Marcus Rivera

Marcus Rivera is a restaurant industry veteran with over 15 years of hands-on experience — from line cook to restaurant owner and multi-unit operator. He has opened 6 restaurants across the U.S. (Texas, Florida, and Colorado), managed teams of up to 80 staff, and consulted for over 40 restaurant businesses on everything from pre-opening planning to turnaround strategy. Marcus holds a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and a professional certification in Restaurant Operations from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. His work has been featured in Restaurant Business Online, QSR Magazine, and Modern Restaurant Management. Marcus founded RestaurantLaunchpad.io to share proven, real-world guidance for aspiring and existing restaurant owners — skipping the theory and focusing on what actually works in a real kitchen.

TouchBistro POS Review (2026): Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | April 29, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: TouchBistro is a solid iPad-based POS built specifically for full-service restaurants. Starting at $69/month, … Read more

Best POS Systems for Food Trucks (2026): Top Picks for Mobile Operations

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | April 29, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: The best POS system for most food trucks is Square for Restaurants — it … Read more

Lightspeed Restaurant POS Review 2026: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | April 28, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: Lightspeed Restaurant POS is a strong choice for full-service, multi-location, and fine dining restaurants … Read more

How to Open a Restaurant With No Experience (Yes, It’s Possible)

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | April 27, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: Yes, you can open a restaurant with zero industry experience — thousands of successful … Read more

Restaurant Profit Margins: What to Expect by Restaurant Type (2026)

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | April 28, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: Restaurant profit margins typically range from 3%–9% for full-service restaurants and 6%–12% for fast-casual … Read more

Restaurant LLC vs S-Corp: Which Business Structure Should You Choose?

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Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad.io is reader-supported. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. By Marcus Rivera | April 26, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: Most restaurant owners should start as an LLC for simplicity and liability protection, then elect S-Corp tax treatment … Read more

Best Commercial Ice Machines for Restaurants (2026): Top Picks by Category

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Professional commercial kitchen showing ice machine and refrigeration equipment area

Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad.io is reader-supported. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. By Marcus Rivera | April 26, 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: The best commercial ice machines for most restaurants are the Scotsman CU50GA (best overall cube ice), Hoshizaki KM-515MAH … Read more

Best Commercial Deep Fryers for Restaurants in 2026 (Buyer’s Guide)

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Professional commercial kitchen with deep fryer and cooking equipment stations

Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | Last Updated: April 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: The best commercial deep fryer for most restaurants is the Pitco Frialator SG14 at $1,200–$1,800. It holds 40 lbs … Read more

How Much Does a Food Truck Cost? (2026 Complete Breakdown)

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Food truck business serving customers at a mobile restaurant location

Disclosure: RestaurantLaunchpad is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our editorial policy. By Marcus Rivera | Last Updated: April 2026 | How We Evaluate Quick Answer: A new food truck costs $75,000–$175,000 fully equipped. A used food truck runs $20,000–$85,000 depending on age and condition. … Read more