According to U.S. Small Business Association, the failure rates for small businesses in 2014 were as high as 50% to 80% within the first 5 years of establishment. Failure rates were especially high among restaurant businesses. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies that small business owners needed to sustain their businesses beyond the first 5 years. Guided by entrepreneurship theory as the conceptual framework, a case study was conducted with semistructured interviews of 3 successful Thai restaurant owners in Salt Lake City, Utah. Member checking and methodological triangulation with field notes, interview data, company websites, customer comments, and government documents help ensure theoretical saturation and trustworthiness of interpretations. Using precoded themes for the data analysis, the 7 themes from this study were entrepreneur characteristics, education and management skills, marketing strategies and competitive advantages, social networks and human relationships, technology and innovation, government supports and social responsibility, and financial planning. Two key results indicated the strategies that were needed for small business owners were entrepreneur management skills and government support for small businesses. These findings may influence positive social change by improving small business owner efficiency and sustainability, increasing higher business income, providing a better quality of living for employees and the well-being of the community, and benefiting the U.S. economy.

The restaurant industry is a highly customer-driven field. Therefore, it is imperative that restaurateurs consider customer expectations with regard to restaurant menus. The purpose of this experimental study is to examine the effects of menu format (i.e., paper or digital) and amount of nutritional information (i.e., extensive, brief, or none) on customer perceptions of the effectiveness, perceived ease of use, and information quality of the menu. Furthermore, this research intends to test the effect of these three menu attributes on the outcomes of value and satisfaction in order to assess the competitive advantage of one format over the other. The Cognitive Appraisal and Information Processing Theories provide structure to the proposed conceptual framework and give credence to the findings. This study also fills gaps in the present research by not only ameliorating weaknesses of extant studies, but also by examining several different aspects of restaurant menus simultaneously within a single study.

[pt] Este estudo examinou três determinantes das dimensões da qualidade de serviço de refeição (ambiente físico, comida, e serviço) na imagem do restaurante, na satisfação do cliente e nas intenções comportamentais por meio de um questionário on-line auto-administrado coletado de clientes do Outback Steakhouse Brasil. A modelagem dos dados, realizada via equações estruturais, mostrou que a qualidade do ambiente físico, comida e serviço foram determinantes significativos da imagem do restaurante, e que a imagem do restaurante foi determinante significativo da satisfação do consumidor. Além disso, os resultados reforçam que a satisfação do consumidor afeta significativamente as intenções comportamentais. As descobertas podem fornecer aos administradores de restaurantes uma orientação de como melhorar a satisfação do cliente e o nível de intenção comportamental. / [en] This study examined three determinants of foodservice quality dimensions (physical environment, food, and service) on restaurant image, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions via a self-administered online questionnaire collected from customers of Outback Steakhouse Brazil. Structural equation modeling showed that the quality of the physical environment, food, and service were significant determinants of restaurant image, and that restaurant image was significant determinant of customer satisfaction. In addition, the results reinforced that customer satisfaction is a significant predictor of behavioral intentions. The findings may provide restaurateurs with a guideline for enhancing customer satisfaction and behavioral intention level.

Customer experience is a broad topic that can cover several different branches,fields and industries. Various researchers have done significant work into thetopic, yet it still has gaps of fragmentation and an overall understanding on howto manage it. This research focused on customer experience within the finedining industry with the purpose of identifying how fine dining restaurantstackle customer experience with the goal of creating satisfied customers. Inorder to answer the questions at hand, the research took the approach of a casestudy to better understand the Swedish customers at fine dining restaurantsdisregarding other countries or cultures. With the help of three main concepts,the Five Aspects of a Meal model, the service blueprints, and the fine diningclues and messages, the authors found out that several aspects such as tangibleand intangible factors such as food quality, atmosphere, and service quality, areat the core of creating a desirable customer experience. In terms of customersatisfaction, the guest feedback and other forms of criticism is critical for finedining restaurants due to the importance of listening to the customers which canresult in creating regular, or loyal, customers.

