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Brain Science of Emojis: Marketing Strategies and Brand Benefits
Discover the surprising brain science behind emojis and how restaurants can use them to boost guest engagement, emotional connection, and brand loyalty. Perfect for World Emoji Day or any day you want to serve smarter.
Jul 143 min read


Left on Read IRL? Why We Hate Being Ignored
Discover the neuroscience behind acknowledgment and why being ignored triggers stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. This blog explores how simple human cues—like eye contact and a friendly greeting—can boost trust, connection, and customer experience across every industry. Whether you're in leadership, customer service, or team management, acknowledgment is the underrated superpower your brain (and your people) need.
Jul 92 min read


Multisensory Dining Experiences: The Secret Science Behind Memorable Meals
Eating is one of the most multisensory parts of our day. But, did you know that the brain tastes the food long before it passes the lips?
Jun 54 min read


The Goodbye Kiss: How Restaurateurs Leave a Lasting Impression
The concept of "Now or Never" is a powerful motivator in the realm of consumer behavior. When something is limited, rare, or exclusive, our brains light up with desire. Behavioral scientists call it reactance theory: we don’t just want the thing—we want it more when we think it might disappear.
May 63 min read


Color Psychology in Hospitality
Vision is the strongest of our senses. Your brain processes visual information in milliseconds—long before you consciously decide what to order or how to rate the service.
And color is the first flavor your brain tastes.
May 14 min read


Emotional Contagion in Hospitality: How Nonverbal Communication Shapes Guest Experiences
Whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, or resort, the collective energy of the staff shapes the overall guest perception. Positive emotions are infectious, but so are negative ones.
Emotional contagion—the psychological phenomenon where people unconsciously "catch" the emotions of others—plays a profound role in hospitality.
Apr 213 min read


Embracing Imperfection: The Story of "Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart"
The human brain is wired for story. When you wrap your message in a compelling story—whether you’re serving dinner, teaching students, or giving a Monday morning sales pitch—it sticks. Stories spark sensory regions, emotional networks, even mirror neurons that make us feel as if we’re in the story.
Apr 143 min read


"Only a Few Left!” — 5 Smart Ways Hospitality Pros Use the Scarcity Effect to Drive Business
Scarcity is one of the most powerful motivators in consumer behavior. When something is limited, rare, or exclusive, our brains light up with desire. Behavioral scientists call it reactance theory : we don’t just want the thing—we want it more when we think it might disappear.
Apr 13 min read


7 Seconds to Wow: The Psychology of First Impressions in Hospitality
From lobby lighting to your team’s tone, learn what your guests are really judging—and how to win them over before they even sit down.
Apr 12 min read


Turning Special Occasions into Magical Memories
Restaurants that celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and life’s big milestones don’t just serve meals—they create unforgettable memories.
Mar 142 min read


The Science Behind Tipping: Understanding the Psychology of Gratuity
Tipping. It's the little social contract that lives at the end of every restaurant meal. But studies show, it's not just about the service. There are hidden psychological levers that subconsciously influence tipping behavior. Here are six science-backed insights that can help turn good service into generous gratuity.
Mar 13 min read


The Power of Psychological Anchors
Psychological anchors are powerful influences over our decisions and perceptions. They are everywhere and we rarely even notice them.
Mar 13 min read


Funny, Unexpected, and Just a Little Bit Wrong: What Benign Violation Theory Teaches Us About Bold Hospitality
Hospitality is typically about perfection. But there is a way to break the rules in the right way. Benign violation theory is a quirky, science-backed concept from humor psychology that shows how a dash of the unexpected can turn ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences.
Mar 13 min read


The Science of Hospitality: Danny Meyer’s Recipe for Success
At Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) restaurants, hospitality is not just a service—it’s a psychological experience.
Feb 244 min read


How Menu Fonts Secretly Shape What You Order (and Spend!)
Fonts are silent storytellers. They set the tone, evoke emotions, and communicate the restaurant’s personality before you even read a word.
Feb 223 min read


Turn Negative Reviews Into Loyal Guests
Negative restaurant reviews— a manager's nightmare, right? Not always. Savvy restaurateurs use psychology to create marketing opportunities.
Feb 203 min read


How One Restaurant Turned a Negative Review into a Viral Success Story
No restaurateur enjoys negative reviews. But one restaurant discovered the power of a thoughtful response.
Jan 202 min read


Sound Bites: How sound influences our perception of taste
Does what we hear change how we taste? Science says YES! Flavor perception is multi-sensory. Sound can enhance or diminish what we taste.
Dec 6, 20243 min read


The Deceptive Power of The Decoy Effect
The decoy effect is one of the best known biases violating rational thought. And it has a powerful impact on the decisions we make.
Dec 1, 20243 min read


The Power of Psychological Priming
Do you think retailers have the power to prime your brain? More likely than not, it happened the last time you went to the grocery store.
Oct 1, 20244 min read