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Restaurants & Hospitality · Owner's guide

Restaurants in Minneapolis, MN: a founder's guide to running & growing your business

ITEX brings your restaurant new customers from a local trade network and lets you cover real expenses without spending cash — growth in the busy months, a cushion in the slow ones. This guide covers running and growing a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN; ITEX is one option woven inside it.

Local market

The Minneapolis, MN market for restaurants

Minneapolis-St. Paul is a large, established restaurant market. Statewide, Minnesota's restaurant and foodservice industry supports roughly 276,800 jobs across about 11,233 eating-and-drinking establishments 1, with the sector heavily concentrated in the Twin Cities metro, where accommodation and food services accounted for about 141,100 covered jobs 2. Population is shifting outward: from 2020 to 2024 Minneapolis grew about 0.1% and St. Paul declined 1.5%, while exurbs such as Rosemount and Otsego grew more than 20% 3. The metro lost roughly 70,107 residents to domestic migration but gained about 57,000 international immigrants 4, and by 2023 held over 380,500 foreign-born residents, around 12.1% of population 4. Minnesota DEED and the City of Minneapolis run small-business financing programs; confirm current eligibility and terms directly 5.

Resources

Is the Minneapolis area a growing market for restaurants?
The Twin Cities metro remains a large, established market, but growth is uneven. From 2020 to 2024 the core cities were roughly flat—Minneapolis up about 0.1% and St. Paul down about 1.5%—while suburbs and exurbs grew quickly, and international migration continued to add residents. Restaurant demand tends to track where population is shifting, so location choice matters.
Are there small-business incentives for restaurants in Minneapolis?
Yes. Minnesota DEED runs statewide business financing programs and the City of Minneapolis offers local business development loan programs. Eligibility, dollar amounts, and terms change over time, so confirm current details directly with DEED and the City of Minneapolis before you plan around them.

Ask Boone about the Minneapolis, MN market

Taxes

Taxes for a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and depend on your situation — verify current requirements with the linked authorities and a licensed professional.

Minneapolis restaurant owners face taxes at three levels. The Minnesota Department of Revenue taxes most prepared food and drink sold by restaurants, bars, food trucks, and caterers 6, and a business must obtain a Minnesota Tax ID and register a Sales and Use Tax account before making taxable sales 7. Alcoholic beverages sold under an intoxicating liquor license carry an additional state liquor tax 8. On top of the state rate, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis impose local sales and use taxes the state administers 9, with the county's tax established by Hennepin County ordinance 10. Minneapolis also levies special downtown restaurant and liquor taxes on qualifying establishments 11. Confirm current obligations directly with the Department of Revenue and Hennepin County; rules change.

Official resources

Which tax authorities does a Minneapolis restaurant deal with?
Typically three: the Minnesota Department of Revenue (state sales/use tax, liquor tax, and administration of local sales taxes and Minneapolis special downtown restaurant/liquor taxes), Hennepin County (its local sales and use tax), and the City of Minneapolis (its local sales tax and business licensing). Confirm current requirements with each office.
Do I need to register before collecting sales tax?
Yes. Minnesota requires a Minnesota Tax ID Number and a registered Sales and Use Tax account with the Department of Revenue before you make taxable sales. Check the Department of Revenue for the current registration process.

Getting started

How to start a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and depend on your situation — verify current requirements with the linked authorities and a licensed professional.

Opening a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN generally starts with your legal entity: almost all businesses must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and an LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization 12, followed by an annual renewal filed each year 13. Restaurants inside the city are licensed by the City of Minneapolis, whose food license covers on-site dining, carryout, and delivery 14. Some Hennepin County cities run their own food programs 15, while Hennepin County Environmental Health licenses establishments elsewhere and reviews facility plans before construction or remodeling 16. For free, confidential guidance, the Minnesota SBDC network—including the University of St. Thomas center serving the metro—advises startups 17, and MN DEED's Guide to Starting a Business is a core reference 18. Confirm current requirements, fees, and timelines directly with each office.