[pt] O objetivo principal desta dissertação é mostrar a Gastronomia Carioca no cenário das diversas gastronomias brasileiras. Isso não seria possível sem fazer uma viagem histórica e geográfica, apoiando-se em metodologias qualitativa e quantitativa, com base em entrevistas e estatísticas. O trabalho apoia-se também em estudos realizados por algumas instituições especializadas, bem como em depoimentos de cozinheiros e de jornalistas gastronômicos. Depois de pouco mais de 500 anos da chegada dos primeiros colonizadores, a mistura étnica e identidade cultural refletida através da comida faz do Brasil um país imensamente diverso. O sincretismo cultural derivado deste fenômeno é encontrado na mesa de cada casa, restaurante e botequim brasileiro. Tal processo atua também sobre a culinária carioca. / [en] The main objective of this dissertation is to show the carioca gastronomy among the scenario of the several Brazilian cuisines. This would not have been possible without a geographic and historical journey, supported by qualitative and quantitative methodologies based on interviews and published statistics. This work is also supported on chefs and food journalists testimonies. More than 500 years since the arrival of the first colonizers, an ethnic blend and the cultural identity displayed through gastronomy have made an immensely diverse country out of Brazil. The cultural syncretism derived from this phenomenon can be found on the table of every Brazilian home, restaurant and bar (botequim). This process also acts upon Carioca culinary. / [es] El objetivo principal de ésta disertación es mostrar la Gastronomía Carioca en el escenario de las diferentes gastronomías brasileñas. Esto no sería posible sin hacer un viaje histórico y geográfico apoyado por metodologías cualitativa y cuantitativa, basado en entrevistas y estadísticas. El trabajo se apoya también en estudios lanzados por algunas instituciones especializadas, así como en testimonios de cocineros y periodistas gastronómicos. Después de poco más de 500 años de la llegada de los primeros colonizadores, la mezcla étnica y la identidad cultural reflejada a través de la gastronomía hacen de Brasil un país inmensamente diverso. El sincretismo cultural derivado de éste fenómeno lo encontramos también en la mesa de cada hogar, restaurante y bar (Botequim) brasileño. Tal proceso actúa también sobre la culinaria Carioca.

This thesis analyzes the economic health of the dining establishments in Downtown San Diego, CA, specifically in the vicinity of Petco Park. Opened in 2004, Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres, a Major League Baseball franchise. In addition, it serves as a venue for outdoor concerts and shows. The venue is used for most of the year due to an expanded Major League Baseball schedule, especially compared to other professional sports. Much of the transformation of San Diego’s Downtown can be attributed to the late 1990’s East Village Revitalization Plan, which included municipal anchors like the San Diego Central Library, the San Diego Convention Center, and Petco Park. By looking at the restaurant industry as of 2019, this thesis strives to provide a better understanding of how an urban entertainment anchor provides grounds for mutually beneficial conditions to small businesses. Additionally, this thesis integrates the concept of economic health into the larger field of knowledge around urban professional sports stadia. Further, this thesis aims to burgeon a framework for taxonomic research of professional sports stadia.

The phenomenon of a single line An architect’s approach to the dissolution of Form and Meaning / Master of Architecture

Thèse ou mémoire avec insertion d'articles / L'atteinte d'un système alimentaire durable passe nécessairement par la réduction du gaspillage alimentaire (GA) dû aux impacts sociaux, environnementaux et économiques considérables associés à sa génération. Or, il y a un manque d'information sur les impacts résultant de l'implantation de stratégies de réduction du gaspillage alimentaire (SRGAs) sur l'éco-efficience des restaurants, ce qui freine les restaurateurs à les adopter. De plus, il s'avère essentiel d'identifier des SRGAs adaptées aux diverses catégories de restaurants afin que celles-ci soient réalistes et faciles à implanter. Ce projet de doctorat présente d'abord une étude de cas du GA généré dans un restaurant indépendant et contribue à démontrer la pertinence d'utiliser une méthodologie de quantification et de catégorisation approfondie des impacts économiques et environnementaux du GA. Les résultats indiquent que l'analyse du GA uniquement sur la base de sa quantification massique est insuffisante pour identifier les points chauds reliés au GA dans une perspective d'éco-efficience, et donc, pour prendre des décisions éclairées en vue de sa réduction. L'impact de diverses SRGAs sur l'éco-efficience a ensuite été modélisé, ce qui a permis d'identifier les SRGAs les plus et les moins éco-efficientes à implanter dans le restaurant indépendant à l'étude. L'analyse de ces SRGA a fait ressortir quatre facteurs clés à considérer pour discerner des SRGAs à fort impact sur l'éco-efficience. Finalement, des entrevues ont été effectuées avec 16 restaurateurs dans le but d'explorer les facteurs affectant l'implantation de SRGAs en restauration indépendante. Les résultats ont mis en lumière que ces facteurs varient en fonction du type de restaurant et de ses caractéristiques. Ainsi, des approches préventive et corrective ont été suggérées pour favoriser l'implantation de SRGAs en fonction du type de restaurant dans une vision de maximisation de son éco-efficience. Ces travaux de recherche ont permis d'explorer un sujet fort d'actualité et n'ayant été étudié qu'en surface jusqu'à maintenant. Les résultats obtenus permettront d'appuyer les restaurateurs désireux d'implanter des SRGAs dans leur établissement en les guidant dans la priorisation de celles-ci dans une perspective d'éco-efficience. Il en ressortira ainsi une durabilité accrue pour ce secteur. / Reducing food waste (FW) plays a major role in achieving a sustainable food system, due to the considerable social, environmental and economic impacts associated with its generation. However, there is a lack of information on the impacts resulting from the implementation of food waste reduction strategies (FWRSs) on the eco-efficiency of restaurants, which hinders restaurateurs from adopting them. In addition, it is essential to identify FWRSs adapted to the different restaurants types so that they are realistic and easy to implement. This doctoral project first presents a case study of the FW generated in an independent restaurant and contribute to demonstrate the relevance of using an in-depth methodology for the quantification and categorization of the economic and environmental impacts of FW. The results indicate that the analysis of FW solely on the basis of its mass quantification is insufficient to identify FW hotspots from an eco-efficiency perspective, and therefore, to make informed decisions for its reduction. Then, the impact of various FWRSs on eco-efficiency was then modeled, which made possible to identify the most and least eco-efficient FWRSs to be implemented in the independent restaurant under study. The analysis of these FWRSs revealed four key factors to consider in order to discern the FWRSs s with a strong impact on the eco-efficiency. Finally, interviews were conducted with 16 restaurateurs to explore the factors affecting implementation of FWRSs in independent restaurants. The results revealed that these factors vary according to the type of restaurant and its characteristics. Thus, both preventive and corrective approaches were suggested to promote the implementation of FWRSs according to the restaurant type in a vision of maximizing its eco-efficiency. This research has made it possible to explore a highly topical subject that had until now only been studied on the surface. The results will contribute to supporting restaurateurs wishing to implement FWRSs in their establishments, by guiding them in the priorization of these FWRSs from an eco-efficiency perspective. This will result in increased sustainability for this sector.

