2 Modern Challenges Facing the Fine Dining Industry — and How to Address Them Fine dining is at a crossroads due to pressing issues such as inflation and the pandemic. To keep the industry afloat, entrepreneurs must examine two modern challenges and find innovative solutions to address them.
By Danilo Diazgranados Edited by Chelsea Brown
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
If you thought the last three years were a whirlwind for restaurants, just wait. Two weeks into the new year, Noma head chef René Redzepi announced that his Michelin 3-star restaurant, and undeniably one of the best in the world, would close at the end of 2024.
The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the restaurant world and left many wondering what the ramifications would be.
So, what does it mean for the fine dining industry when one of its most influential, expensive restaurants closes up shop? Perhaps more importantly, what can those in the industry do to revamp and keep fine dining afloat?
Related: 6 Ways to Ensure that Your Restaurant Stays Relevant
1. Address pricey meals
These days, it's impossible to talk about any sector of the economy without acknowledging the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is especially true for the restaurant industry, which was heavily impacted by closings, labor and supply shortages — and now, sky-high food prices.
Many restaurants and restaurant-goers are still financially recovering from the last three years. This is one of the reasons Americans across income levels are eating out less than they used to. Coupled with inflation, many people might be wondering if meals priced at hundreds of dollars are sustainable or worth it. After all, it's not unusual for a fine dining guest to easily spend $500 on a single meal before they even add beverages.
Fine dining establishments are not immune from financial struggles as even wealthy customers reevaluate how they spend their money. Can top chefs and restaurants around the world continue to justify a $1,000 dinner for two?
To address the changing landscape, high-end restaurants should rethink how they serve their customers. This could include adjusting menu prices, venturing into new ways to make revenue without compromising their reputation or reworking their business model altogether.
2. Come to grips with labor issues
Of course, fine fare and ambiance make high-end eateries stand out, but everyone knows the people behind the entrees are the most important ingredient. Workers, from the head chef to the wait staff, can make or break an establishment.
Yet working in high-pressure fine dining establishments is notoriously grueling. Some ultra-high-end restaurant owners might even struggle to price meals that can pay their often large staff competitively.
There are also controversies surrounding the treatment of workers at high-end restaurants, such as the alleged mistreatment of foreign workers and the widespread use of unpaid labor like internships and stages. This, along with long hours and low pay, contributes to turnover within the industry.
In a world where the cost of living is high and workers are demanding better pay and treatment, it might be time for fine dining to reevaluate its labor practices. Clearly, these conditions are unsustainable, but some consumers might view them as unethical. With courses that cost so much, it could be hard for fine dining establishments to explain low wages to both workers and conscious customers. A new, and perhaps more ethical, way of approaching labor could not only ease the issue but also justify the high price of meals to customers.
Related: 3 Ways Inflation is Impacting the Food and Beverage Industry
Plotting a path forward
Admittedly, costs and labor were issues in the industry before the pandemic. However, the global catastrophe highlighted and exacerbated these, and ultra-high-end restaurants weren't spared. Because fine dining establishments often set the pace and bar for the culinary world, addressing these challenges could transform an industry that is still reeling.
Time will tell what the impact of closing one of the most influential restaurants can have on the industry, but it's not too early for entrepreneurs at any rung in the restaurant space to examine these challenges and find innovative solutions to address them. If not, the sustainability of these establishments could be in jeopardy. Until then, the world will wait to see what these luxe restaurants and brands serve up next.