Official resources

Does a Minneapolis restaurant get its food license from the city or Hennepin County?
Minneapolis is one of the cities that runs its own food program, so restaurants inside the city are licensed by the City of Minneapolis rather than Hennepin County. Cities that don't run their own program are handled by Hennepin County Environmental Health. Confirm which applies to your address with the City's licensing office.
What's the first step to legally start a restaurant business in Minnesota?
Most owners begin by forming a legal entity—commonly an LLC—by registering with the Minnesota Secretary of State, then apply for the required city food license and complete plan review before opening.

Marketing

Marketing a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Marketing a Minneapolis restaurant starts with a free, claimed Google Business Profile, which lets you appear in Google Search and Maps and manage your menu, hours, photos, and reviews 19. Local food coverage matters here: Mpls.St.Paul Magazine reports openings and reviews and publishes an annual best-restaurants list for the Twin Cities 20, and its metro Restaurant Week draws 70-plus restaurants offering multi-course prix-fixe menus, a visibility opportunity for participants 21. Meet Minneapolis, the city's official destination marketing organization, lists partner restaurants in its dining directory 22. Ground channel choices in how diners behave: the National Restaurant Association's 2025 report finds roughly nine in ten consumers cite socializing as a top reason they enjoy dining out, and a majority consider takeout essential 23.

Resources

What's the first, free marketing step for a new Minneapolis restaurant?
Claim and fully complete a Google Business Profile so you surface in Google Search and Maps when people search nearby; add accurate hours, your menu, photos, and links for ordering or reservations, and respond to reviews.
Which local Minneapolis channels help a restaurant get discovered?
Pitch and monitor local food media such as Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, get listed in the Meet Minneapolis dining directory, and consider joining the metro Restaurant Week promotion to reach diners actively looking for new places.

Ask Boone about marketing a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Customer service

Customer service & reputation for restaurants in Minneapolis, MN

For Minneapolis restaurants, four platforms shape reputation: Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and OpenTable. On your Google Business Profile you can read and reply to customer reviews, which Google encourages to build trust 24. Yelp takes the opposite stance—it asks businesses not to solicit reviews, and its recommendation software may not display reviews that appear prompted, so let Yelp feedback come organically 25. OpenTable accepts reviews only from verified diners who booked and completed a reservation, tying ratings to real visits 26. On Tripadvisor, the Management Response tool lets owners reply to any review, but replies must draw on first-hand staff experience and cannot include a guest's personal details or promotions 27. Respond promptly and professionally to positive and negative reviews alike, since future guests read your replies.

Resources

Can I offer a discount or freebie for a Yelp review?
No. Yelp asks businesses not to solicit reviews at all, and reviews its software flags as prompted may not be recommended (shown) on your page. Focus on a great guest experience and let Yelp reviews come organically. You can still respond to the reviews you receive.
Should I respond to a negative Google review?
Yes. Reply promptly and calmly, acknowledge the specific issue, and offer to continue privately by phone or email. Never share the reviewer's personal information—your response is public, and prospective Minneapolis diners read how you handle criticism.

Ask Boone about customer service & reputation

Financing & cash flow

Financing & cash flow for a restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis restaurant owners have several capital and cash-flow options. The SBA Minnesota District Office in downtown Minneapolis serves the whole state and, by appointment, points owners to 7(a), 504, and microloan programs 2829, plus a downloadable Minnesota lender list for finding participating banks 30. The City of Minneapolis Two Percent Loan matches a private lender up to $75,000 at 2% fixed interest for building improvements or equipment, for businesses inside city limits 31. State DEED options include a Small Business Loan Participation Program that buys into CDFI and nonprofit loans 32 and a Loan Guarantee Program for enrolled lenders 5. Twin Cities CDFIs — NDC 33, MCCD, whose Homegrown fund backs local food businesses 34, and WomenVenture 35 — offer microloans and larger loans, some sharia-compliant. Use the Minneapolis Fed CDFI Finder to locate a lender 36.

