The Sarcasm Report v.145

Industry experts forecast 2012 trends

There’s no economic rebound to prosperity, but it will continue to be a better environment than it was in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The economic rebound to prosperity theory is an illusion? Shocking!

Restaurants will benefit from pent-up demand. Two out of five American adults said in a recent survey that they are not using restaurants as often as they would like.

Similarly, the ice water business will benefit from pent-up demand. Five out of five dwellers of hell said in a recent survey that they are not drinking ice water as often as they would like.

I tease. Let's try this again. How many Americans are using restaurants more than they would like? I don't mean to be alarmist, but it could be as many as three out of five. Holy @#$%!

Food costs will remain a huge challenge, with wholesale food price inflation running at 8 percent — the highest it’s been in three decades. Operators won’t be able to pass on high input costs on a one-to-one basis...

Never a better time to invest in restaurants or start your own!

“Miniaturization,” or the continued growth of small plates, snacks and downsized portion options, which have been driven by price sensitivity, consumer interest in sampling, grazing or sharing, and health concerns.

Less is more!