can make marketing simpler. However, people still do the best job.

At KRG Hospitality, for instance, we create brand strategy plans. We also partner with restaurant marketing experts like Matt Plapp and America’s Best Restaurants.

Can AI streamline tasks? Yes, it can simplify and, in some cases, take over some tasks. Can it create effective, engaging marketing strategies that perform better than those created and executed by humans? In our experience and opinion, no.

I think the answers to my SEO questions above are helpful in terms of making suggestions that operators can use today to improve their odds of being discovered by guests. And I still don’t think operators can offload marketing responsibilities to AI.

Image: Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

KRG Hospitality tech stack plan. Restaurant. Bar. Cafe. Lounge. Nightclub. Hotel. Resort.

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The 50 Best Bars in North America

The 50 Best Bars in North America in 2023

by David Klemt

Double Chicken Please cocktail bar interior

Double Chicken Please in New York City is number one on this year’s list.

The buildup toward this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars is growing with the recent announcement of North America’s 50 Best Bars.

Mexico City, the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars host city, is home to several of this year’s rankings. A true cocktail destination loaded with extraordinary bars, Mexico City boasts eight entries. Overall, 14 of the 50 bars on the 2023 list are in Mexico.

Of course, New York City also claims an impressive number of bars earning spots on the list. In fact, NYC boasts 12 of the 50 best bars in North America. More than half of the bars—28—are in the US.

Not that anyone asked, two of the bars on the 2023 list are in the city where I was born, Chicago: Kumiko and Milk Room. And I’m going to give a special nod to Herbs & Rye, number 27 and located in my hometown of Las Vegas (and the US headquarters of KRG Hospitality).

Herbs & Rye cocktail bar and restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada

Of the 50 best bars in North America, Canada is home to seven. Four of these are in Toronto (where KRG Hospitality’s global headquarters are located), two are in Montreal, and one is in Vancouver.

Just one bar in the Caribbean makes the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars list. But what a bar: La Factoría is number 24.

Below you’ll find this year’s rankings; destination awards; and individual awards. Speaking of, congratulations to Julio Cabrera and Christine Wiseman! You’ll see why as you scroll. To review last year’s list, please click here.

Congratulations to all the bars and their bar teams representing the best of North America in 2023!

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Destination Award Winners

The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier

Double Chicken Please (No. 1; New York City, New York)

The Best Bar in South USA, sponsored by Torres Brandy

Jewel of the South (No. 5; New Orleans, Louisiana)

The Best Bar in the Midwest USA, sponsored by Rémy Martin

Kumiko (No. 8; Chicago, Illinois)

The Best Bar in the West USA, sponsored by Naked Malt

Thunderbolt (No. 10; Los Angeles, California)

The Best Bar in the Caribbean, sponsored by Scrappy’s Bitters

La Factoría (No. 24; San Juan, Puerto Rico)

The Best Bar in Canada, sponsored by Tia Maria

Civil Liberties (No. 12; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

The Best Bar in Mexico, sponsored by Bareksten

Handshake Speakeasy (No. 2; Mexico City, Mexico)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars

  1. Milady’s (New York City, New York)
  2. Youngblood (San Diego, California)
  3. Platform 18 (Phoenix, Arizona)
  4. Brujas (Mexico City, Mexico)
  5. Clover Club (New York City, New York)
  6. Allegory (Washington, DC)
  7. The Dead Rabbit (New York City, New York)
  8. Bar Mordecai (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  9. Yacht Club (Denver, Colorado)
  10. Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu, Hawaii)
  11. Aruba Day Drink (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)
  12. Maison Premiere (New York City, New York)
  13. Milk Room (Chicago, Illinois)
  14. Mother (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  15. Cure (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  16. Cloakroom (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  17. Sweet Liberty (Miami, Florida)
  18. Service Bar (Washington, DC)
  19. Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal, Québec, Canada)
  20. Selva (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  21. Death & Co. (Los Angeles, California)
  22. Martiny’s (New York City, New York)
  23. Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, California)
  24. Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  25. Kaito del Valle (Mexico City, Mexico)
  26. Café de Nadie (Mexico City, Mexico)
  27. La Factoría (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
  28. Arca (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  29. Sabina Sabe (Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico)
  30. El Gallo Altanero (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
  31. Hanky Panky (Mexico City, Mexico)
  32. Botanist Bar (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
  33. Mace (New York City, New York)
  34. Rayo (Mexico City, Mexico)
  35. Baltra Bar (Mexico City, Mexico)
  36. Bar Pompette (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  37. Employees Only (New York City, New York)
  38. Attaboy (New York City, New York)
  39. Civil Liberties (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
  40. Zapote Bar (Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
  41. Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, California)
  42. Café La Trova (Miami, Florida)
  43. Kumiko (Chicago, Illinois)
  44. Overstory (New York City, New York)
  45. Dante (New York City, New York)
  46. Jewel of the South (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  47. Licorería Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico)
  48. Katana Kitten (New York City, New York)
  49. Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, Mexico)
  50. Double Chicken Please (New York City, New York)