Resources

Where can a Minneapolis restaurant get a small-business loan besides a big bank?
Start with the SBA Minnesota District Office in downtown Minneapolis and its Minnesota lender list, then look at Twin Cities CDFIs like NDC, MCCD, and WomenVenture, which make microloans and small-business loans and often pair them with free advising. The Minneapolis Fed CDFI Finder helps you locate a nearby community lender.
Does the City of Minneapolis help finance restaurant build-outs or equipment?
Yes. The City's Two Percent Loan program can match a private lender up to $75,000 at 2% fixed interest for building improvements and equipment, for businesses located within Minneapolis city limits. Confirm current terms and eligibility directly with the City's Small Business Financing office before applying.

Ask Boone about cash flow for a restaurant

Hiring & staff

Finding & keeping restaurant staff in Minneapolis, MN

General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and depend on your situation — verify current requirements with the linked authorities and a licensed professional.

In Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, food preparation and serving occupations make up about 8.2% of metro employment 37, one of the region's largest occupational groups, so restaurants compete for staff in a deep but tight labor pool. Federal BLS wage data report a mean hourly wage of $16.99 for these occupations 37, against an overall metro mean of $34.73 versus $32.66 nationally 37. For hiring, Minnesota employers can post openings on the state's CareerForce labor exchange, run by DEED, which distributes listings across multiple job sites 38. State rules on minimum wage, overtime, tips, and earned sick-and-safe-time apply to restaurants; consult the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for current requirements before setting pay or schedules.

Official resources

What do Minneapolis restaurants typically pay food-service staff?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) reports a mean hourly wage of $16.99 for food preparation and serving occupations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro; pay for specific roles varies by position and experience.
Where do I find labor-law requirements and hiring help?
For wage, overtime, tip, and earned sick-and-safe-time rules, consult the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (dli.mn.gov). To recruit, DEED's CareerForce lets employers post jobs on the state labor exchange and access hiring services.

Giving back

Giving back in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis restaurants have several established local nonprofits to support. Second Harvest Heartland, a Twin Cities food bank, provided over 143 million meals last year through 1,000+ partner programs 39. Its Kitchen Coalition—launched with Chowgirls Catering and Loaves & Fishes—distributes about 19,000 restaurant-prepared meals weekly via 90+ nonprofit partners 40. Open Arms of Minnesota delivers free medically tailored meals from Minneapolis and Saint Paul kitchens and hosts its Moveable Feast fundraiser with 40+ restaurant partners 41. Appetite for Change in North Minneapolis uses food for community change, distributing 3,000+ fresh meal boxes yearly 42. The Food Group in New Hope distributed 7.6 million+ meals in 2024 43. Restaurants can donate surplus food, cater or sponsor fundraisers, or host benefit nights; federal Good Samaritan protections may cover good-faith donations—confirm requirements with USDA 44.

Resources

How can a Minneapolis restaurant start giving back locally?
Common options include donating surplus food to a food shelf or to Second Harvest Heartland's Kitchen Coalition, joining Open Arms of Minnesota's Moveable Feast, hosting a percentage-of-sales benefit night for a local nonprofit, or organizing staff volunteer days. Reach out to the organization directly to match your kitchen's capacity.
Is a restaurant liable if it donates leftover food?
The federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act provides liability protection for good-faith donations of wholesome food to nonprofit organizations, subject to conditions. Review the specific requirements with the USDA before setting up a donation program.

Ask Boone about giving back in Minneapolis, MN

Slow times

When things are slow: a cushion for your restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis restaurants face predictable slow stretches: deep-winter weeks and post-holiday months like January and February rank among the slowest of the year, driven by cold weather, post-holiday pullback, and Dry January 47. The pressure isn't only seasonal, a Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey found about half of Minnesota hospitality and tourism businesses had worse customer traffic in summer 2024 than a year earlier 46. ITEX, a cashless-trade marketplace operating since 1982, lets member restaurants fill otherwise-empty tables by accepting ITEX trade dollars, turning unreserved seats into new sales with new customers while conserving cash for payroll and suppliers 45. That incremental off-peak demand cushions revenue without discounting your regular cash guests 45.