Full-service restaurants serve many different types of customers with preconceived ideas about what they want and expect to receive from the restaurant. During the dining experience, each customer experiences the service differently and subconsciously evaluates the experience differently. The purpose of this study is to determine the expectations and perceptions of customers regarding the dining experience dimensions at Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs). The dimensions relate to service quality, food quality and ambience quality expectations and perceptions of customers. Customer satisfaction was also analysed, as a satisfied customer will show return intentions and this customer will tell friends and family about this FSR. A self-administered survey of employees at a tertiary academic institution revealed that waiter professionalism, value for money and the atmosphere in the restaurant are the most important considerations when it comes to the expectations of the dining experience. The findings of this study presented a demographic profile (gender, age, home language, highest education qualification, LSM) and it was found that demographic category groups differ in the way that they perceive the dining experience. The study reveals that males tends to be less critical than women, LSM 9 respondents are less critical than LSM 10 respondents and respondents with an undergraduate degree or less are less critical than respondents with a post-graduate degree. Respondents were satisfied overall with their dining experiences. Recommendations include that management must focus on pricing strategies, waiter training and the flow of communication between the restaurant and the customer. The recommendations made in this study will assist management of FSRs to understand the significance of the dining experience dimensions and to implement the required levels of service, food and ambience quality. With this knowledge, the management of FSRs can be assured of a satisfied customer and a competitive offering. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Thesis (M. Tech. (Tourism and Hospitality management)) -- Central University, Free State, 2014 / The formal full-service restaurant industry in South Africa is undergoing a period of anaemic growth due to the after effects of the 2009 global economic recession. Since the recession, industry growth has been subdued as diners seek more for their money when spending at restaurants. Consequently, industry revenue declined 1.8% in 2013 as diners tightened their purse strings. It is for this reason that it was decided to investigate diners’ expectations and experiences in selected formal full-service restaurants in Port Elizabeth. A pilot study was conducted among five diners in two formal full-service restaurants in Port Elizabeth, and the empirical study was conducted in December 2011 and January 2012 among 400 diners of eight formal full-service restaurants in Port Elizabeth. The research findings revealed that respondents with a tertiary diploma recorded the highest expectation score (4.25) whilst those who spoke languages other than Afrikaans, English, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa recorded the lowest (3.69). Respondents in the age group 55 to 64 years recorded the highest experience score (4.53) whilst those who spoke IsiXhosa recorded the lowest (3.84). Altogether 44.5% of the respondents frequented restaurants at different intervals two to four times in the previous six months whilst 51.2% spent on average, R200 to R299 per person and 18.5% held occupations in business, commerce and finance. Respondents who spent more than R399 had the highest expectation score (4.53) whilst those who frequented restaurants at different intervals more than 10 times in the previous six months had the lowest (3.97). Respondents with an occupation in education reported the highest experience score (4.36) whilst those who frequented restaurants at different intervals of nil to one time in the previous six months reported the lowest (4.04). A total of 22% of the respondents patronised restaurants because of good service. Restaurant B obtained the highest expectation (4.39) and experience (4.51) scores whilst restaurant C recorded the lowest expectation (3.71) and experience (4.03) scores. All diners’ experiences were below expectations giving an overall gap of -0.47. The strongest correlation with diners’ expectations was level of service whilst the strongest correlation with diners’ experiences was food quality. The regression model showed that the level of service was rated as the most important variable for diners’ expectations whilst the quality of food was rated as the most important for diners’ experiences. However, recommendations were made to improve diners’ experiences in the selected formal full-service restaurants in Port Elizabeth. The results of this study would help restaurateurs to identify areas of improvement and increase customer satisfaction.