2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars Individual Awards

Roku Industry Icon Award 2023

Julio Cabrera (No. 9; Café La Trova; Miami, Florida)

Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award 2023

Christine Wiseman (Bar Lab Hospitality)

Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2023

Botanist Bar (No. 19; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2023

Allegory (No. 45; Washington, DC)

Disarronno Highest New Entry Award 2023

Bar Pompette (No. 15; Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Nikka Highest Climber Award 2023

Overstory (No. 7; New York City, New York)

Campari One to Watch Award 2023

Manhatta (New York City, New York)

London Essence Best New Opening Award 2023

Rayo (No. 17; Mexico City, Mexico)

Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2023

Yacht Club (No. 42; Denver, Colorado)

Double Chicken Please image: Emmanuel Rosario / Hanna Lee Communications. Herbs & Rye image courtesy of Hanna Lee Communications.

KRG Hospitality. Bar Consultant. Nightclub. Lounge. Mixology. Cocktails.

Waves crashing on beach
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

2023 Reveal: The World’s 50 Best Hotels

2023 Reveal: The World’s 50 Best Hotels

by David Klemt

Waves crashing on beach

The World’s 50 Best Hotels launches this year, completing the hospitality puzzle as it joins the World’s 50 Best Bars and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Mark Sansom, content director for the World’s 50 Best Bars, shares details of the new list on episode 90 of the Bar Hacks podcast. To learn more about Mark and the World’s 50 Best Bars, you can also listen to episode 82 of Bar Hacks.

This is huge news for the hospitality, travel, and accommodation sectors. Sansom and the team go to great lengths when it comes to every detail of the World’s 50 Best Bars. Indeed, the awards ceremony is truly the Oscars of the bar world. Just take a look at the video below:

In fact, it’s likely a bit more fun than the Oscars. A room full of the best bar teams and industry professionals? You know it’s a nonstop party.

I say to say this: I expect the Oscars of the hotel world for the inaugural 50 Best Hotels ceremony. And I’m confident the team will deliver on that expectation.

To see the World’s 50 Best Bars for 2022, click here. For the World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2022, follow this link.

Who Decides?

You’re probably wondering how all of this “works.” Just who decides, among all the hotels throughout the world, which are the 50 best?

As Sansom explains on the Bar Hacks podcast, hundreds of people decide.

For 2023, the World’s 50 Best Hotels is split into nine regions. That’s likely to grow (50 Best Bars and Restaurants each have 28 regions) but for now, that’s the breakdown.

Each of those regions is headed by an Academy Chair. The global Academy Chairs hand select voters. In this case, a mix of 580 travel journalists, educators, hospitality professionals, hoteliers, and luxury travelers. The voters are tasked with highlighting their top seven hotel experiences from the past two years.

A small board of directors isn’t deciding which hotels will make the list. There’s no small group choosing the ranking. Instead, hundreds of industry pros and hotel guests will determine the best of the best.

How do They Decide?

This is one of my favorite details. When it comes to criteria…there isn’t any.

I like this for several reasons, one of which is that nothing arbitrary is limiting these awards. Don’t have a pool? That’s fine. No steam shower in the en suite? Okay.

By eschewing criteria, no concept is left out—no property is excluded. As Sansom says on episode 90 of Bar Hacks, imposing criteria means people could miss out on experiencing stunning twelve-room boutique hotel.

Therefore, this list isn’t the exclusive domain of multi-unit, multi-concept hotel groups. Certainly there will be chain properties up for consideration. However, they’ll be mixing it up with boutique and solo, independent hotels.

Sansom also reveals what’s driving them to launch the World’s 50 Best Hotels. Far from a vanity project, this list is about helping the industry.

Like hospitality, travel and accommodation are recovering from a global pandemic. Highlighting the best hotels in the world should inspire people to get back to leisure travel.

The list will be revealed in September of this year. Make sure to watch this space and connect with the World’s 50 Best Hotels for more details, including the awards ceremony host city.

Follow the 50 Best Hotels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. To learn more, visit their website.

Image: Shifaaz shamoon on Unsplash

KRG Hospitality Boutique Hotels, 2023 icon

Yellow smiley face ball
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Which Cities and States are the Happiest?

Which US Cities and States are the Happiest?

by David Klemt

Yellow smiley face ball

As an entrepreneur and operator evaluating a market for a first location or expansion, it can help to know where people are happiest.

Equally as helpful: Knowing the cities and states that are the least happy. Not, necessarily, so an operator can avoid these markets.