Resources

How can ITEX help my Minneapolis restaurant through a slow winter or a downturn?
When cash-paying traffic thins out in January, February, or a soft stretch, ITEX brings in member diners who pay with ITEX trade dollars, filling tables you'd otherwise leave empty. Those trade dollars then buy things your restaurant needs, from printing to maintenance, so you conserve cash for rent and payroll. Contact your local Minneapolis ITEX office to see how it fits your slow periods.
Do I have to cut prices to fill slow shifts?
No. Instead of discounting to your regular cash customers, ITEX routes incremental demand from network members who pay in trade dollars, so you add off-peak covers without eroding your cash menu pricing. Ask the local ITEX office how restaurants set trade acceptance on slower days.

Ask Boone about slow periods

Scale & grow

Resources to scale & grow your restaurant in Minneapolis, MN

Try ITEX!

List your restaurant in Minneapolis, MN with ITEX — reach new customers through the local trade network and cover real expenses without spending cash. It can even fund the ideas below.

Join ITEX now

Minneapolis restaurants can build growth on a clear stack. Start by listing with ITEX, whose barter network routes member traffic to you and lists you in its directory, marketplace, and mobile app 48. Next, claim a free Google Business Profile to appear on Search and Maps with menu, photos, offers, online ordering, and reservations 49; add an Apple Maps place card through Apple Business Connect 50 and a free Bing Places listing 51. Claim your Yelp page, but note Yelp asks businesses not to solicit reviews 52. Layer geotargeted paid search, organic social, and email/SMS. Pursue coverage in the Star Tribune's Twin Cities restaurant roll call 53, join the Minneapolis Regional Chamber 54, and vend at events like the Aquatennial via Meet Minneapolis 55. Primary next step: list your restaurant with ITEX.

…and 10 other good ideas

What's the first growth step for a new Minneapolis restaurant?
List with ITEX to reach trade-paying members, then claim your free listings on Google Business Profile, Apple Maps (via Apple Business Connect), and Bing Places so you appear when locals search on any device.
Can I ask customers to leave reviews?
You can invite diners to review you on Google, but Yelp's guidelines specifically ask businesses not to solicit reviews, so keep Yelp requests passive (signage or a link) and confirm each platform's current policy before running any review campaign.

Ask Boone about scaling & growing a restaurant

ITEX in Minneapolis, MN

Restaurants & Hospitality in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area work with the local Minneapolis West ITEX office — a local broker who knows the market and handles your account directly.

(763) 546-4839· Local office page

About ITEX

ITEX is one of the longest-running barter communities in North America, with over 30 locations and thousands of member businesses across North America.

Trade dollars are the unit of exchange in the ITEX network: you earn them by selling your excess capacity to other members and spend them on real business expenses — at normal pricing, not a discount.

Join ITEX now

See if barter fits your restaurant. Get a quick, no-obligation assessment of your restaurant's unused capacity and potential trade value.

Join ITEX now Call (763) 546-4839 Ask Boone

Prefer to talk to someone? Minneapolis West

Ask Boone

Ask Boone, our AI assistant, for quick answers tailored to your business.

This AI provides general educational guidance. A trade broker will confirm all details.

Common questions about barter for restaurants in Minneapolis

What can a restaurant realistically pay for with trade dollars?
Restaurants most often use ITEX trade dollars for marketing and advertising, printed menus and signage, cleaning and equipment maintenance, accounting and other professional services, and staff incentives — the recurring cash expenses that don't disappear on a slow night. You earn the trade dollars by taking barter business during off-peak hours, then spend them on those costs.
Won't giving away off-peak tables just cannibalize full-price customers?
Not when it's structured. Barter fills capacity during genuinely slow periods — weekday lunches, early or late hours — that would otherwise sit empty, and everything is priced at your normal menu pricing. You set the timing and availability, so paid peak demand is protected.
Will bartering cheapen my brand?
No. With ITEX you sell into the network at your normal pricing — barter is not a discount. You control what you offer, when, and how much, so your published rates and brand positioning stay intact while you monetize capacity that would otherwise go unused.
Do I have to accept things I don't want in trade?
No. You decide how to spend the ITEX trade dollars you earn. The network spans thousands of member businesses across many categories — marketing, printing, maintenance, professional services and more — so you direct your trade dollars toward the real expenses you actually need to cover.
Is barter only for struggling businesses?
No. Healthy, established businesses use ITEX selectively to fill predictable slow periods and conserve cash on routine expenses. It is an efficiency tool for capacity you already have, not a last resort.
Will my regular customers know I barter?
No. ITEX barter transactions are business-to-business and typically invisible to the public. Your retail customers and your cash pricing are unaffected; trade happens within the member network.
How is barter taxed?
For tax purposes a barter sale is treated the same as a cash sale. ITEX provides the transaction records you need, and a trade broker will confirm the specifics for your business — Boone does not give tax advice.

