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September 5, 2025

23 posts
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  • 2 min

New on the Menu: Ceviche with sake lees and a Thai chicken sandwich

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor since 1999 at Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, also wrote for the New York Sun (2005–2008). His expertise includes food trends, French and Asian cuisines. Thorn's column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Educated at Tufts University and Le Cordon Bleu, he worked for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. He lives in Brooklyn, NY, and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.
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  • 2 min

Restaurants are a bright spot amid a slow jobs report

📈 The August 2025 jobs report showed a sharp hiring slowdown with only 22,000 jobs added, compared to 491,000 in the first four months of the year. Unemployment hit a 13-month high at 4.3%. Leisure and hospitality added 28,000 roles, while government employment fell by 16,000. Consumer sentiment dropped over 14% from last year, impacting spending. The restaurant industry faces pressures from reduced visits, especially by lower-income consumers, and rising labor costs, now at 36.5% of sales for full-service operators.
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  • 6 min

Travel Tech Essentialist #183: Barriers

📈 Travel industry updates: Since January 2021, Booking's value soared by 158%, reaching nearly $180 billion, while MakeMyTrip jumped 255% due to India's market growth. eDreams increased nearly twofold, and Expedia rose 63%. In contrast, Tripadvisor dropped 39% and Airbnb by 11%, yet Airbnb remains valued at $67 billion. Ground and sea transportation, worth $198 billion, is often overlooked despite its scale compared to cruises, car rentals, or home rentals. AI in travel: Expedia's AI enhancements boosted partner revenue by $6 billion, conversion by 1.3x, and flight price predictions by 15%.
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  • 1 min

Dean Group unifies portfolio ahead of international expansion

🏨 Co-founders Keith Evans and Kai Tan lead Dean Group's international expansion from Irish roots, with new openings in Munich, Berlin, and Miami planned for 2026. The Dean Dublin will relaunch mid-2026 with refreshed interiors and expanded premises. The Clarence in Dublin's Temple Bar is set for full renovation in 2027. The group unites The Dean Hotels brand with independent properties, expanding their global presence in Europe and the US.
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  • 1 min

PM Hotel Group appoints SVP development

🏨 PM Hotel Group appointed Evan Morick as senior vice president of development. With over 20 years in hotel development, acquisitions, and asset management, Morick recently advised Douglas Development Corporation. Previously, he spent more than a decade as senior VP at Procaccianti Companies and worked with Kokua Hospitality, Rim Hospitality, Hilton, and MeriStar. He will expand PM Hotel Group's portfolio through HMAs and strategic partnerships. Paul Sacco praised Morick's expertise and network.
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  • 5 min

How Hospitality AI Agents Are Redefining Guest Communication

💻 60% of hotel consumers return after personalized service, and 62% spend more on brands offering it. Staff shortages and rising labor costs challenge this. Traditional human-only service models lack scalability. Hospitality AI, involving AI Agents, Customer Data Platforms (CDP), and Customer Experience Platforms (CXP), offers solutions. AI Agents can resolve up to 80% of common guest queries, boosting efficiency and revenue. TrustYou’s AI Agents provide 100% coverage 24/7 across channels, enhancing guest engagement and loyalty.
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  • 17 min

Highs and Lows of Hospitality in 2025: What First-Time Innkeeper Brett McManus Learned About Guest Experience, Operations, and Tech [1-Year Check-In]

📋 Josiah visited Brett and Casey's renovated motel in Vermont, noting its transformation from a rundown state. Over the past year, thousands of guests have experienced their hospitality firsthand, with average nightly rates rising from $100–$150 to $200–$250. Despite seasonal challenges in Killington, Vermont, technology like Cloudbeds and Schlage Encode locks streamline operations. Brett and Casey also manage a 42-room inn, highlighting opportunities for boutique properties in New England. Their approach blends financial savvy with personal guest experiences.
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