Rather, one’s concept may be a ray of stress-free sunshine for a given community. Providing a great workplace with a positive culture can work wonders for both the happiest and least-happy places. And as the cornerstones of the communities they serve, restaurants and bars can improve their guests’ quality of life.

We’ve looked at the US cities with the greatest inflow and outflow (which can reveal happiness levels), as identified by Redfin. And we’ve checked out the best US retirement cities, researched by Clever.

Now, we’re taking a look at which US cities and states are the happiest and least happy, according to WalletHub. In case you’re unaware, personal finance site WalletHub researches a vast array of topics. You can browse them here.

Happiest Cities

While determining which are happiest, WalletHub identified the happiest 182 cities. Obviously, that’s a far cry from how many cities are in the US.

According to one source, there 19,495 cities, towns, and villages across the country (per data from 2018). Of those, 4,727 cities have populations of 5,000 or more. A total of 310 cities have populations of at least 100,000, and only ten are home to one million people or more.

So, living in any of the 182 cities WalletHub suggests one is pretty happy. However, these are the ten happiest cities, in descending order:

  1. Fremont, California
  2. Columbia, Maryland
  3. San Francisco, California
  4. San Jose, California
  5. Irvine, California
  6. Madison, Wisconsin
  7. Seattle, Washington
  8. Overland Park, Kansas
  9. Huntington Beach, California
  10. San Diego, California

As you can see, six of the 10 cities are in California. In fact, 29 of the 182 cities on this list are located in the Golden State.

To create their list, WalletHub analyzed several metrics that make up three main categories: emotional and physical well-being; work environment; and community and environment.

Fremont, CA, is number one for emotional and physical well-being. The top spot for work environment goes to San Francisco, CA. And the number-one city for community and environment is Casper, Wyoming, which is number 79 on the list overall.

Least-happy Cities

Again, understanding that there are more than 19,400 cities, towns, and villages in the US alters the context of this list a bit.

Living and operating in one of these 182 cities indicates a person is living in a happy city. Basically, it isn’t the worst place to live if it’s on this list.

At any rate, let’s look at the 10 cities that make up the bottom of WalletHub’s list. Or, the “least-happy” cities, at least as far as these rankings are concerned.

  1. Detroit, Michigan
  2. Gulfport, Mississippi
  3. Memphis, Tennessee
  4. Huntington, West Virginia
  5. Montgomery, Alabama
  6. Cleveland, Ohio
  7. Augusta, Georgia
  8. Fort Smith, Arizona
  9. Mobile, Alabama
  10. Shreveport, Louisiana

Happiest States

WalletHub also ranked 50 states to determine the happiest and least happy. I checked, and, yep, that’s all of ’em! I will say it’s a bit disappointing they didn’t include Puerto Rico, but it isn’t the 51st state (yet).

WalletHub focused on 30 metrics to rank the states, which make up three main categories: emotional and physical well-being; work environment; and community and environment.

In descending order, the happiest states in America are:

  1. Hawaii
  2. Maryland
  3. Minnesota
  4. Utah
  5. New Jersey
  6. Idaho
  7. California
  8. Illinois
  9. Nebraska
  10. Connecticut

Hawaii doesn’t just take the top spot overall, it also claims number one for emotional and physical well-being. Utah takes first for work environment, and community and environment.

Rounding out the “happiest half” of the US are:

  1. Virginia
  2. South Dakota
  3. North Dakota
  4. Massachusetts
  5. New Hampshire
  6. Iowa
  7. Delaware
  8. Florida
  9. Georgia
  10. North Carolina
  11. Wisconsin
  12. Washington
  13. New York
  14. Maine
  15. Wyoming

Least-happy States

Conversely, the following are the least-happy states, starting with the unhappiest:

  1. West Virginia
  2. Louisiana
  3. Arkansas
  4. Kentucky
  5. Alabama
  6. Mississippi
  7. Oklahoma
  8. Tennessee
  9. New Mexico
  10. Missouri

Filling out the least-happy half of the country are:

  1. Alaska
  2. Michigan
  3. Ohio
  4. Indiana
  5. Texas
  6. Nevada
  7. Vermont
  8. South Carolina
  9. Kansas
  10. Arizona
  11. Colorado
  12. Montana
  13. Rhode Island
  14. Pennsylvania
  15. Oregon

In terms of the three metrics WalletHub analyzed, West Virginia is ranked last for emotional and physical well-being. Unfortunately, Mississippi is last for work environment. And Texas comes in last for community and environment.

Image: chaitanya pillala on Unsplash

Fine dining Ecuadorian dish
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Bon Appétit Reveals Best New Restaurants

Bon Appétit Reveals the Best New Restaurants in 2022

by David Klemt

Fine dining Ecuadorian dish

Condé Nast’s American food and restaurant publication Bon Appétit identifies the 50 restaurants they deem the very best in 2022.