References & sources

Citations for the local facts on this page. Regulated topics link to the official source of record.

  1. National Restaurant Association (Minnesota State Fact Sheet). “Restaurant industry in Minnesota — State Fact Sheet”. 2024. https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/industry-statistics/minnesota-state-fact-sheet/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  2. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “Accommodation & Food Services in 2020”. 2020. https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/metro/metro-blog.jsp?id=1045-479712. Accessed 2026-07-27.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau. “Population Gains in Metro Areas Driven Largely by Growth in the Exurbs”. 2020-2024 (published May 2026). https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2026/05/major-city-outer-edge-growth.html. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  4. Minnesota State Demographic Center (MN Dept. of Administration). “An Analysis of Migration Trends and Patterns in Minnesota”. 2020-2024 (April 2024 report). https://mn.gov/admin/assets/Migration%20Report_FINAL_tcm36-620018.pdf. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  5. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “DEED Business Financing Programs”. 2026. https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  6. Minnesota Department of Revenue. “Sales - Food (Industry Guide)”. 2026. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/sales-food. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  7. Minnesota Department of Revenue. “Minnesota Tax ID Requirements”. 2026. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/minnesota-tax-id-requirements. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  8. Minnesota Department of Revenue. “Sales - Beverages (Industry Guide)”. 2026. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/sales-liquor. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  9. Minnesota Department of Revenue. “Local Sales and Use Tax Guide”. 2026. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/local-sales-and-use-tax-guide. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  10. Hennepin County. “Local sales and use tax ordinance”. 2026. https://www.hennepincounty.gov/government/about/ordinances/special-taxes-ordinances/local-sales-use-tax. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  11. Minnesota Department of Revenue. “Minneapolis Special Local Taxes (Fact Sheet 164M)”. 2025-02. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2025-02/fs164m.pdf. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  12. Minnesota Secretary of State. “How to register your business”. Accessed 2026-07. https://www.sos.mn.gov/business-liens/start-a-business/how-to-register-your-business/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  13. Minnesota Secretary of State. “Minnesota Limited Liability Company Forms”. Accessed 2026-07. https://www.sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-forms-fees/minnesota-limited-liability-company-forms/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  14. City of Minneapolis. “Food & Restaurants — Business licenses”. Accessed 2026-07. https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/business-licenses/food-restaurants/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  15. Hennepin County. “Food, pools and lodging licenses”. Accessed 2026-07. https://www.hennepin.us/envhealth. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  16. Hennepin County. “Food, pools and lodging”. Accessed 2026-07. https://www.hennepin.us/foodlicense. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  17. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) / University of St. Thomas. “Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Overview”. Accessed 2026-07. https://mn.gov/deed/business/help/sbdc/overview/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  18. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)”. Accessed 2026-07. https://mn.gov/deed/business/help/sbdc/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  19. Google (Google Business Profile). “Restaurant Solutions: Menu & Presence - Google Business Profile”. 2026. https://business.google.com/us/business-profile/restaurants/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  20. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. “The 50 Best Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul”. 2026. https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/the-best-restaurants-in-the-twin-cities-2026/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  21. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. “Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Restaurant Week”. 2026. https://mspmag.com/restaurantweeklive/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  22. Meet Minneapolis. “Restaurants in Minneapolis | Meet Minneapolis”. 2026. https://www.minneapolis.org/food-drink/restaurants/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  23. National Restaurant Association. “Restaurant Industry Poised for Growth in 2025 (press release)”. 2025. https://www.restaurant.org/research-and-media/media/press-releases/restaurant-industry-poised-for-growth-in-2025-industry-expected-to-employ-15-9-million-people-and-r/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  24. Google Business Profile Help. “Manage customer reviews”. Accessed July 2026. https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474050?hl=en. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  25. Yelp. “Don't Ask for Reviews”. Accessed July 2026. https://www.yelp-support.com/article/Don-t-Ask-for-Reviews?l=en_US. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  26. OpenTable. “Ratings and Reviews”. Accessed July 2026. https://help.opentable.com/s/article/Ratings-and-Reviews-1505261056054?language=en_US. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  27. Tripadvisor. “Management Responses Posting Guidelines”. Accessed July 2026. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Trust-lpgT1CmsfQ3E-Management_response_guidelines.html. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  28. U.S. Small Business Administration. 2026. https://www.sba.gov/district/minnesota. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  29. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). 2026. https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/guidance/sba-financing.jsp. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  30. U.S. Small Business Administration. 2026. https://www.sba.gov/document/support-minnesota-lender-list. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  31. City of Minneapolis. 2026. https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/business-assistance/small-business-financing/two-percent/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  32. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). 2026. https://mn.gov/deed/loan-participation/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  33. Neighborhood Development Center. 2026. https://www.ndc-mn.org/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  34. Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). 2026. https://mccdmn.org/lending/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  35. WomenVenture. 2026. https://www.womenventure.org/services/lending/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  36. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. 2026. https://www.minneapolisfed.org/about-us/community-development-and-engagement/find-a-cdfi. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  37. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Midwest Information Office. “Occupational Employment and Wages in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington — May 2024”. May 2024. https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_minneapolis.htm. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  38. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) / CareerForce. “Post a Job on Minnesota's State Labor Exchange | CareerForce”. 2026. https://careerforce.mn.gov/post-a-job. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  39. Second Harvest Heartland. “About Us – Second Harvest Heartland”. 2025. https://www.2harvest.org/about-us. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  40. Second Harvest Heartland. “Kitchen Coalition”. 2025. https://www.2harvest.org/about-us/programs-services/kitchen-coalition. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  41. Open Arms of Minnesota. “Non-profit Food Distribution | Open Arms of Minnesota”. 2025. https://www.openarmsmn.org/about-us/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  42. Appetite for Change. “Appetite for Change”. 2025. https://www.afcmn.org/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  43. The Food Group. “Why We Exist – The Food Group”. 2024. https://www.thefoodgroupmn.org/about/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  44. U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Good Samaritan Act Provides Liability Protection For Food Donations”. 2024. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/good-samaritan-act-provides-liability-protection-food-donations. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  45. ITEX Corporation. “ITEX - Our Story”. 2026 (evergreen marketplace description). https://itex.com/AboutUs/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  46. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. “Fewer customers, less revenue for Minnesota hospitality and tourism sector”. Survey conducted late Aug-early Sep 2024. https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2024/fewer-customers-less-revenue-for-minnesota-hospitality-and-tourism-sector. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  47. US Foods CHEF'STORE. “5 Ways to Increase Restaurant Business During Slow Months”. Accessed 2026. https://www.chefstore.com/about/blog/5-ways-to-increase-restaurant-business-during-slow-months/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  48. ITEX. “ITEX - a small business community and barter network”. 2026. https://www.itex.com/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  49. Google. “Restaurant Solutions: Menu & Presence - Google Business Profile”. 2026. https://business.google.com/en-all/business-profile/restaurants/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  50. Apple. “Introducing Apple Business Connect”. 2023-01. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/01/introducing-apple-business-connect/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  51. Microsoft. “Add and manage your business listing”. 2026. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/bing/add-and-manage-your-business-listing. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  52. Yelp. “Reviews | Review Policies”. 2026. https://biz.yelp.com/support-center/Reviews/Review_Policies. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  53. Star Tribune. “Restaurant Roll Call: the latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities”. 2026. https://www.startribune.com/restaurant-roll-call-the-latest-closings-and-openings-in-the-twin-cities/510576451. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  54. Minneapolis Regional Chamber. “Minneapolis Regional Chamber”. 2026. https://mplschamber.com/. Accessed 2026-07-08.
  55. Meet Minneapolis. “Popular Festivals & Fairs to Check Out This Season | Meet Minneapolis”. 2026. https://www.minneapolis.org/calendar/festivals/. Accessed 2026-07-08.