Today’s linen suppliers continue to face a slow, steady decline in the use of reusable restaurant linens—from tablecloths to napkins, uniforms, rental mats and more. This negative outlook reflects cultural shifts toward causal dining, rising food prices and pressures on disposable incomes. In response, restaurateurs and club managers are cutting overhead costs wherever possible in an environment where fine dining is losing ground to “fast-casual” restaurants. 
 
The need for this sector to chart a course back to growth led to a no-holds barred discussion among 16 independent linen supply companies gathered in Boston to discuss market- and ...