New Jersey is the U.S. restaurant capital, with more than any other U.S. state. But even in New Jersey, traditional, chrome-wearing diners seem to disappear. Food costs, labor shortages and competition from sit-in chains such as Cracker Barrel and IHOP have made it difficult to engage in the business. However, the state’s busiest restaurant tops still serve 13,000 people per week. And the oldest Diner in the state, still rolling pancakes out of the small grill, Taylor Ham rolling from the small grill. So what’s wrong with restaurants across the United States? And, in the face of huge odds, how do top and summits keep diners’ big business alive?
