Geert Merckaert

Geert Merckaert is the Content and Research Director at Apicbase and the producer of The Food Service Growth Show. He specialises in operational excellence, sustainability, and digital transformation in the restaurant and catering industry. Geert has a diverse background in content marketing, writing, and research, with previous roles in corporate finance at Bank van Breda, food marketing at VLAM, and the trade association Bakkers Vlaanderen. He holds degrees in Communications and Journalism from Plantijnhogeschool, as well as Art History from the Kunsthistorisch Instituut. During his studies, Geert spent nine years working weekends as a restaurant chef. He is dedicated to helping foodservice companies achieve sustainable growth through engaging and insightful content.

74 Restaurant Industry Statistics for 2025

So, how did 2024 go for restaurants?  While the challenges of 2023—like inflation and its impact on costs and consumer…

3 weeks ago

Autumn Budget 2024: What UK Restaurant Chains Need to Know to Protect Their Margins

When the Autumn Budget landed, food and drink leaders warned ministers that the tax increase would cost the British Hospitality…

1 month ago

Top Strategies for Effective Restaurant Menu Management

Did you know a poorly managed menu could cost you thousands in wasted food and lost profits each month? The…

5 months ago

Streamline Scope 3 Carbon Emissions Reporting In Foodservice Operations and Stay Compliant With CSRD 

The new CSRD regulations require large food service companies to report on Scope 3 emissions, which can be difficult to…

6 months ago

Why Multi-Site Restaurants Need a Central Production Kitchen

Multi-unit restaurant operators continually work to reduce overhead costs, minimise food waste, and uphold brand consistency. To achieve those objectives,…

6 months ago

Secrets to Restaurant Success with Isak Fagerholm, COO at Friends & Brgrs, Finland

Ever wonder what it takes to scale a small family-owned restaurant into a fast-growing chain—without losing the heart and soul…

6 months ago

How to Calculate Food Cost Percentage (Formula & Tips)

Next to labour costs and rent, food costs are the highest expense for every restaurant. The average restaurant food cost…

6 months ago

Mastering Food and Beverage Management: Tips for Multi-Site Operations

For multi-site food and beverage businesses, maintaining operational excellence across all locations can be daunting. Consistency, cost control, and data-driven…

7 months ago

How the Right Restaurant Tech Stack Supports Scalability

Running a multi-unit restaurant business is a complex operational challenge. As the number of locations grows, maintaining high standards across…

8 months ago