Food for thought: Restaurant industry leaders ponder their future

Ghost kitchens, automation and third-party delivery are among the many challenging developments restaurateurs are grappling with.

  • By Brian Hartz
  • | 6:00 a.m. March 13, 2020
  • | 0 Free Articles Remaining!
Mark Wemple. Jeff Gigante co-founded Ciccio Restaurant Group, which operates 13 restaurant concepts in the Tampa Bay region.
Mark Wemple. Jeff Gigante co-founded Ciccio Restaurant Group, which operates 13 restaurant concepts in the Tampa Bay region.
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For many restaurateurs, the business of serving food has always been a learn-as-you-go venture.

It can also be a quick path to a solid, middle-class income for people who choose not to pursue post-secondary education. That second way is how Jeff Gigante, one of the most successful restaurateurs in the region, launched his career. 

 

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