The intriguing list highlights the consumer desire to try a wide range of global cuisines. Indeed, were one to eat their through Bon Appétit‘s 2022 list, they’d enjoy both traditional and modern:

  • African (notably, Nigerian)
  • Cantonese
  • Caribbean
  • Eastern European (Hungarian, in particular)
  • Filipino
  • French
  • Indian (including Goan and Kashmiri)
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Jewish
  • Korean
  • Laotian
  • Mexican
  • Palestinian
  • Portuguese
  • Vietnamese

Of course, one will also find American cuisine. Of note, Texas barbecue, elements of Memphis barbecue, Low Country, Cajun cooking, and Midwest comfort food. There are also restaurants offering creative takes on traditional steakhouse fare. One restaurant’s focus, The Nicolett in Lubbock, Texas, is High Plains cuisine. (For those wondering, Bon Appétit describes this as “West Texas terroir.”)

This is a compelling list, showing that consumers crave a balance between comfort food and stepping outside of their comfort zones to discover cuisines that are new to them. I encourage everyone to look into these restaurants for inspiration and motivation.

Regional Performance

For simplicity, Bon Appétit arranges their list by dividing the US into four large regions: Midwest, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, South, and West.

Interestingly, the South claims the most restaurants on this list of the 50 best, earning 17 spots. Northeast & Mid-Atlantic restaurants grab 15 spots, the West takes 12, and the Midwest claims just six.

When it comes to the South, Texas performs the best in terms of number of restaurants on the list. There are two in Austin, and one each in Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio.

However, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana also do well for the South, earning three spots each in the following cities:

  • Miami (2) and North Miami (1)
  • Atlanta (2) and Savannah (1)
  • New Orleans (3)

Unsurprisingly, New York leads the way for the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic region. Drilling down, Brooklyn boasts four of Bon Appétit‘s 50 Best New Restaurants 2022; New York City is the home of three; and one is in Hudson.

Pennsylvania, however, claims three spots, all in Philadelphia.

Equally as foreseeable, California boasts the most restaurants among this list of fifty. Predictably, most are in Los Angeles, which claims three in total. Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco round out California’s spots with one each. Coming in second in terms of Western states with multiple restaurants on the list is Oregon, with two in Portland.

Unfortunately, the Midwest simply doesn’t perform nearly as well on this year’s list as its counterparts. In fact, it has just half the number of restaurants as the third-place region with six. Cincinnati, Ohio, takes a third of those spots. Surprisingly, Chicago is home to just one restaurant on this list.

The 50 Best New Restaurants

Below you’ll find Bon Appétit‘s list in alphabetical order.

  • Agi’s Counter (Brooklyn, NY)
  • Baba’s Pantry (Kansas City, MO)
  • Bacanora (Phoenix, AZ)
  • Bata (Tucson, AZ)
  • Birdie’s (Austin, TX)
  • Bocadillo Market (Chicago, IL)
  • Bonnie’s (Brooklyn, NY)
  • Cafe Mochiko (Cincinnati, OH)
  • Cafe Mutton (Hudson, NY)
  • Canje (Austin, TX)
  • Common Thread (Savannah, GA)
  • Daru (Washington, DC)
  • Daytrip (Oakland, CA)
  • Dear Annie (Cambridge, MA)
  • Dept. of Culture (Brooklyn, NY)
  • El Rincon del Maiz (Garland, TX)
  • Gage & Tollner (Brooklyn, NY)
  • Good Good Culture Club (San Francisco, CA)
  • Her Place (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Irwin’s (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Juniper Cafe (Atlanta, GA)
  • Kingfisher (San Diego, CA)
  • Korshak Bagels (Philadelphia, PA)
  • La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal (Denver, CO)
  • La Onda (Forth Worth, TX)
  • Lasita (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Lengua Madre (New Orleans, LA)
  • Los Félix (Miami, FL)
  • Lucian Books and Wine (Atlanta, GA)
  • Ma Der Lao Kitchen (Oklahoma City, OK)
  • March (Houston, TX)
  • Mid-City Restaurant (Cincinnati, OH)
  • Mister Mao (New Orleans, LA)
  • Morchella (Portland, OR)
  • The Nicolett (Lubbock, TX)
  • One White Street (New York, NY)
  • Paradis Books & Bread (North Miami, FL)
  • Phởcific Standard Time (Seattle, WA)
  • Quarter Sheets (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Reese Bros Barbecue (San Antonio, TX)
  • Regards (Portland, ME)
  • República (Portland, OR)
  • Seafood Sally’s (New Orleans, LA)
  • Semma (New York, NY)
  • Sozai (Clawson, MI)
  • Sunny’s Steakhouse (Miami, FL)
  • Supperland (Charlotte, NC)
  • Uncle Lou, New York, NY)
  • Yangban Society (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Z&Z Manoushe Bakery (Rockville, MD)

Image: Kiyoshi on Unsplash

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