October 2026

Monthly News & Updates

Chairman's Message

Aloha HRA Members,

As we enter October, I want to take a moment to reflect upon our most recent 18th Annual Hall of Fame Gala.  

On September 28th, our restaurant community came together to celebrate an incredible group of individuals whose dedication, leadership, and contributions have helped shape Hawaii’s restaurant industry. It was an honor to be in the room with so many of our industry’s leaders, both past and present, and to recognize the people whose work has left a lasting impact on our community.

What stood out to me most throughout the evening was the sense of connection. We weren't simply celebrating individual accomplishments; we were celebrating the people, relationships, and shared experiences that make Hawaii’s restaurant industry so unique.



Every restaurant has a story, and behind those stories are people who took risks, built teams, mentored others, served their communities, and...

Hawaiʻi Restaurant Minimum Wage Impact Survey

As minimum wage increases continue to take effect across Hawaiʻi, HRA wants to hear directly from local businesses about how they're affecting your employees, your customers, and the decisions you make every day. Businesses in all industries are encouraged to participate, not just restaurants.

The survey has 14 questions, takes about five minutes, and the last two questions are optional. Your responses will help HRA share an accurate picture of what local businesses are facing. The survey closes Friday, November 6th, so please take a few minutes to share your experience.

Kona Low Business Recovery Grants for Maui County and Oʻahu

Small businesses in Maui County and on Oʻahu impacted by the March 2026 Kona Low storms can apply for recovery grants of up to $10,000 through two programs supported by the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Maui County's program, run by the Maui Economic Development Board, accepts applications through December 31, 2026. Oʻahu's program, distributed by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, is open through November 15, 2026. Both close early if funds run out.

For restaurants and food service businesses still covering storm-related costs, grants can go toward expenses such as repairs, equipment, inventory, and rent. Eligibility and allowable uses differ by program, so operators should review the details for their county and apply as soon as possible, especially on Oʻahu, where the deadline is a few weeks away.

Help Shape the 2027 What's Hot Trend Forecast

The National Restaurant Association is inviting operators to take part in its 2027 What's Hot survey, which informs one of the industry's most trusted culinary trend forecasts. The annual What's Hot report identifies the food, beverage, and menu trends expected to influence restaurant menus in the year ahead. The 2026 forecast pointed to growing demand for comfort foods, global flavors, wellness-focused offerings, protein-forward menu items, and value-driven dining experiences.

The survey takes about five minutes and helps ensure restaurant operators' perspectives are represented in the findings. It's a quick way for Hawaiʻi operators to make sure local insight is part of the trends the industry follows in 2027. Participants will also be entered for a chance to win complimentary registration to the National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 22–25, 2027, in Chicago.

Consumers Still Prioritize Restaurants, but Value Is Driving Decisions

The National Restaurant Association's latest economic commentary, based on its third-quarter Consumer Insights survey, finds that restaurants remain consumers' top discretionary spending priority even as affordability pressures build. In the third quarter, 53% of consumers dined at a restaurant in the previous week and 50% ordered takeout or delivery. At the same time, 39% said they spent less at restaurants than in the prior quarter, and 46% reported spending more at grocery stores.



Guests are also becoming more deliberate when they dine out. 40% are relying more on discounts and value promotions, up from 35% in the second quarter, while 36% have shifted toward less expensive restaurants and 34% are ordering fewer add-ons such as desserts and beverages. The Association notes that operators will need to balance value, hospitality, and efficiency as costs stay elevated and demand remains uneven.

Hawaii Restaurant Association in the News

• Pacific Business News — Former Tech Exec Pivots to Lead Hawaii Restaurant Association Amid Industry Crises



• KHON2 — Restaurants Closing and Adjusting Operations as Prices Continue to Rise

More Diners. More Foot Traffic. More Butts in Seats.

What if you could attract new diners AND earn radio and digital advertising for your restaurant — without ever cutting us a check? With the AlohaFridayDeals.com TRADE Program, you can!

TRADE restaurant gift cards for advertising with Mālama Media Group while introducing your business to new customers through AlohaFridayDeals.com. It's a smart way to drive foot traffic, fill seats, build repeat customers, and promote your restaurant — all while preserving your cash flow.

You provide the gift cards. We provide the advertising. You get more butts in seats.

Ready to put TRADE to work for your restaurant?

Email gina.crabtree@malamamediagroup.com to schedule an appointment today!

Rising Costs Are Reshaping How Restaurants Price and Plan

SilverChef's 2026 Hospitality Operator Report, covered by Modern Restaurant Management, surveyed 600 U.S. food service and hospitality operators on the financial pressures shaping their businesses. Over the past 12 months, 68% of operators raised menu prices, yet only 30% plan another increase, and 31% name declining consumer spending as a top threat for the coming year. Food and beverage costs were the most commonly cited increase at 66%, and 27% say they cannot afford to upgrade their equipment.



The report's advice is practical: reprice selectively by adjusting the few dishes with the most cost exposure, protect what guests notice most, such as portions, floor staffing, and signature dishes, and build flexibility into cash flow. Despite the pressures, 87% of operators say they are optimistic about the year ahead. It's a timely read for anyone reviewing menus heading into the holiday season.

What Guests Want from Your Restaurant's Digital Storefront

New research from Popmenu, reported by Restaurant Technology News, shows how much online tools shape where diners spend a tighter budget. Drawing on three nationwide surveys of 1,000 consumers each, the report found that 80% use Google or other search engines to find restaurants, 27% use AI tools such as ChatGPT, and 94% prefer ordering through a restaurant's own website over a third-party platform. Meanwhile, 60% say they are dining out less often than a year ago.

The findings point to specific areas to review. 54% of consumers are less likely to order if a restaurant's ordering system is hard to navigate, 51% are put off by difficult mobile ordering, and 80% are more likely to choose a menu that includes photos, videos, and reviews. Keeping menus, prices, and business details current across every digital channel is a practical place to start.

Online Reviews: Why Customer Trust Pays Off

New research from George Mason University, reported by Modern Restaurant Management, shows the lasting cost of gaming online reviews. Businesses that Yelp publicly flagged for buying reviews or offering perks in exchange for five-star ratings lost foot traffic and card spending compared with similar nearby businesses, and a year and a half later they still had not recovered. The impact was several times larger for businesses flagged in November and December, when diners rely most on reviews.



The researchers recommend building review practices around authentic guest experiences and each platform's rules, inviting honest feedback without suggesting a rating, and making sure employees and outside marketing agencies understand what is allowed. Yelp prohibits soliciting reviews altogether, and the Federal Trade Commission's review rule makes review management a compliance responsibility as well as a marketing one.