We’d venture a guess that few people are reluctantly moving forward into 2021, clinging to the year that was because it was oh-so great. Instead, we’re feeling a sense of relief throughout the restaurant industry, as proprietors look for the best way to help their hungry and thirsty customers safely celebrate the holiday season.

It might be hard to believe, but there was a time in the NYC restaurant industry before COVID-19.

Does anyone else feel like March somehow turned into November without any warning?

The results of our Fall Restaurant Survey are in and from what we’ve gathered, NYC customers are not afraid to eat outside during a Big Apple winter.

We finally have answers from New York City officials about propane heaters!

When it was announced that New York eateries could fill their dining areas to 25% capacity, the mission for the restaurant industry became clear: Ensure customers feel as comfortable as possible eating indoors after quarantine guidelines kept everyone relegated to the outdoors during the summer months. 

Sam Tell isn't just the one-stop shop for all the foodservice supplies and equipment a restaurant needs. It's also your source for insights into the restaurant industry. 

Every month, we shine the spotlight on a handful of Sam Tell clients to celebrate their success and share what makes them special in our seasonal roundup. Take a look at this season's selections below: 

The past seven months have cooked up a healthy portion of change for everyone in the restaurant industry. In fact, the shift in what we all consider “normal” in foodservice is so great, we think it’s time to reassess what customers come to expect when they visit a restaurant.

For the restaurant industry, 2020 will forever be remembered as the year delivery became much more than a trend or a side option that some restaurants offered as means to reach whatever customers weren’t actually walking through the door.

This was a tough year for all of us in the foodservice industry, particularly in restaurants who’s bread and butter has always been sit-down service. The coronavirus pandemic slammed businesses across the country and restaurants in New York City and the greater metropolitan area have been among the hardest hit—enduring a sizable drop in revenue and, in some cases, permanent closure.