The Best Restaurant Trade Magazines You Need to Read

While the kitchen might be responsible for upholding the culinary end of a restaurant's reputation, the front of house is where most guests form their first and lasting impression. It's no wonder, then, that many restaurateurs focus the majority of their attention (and budget) on making sure that their dining room is up to par. But what about those times when you need to step away from your restaurant and get some valuable perspective? That's where trade magazines come in.

Trade or ‘restaurant industry’ magazines are a great way to keep up with the latest industry trends, learn about best practices from other restaurateurs, and get new ideas for growing your business. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to know which ones are worth your time.

To help you out, we've put together a list of the best restaurant trade magazines that you need to be reading. Whether you're looking for information on the latest front-of-house restaurant trends or tips on how to run a more efficient kitchen, these publications have you covered.

What is a restaurant trade magazine?

Restaurant publications or ‘trade magazines’ are published works that cover the news and trends in the restaurant industry. These magazines typically feature articles on topics such as front-of-house design, menu development, and marketing strategies. Trade magazines are a great resource for restaurateurs who are looking to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and learn from the experiences of other successful operators.

Why should restaurant owners read trade magazines?

There are a number of reasons why restaurateurs should make reading trade magazines part of their regular routine. Restaurant magazines can help you:

Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends

Keeping your finger on the pulse of the latest industry trends is essential for any business, but it can be especially important in the restaurant industry. After all, diners' tastes and expectations are always changing, and you need to make sure that your restaurant is keeping up. 

Restaurant trade publications can help you stay well informed and ahead of the curve by offering valuable information about new technology trends and insights into the latest developments in restaurant design, menu establishment, and more.

Learn from the experiences of other restaurateurs

In addition to staying up-to-date on the latest trends, trade magazines can also help you learn from the successes (and failures) of other restaurateurs. These publications typically feature articles and interviews with some of the most successful operators in the industry, so you can get an inside look at what's working (and what's not) at other restaurants.

Get new ideas for growing your business

If you're looking for fresh ideas on how to grow your business, top restaurant magazines can be a great source of inspiration. These publications feature articles on a wide range of topics, from expanding your menu to increasing your marketing budget. No matter what your goals are, you're sure to find some helpful tips and ideas in the pages of a trade magazine.

What are the best restaurant trade magazines in Australia?

While there's a great number of restaurant trade magazines available, both in print and online, there are a select few that stand out from the rest. Here are five of our favourites:

Hospitality Magazine

The longest-standing and arguably the most comprehensive business-to-business title in Australia’s food service industry, Hospitality Magazine has been supporting restaurants since 1967, and it's clear to see why.

Hospitality Magazine brings you all the latest news from across every sector of this vibrant industry, including food, drinks and restaurant management. It also offers more in-depth insights into the latest industry trends, profiles of top chefs, recipes and advice on how to improve your hospitality business regarding both patronage and revenue.

QSR Magazine

QSR is a trade magazine that focuses on the quick-service and fast-casual segments of the restaurant industry. The publication covers topics such as speed of operations, menu innovation/marketing, and technology, while also offering helpful resources like an online directory of suppliers.

Australian Foodservice News

As the name suggests, this magazine covers all things food service-related across the entirety of Australia. Commissioned by the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia (R&CA), it’s an interesting and reliable way to keep up with industry news since it covers issues such as food safety, sustainability, and menu trends. This magazine is known for its ability to cover all bases, unsurprising since it also offers regular features on top chef interviews, technology in the kitchen, and front-of-house operations.

Catering Insight

Catering Insight is a specialist title that is part of the Foodservice Equipment Journal (FEJ) group, and it’s devoted to helping catering professionals save time, money, and energy while also boosting profits. It does this by offering business advice from some of the world’s most renowned chefs, thought-leaders, and caterers, as well as by providing an overview of the latest kitchen equipment on the market.

The magazine also strongly focuses on restaurant sustainability, which has become an increasingly important topic in the catering world. As such, Catering Insight is a great resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve on this important issue.

Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine

This publication covers everything related to restaurant equipment and supplies, from small wares to furniture. It’s a great resource for anyone in the industry looking to outfit their eatery and is devoted to helping professional kitchens save time and money while also improving their operations. Like Catering Insight, it also offers business advice from top chefs and caterers, as well as an overview of the latest kitchen equipment on the market.

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