Category Archives: Economics of Dining

The Curious Surge of Productivity in U.S. Restaurants

Posted on 2025/03/12 by .

We document that, after remaining almost constant for almost 30 years, real labor productivity at U.S. restaurants surged over 15% during the COVID pandemic. This surge has persisted even as many conditions have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Using mobile phone … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Delivery, Economics of Dining | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why do the servers always want to take our cutlery and plates and glasses away?

Posted on 2024/08/26 by .

I have noticed repeatedly, over the course of many restaurant visits, that my servers want to take away my plates, my glasses, my cutlery, and indeed almost anything else — before I really want to give it up. The ratio … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Why do the servers always want to take our cutlery and plates and glasses away?

“Around since xxxx”

Posted on 2023/12/24 by .

From a reader, Matt: Is “Since 19XX” a positive or negative signal for a restaurant? I passed a BBQ restaurant in Denver recently with such a sign. If it’s been around so long but is good, why haven’t I heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining | Tagged | 1 Comment

Amazon drivers’ urine packaged as energy drink, sold on Amazon

Posted on 2023/10/21 by .

The drink had all the hallmarks of a beverage sensation. Striking design, bold font, and the punchy name Release. But inside, each bottle was filled with urine allegedly discarded by Amazon delivery drivers and collected from plastic bottles by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delivery, Economics of Dining | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Agglomeration externalities from restaurants

Posted on 2023/06/17 by .

We estimate agglomeration externalities in Milan’s restaurant sector using the abolition of a unique regulation that restricted where restaurants could locate. In 2005, Milan abolished a minimum distance requirement that had kept the number of establishments artificially constant across neighborhoods. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining | Tagged , | Comments Off on Agglomeration externalities from restaurants

The decline of Michelin-starred restaurants

Posted on 2023/02/23 by .

That is the topic of my latest Bloomberg column, here is one bit: And then there is the spread of the Michelin brand. There are now Michelin guides for many US cities, which has caused the brand to lose some … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining, Fine Dining, General remarks, Overrated | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The decline of Michelin-starred restaurants

The economics of why Noma is closing

Posted on 2023/01/12 by .

Here is the take of yours truly: Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and a devoted restaurant-goer, says that people are misinterpreting Redzepi’s intentions with the closure. Cowen doesn’t think the chef is … Continue reading →

Posted in An Economist Gets Lunch, Chicken, Economics of Dining, Fine Dining | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The economics of why Noma is closing

The New Top Chef

Posted on 2021/10/07 by .

During the pandemic a pasta restaurant launched on UberEats in Paris. Cala quickly attracted a top 1% rating for it’s high quality to price ratio. Only now has it been revealed that the chef is a robot. “We wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining, France, Outside DC, Robots | Tagged , | Comments Off on The New Top Chef

“You have to order all at once”

Posted on 2021/03/14 by .

Boia De, web site, 5205 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33137 [Trip Advisor | 4 CBS | Ylp] Lung Yai Thai Tapas, web site 1, web site 2, 1731 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 [Trip Advisor | Ylp | … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics of Dining, Florida | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “You have to order all at once”

Delivery service price cap regulations

Posted on 2020/06/15 by .

Ben emails me: Could you please consider and comment on some of the unseen consequences of local price caps on restaurant delivery services? (Politico article describing the phenomenon in SF, NYC, etc.) A highly competitive market for such services exists … Continue reading →

Posted in Delivery, Economics of Dining, Technology | Tagged , | Comments Off on Delivery service price cap regulations