Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine turned to industry experts for their insights on how the industry is performing so far in 2026 and expectations for the remainder of the year. As restaurant operators continue balancing labor costs, rising guest expectations and tighter margins, I believe the next competitive advantage will come from helping every employee recognize, remember and build on prior guest interactions. Hospitality has always been about making people feel known. Technology should help make that possible at scale. For years, restaurant technology has focused on making transactions faster and more efficient by focusing on reservations, ordering, payments and loyalty. The next chapter ? It's about helping restaurants build lasting guest relationships. We call that shift Guest Experience Architecture (GeX): the evolution from connecting systems to creating continuity across the guest experience. The operators that stand out during the rest of the year won't necessarily be the ones with the most technology. I think they'll be the ones whose teams can recognize returning guests, remember what matters to them and make each visit feel connected to the last. In an environment where every repeat guest counts, continuity becomes a competitive advantage. Hospitality has always been about making people feel known. Technology should help make that possible at scale. — Uptown Network founder Nadine Locher Restaurants are experiencing both very retail strain and complexity, yet are remaining cautiously optimistic about where things are headed. Despite years of sustained pressure and incredibly narrow margins tied to a combination of cost volatility, shifting…
