The Modern Waiter Podcast

7 Things Gen Z Refuses to Pay For

Is Gen Z really killing restaurants, bars, and club culture… or are they just changing the game? On this podcast episode, we break down the real-world impact Gen Z is having on the restaurant industry. From drinking less at dinner to ordering more takeout. Their impact even goes deeper, from ditching old-school condiments like ketchup and mayo to demanding Instagrammable dining experiences, the shift is real.#GenZ #RestaurantTrends #foodindustry Follow Me On Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themodernwaiterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Is Why Some Servers Don’t Want Black Tables

Why some servers do not want black tables. We talk openly about Dining While Black (DWB), how stereotypes are formed, how servers categorize guests of every background, and how poor service can become a self fulfilling prophecy. It is about honesty, lived experience, and the realities servers face on the floor every single shift. From tipping stereotypes and confirmation bias to energy, demeanor, and service expectationsThere’s a moment every waiter recognizes instantly. A Black table walks in the door, and suddenly servers start playing the quiet game of “not it.”After 30 years in the restaurant industry, I’m breaking down the stereotype that Black people don’t tip, where it comes from, and how confirmation bias and bad service help keep it alive.As a Black waiter, I’ve worked every type of restaurant and served every type of guest. I’ve seen how expectations change service, how service changes tips, and how the industry rarely questions the stories it tells itself.#RestaurantLife #ServerLife #HospitalityIndustry #TippingCultureFollow Me On Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themodernwaiterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gen Z Isn’t Drinking and Restaurants Are Cashing In

Gen Z is drinking less, but restaurants are not losing money. In fact, many are making more. In part two of our Restaurant Trends to Watch in 2026 series, we break down the sober-curious movement, the rise of low and no alcohol beverages, and why mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are becoming one of the most profitable menu categories in hospitality.Alcohol consumption in the U.S. is at its lowest level in decades, especially among younger guests. But smart restaurants are pivoting fast by creating intentional mocktail programs, premium non-alcoholic beer offerings, kombuchas, and botanical-forward drinks that feel just as elevated as cocktails.Follow Me On Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themodernwaiterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hidden Economics of All You Can Eat Buffets (Fixed)

Veteran restaurant servers reveal secrets of the buffet. All-you-can-eat buffets look like the worst business model ever. Fixed price. Unlimited food. One hungry customer could destroy profits in a single night.How do buffets actually survive? All-you-can-eat buffets almost always wins. We reveal psychological tricks and layout manipulation and the biological hacks.Follow Me On Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themodernwaiterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THESE are the Dumbest Complaints I've Ever Seen

Restaurant guests who don’t read the menu and blame the server are a common occurrence. As servers we absorb confusion over wine, cocktails, and food. In this episode of The Modern Waiter Podcast, we dive into the dumbest, funniest, and most unbelievable complaints we’ve ever heard as longtime servers. We discuss when it’s okay to ask questions vs. when you’re just being difficult. Humor, cringe, and real talk from the server’s side of the table.#Restaurant #ServerLife #serviceindustry Follow Me On Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themodernwaiterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.