Seasonal shifts in hospitality bring both opportunities and operational pressures. Q3 often serves as a transition point. Hotel performance starts to cool after the summer rush, just as demand in university towns picks up with move-ins and fall events. At restaurants and event venues, preparations for the holiday season begin, making it an important moment to assess linen inventories and plan ahead for increased turnover. Proper linen care also becomes essential as higher volumes of dining and events put added strain on front-of-house and banquet operations. Looking further ahead, budget planning for 2026 is underway, creating the chance to connect current performance trends with long-term sourcing strategies and inventory systems. This edition of The Cut explores how hospitality professionals can align day-to-day readiness with forward-looking planning to ensure smooth operations and a strong close to the year.

Hotel performance across the United States tends to follow a seasonal pattern, with demand slowing after the peak summer months. In Q3 2024, U.S. hotels saw occupancy hover around 63.6%, with RevPAR slipping 0.2% year-over-year and ADR edging up 3%. In contrast, university towns experienced significantly stronger demand during college move-in season, as lodging in these areas remains more stable and spikes sharply during campus events such as orientation and Fall events.

For example, the University of Arkansas generated so much visitor traffic during move-in that hotel development has struggled to keep pace with demand. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, home football games generated approximately $226.7 million in direct visitor spending, supported more than 100,000 hotel room nights, and contributed $12.9 million in tax revenue, with occupancy rising about 7.5% on game weekends. In Columbus, Ohio, demand for Ohio State home games is so high that the on-campus Blackwell Inn operates a reservation lottery to manage limited availability.

The strength of move-in and event-driven lodging demand has even influenced long-term industry strategy, with Hilton acquiring Graduate Hotels, a chain specializing in college towns, in a $210 million deal to capitalize on this steady flow of guests.

The momentum from late summer into early fall compresses ordering windows and strains laundry capacity, making it essential for operational teams to secure the right mix of linens before holiday reservations accelerate.

With holiday events quickly approaching, Q3 is the ideal time to assess and replenish your table linen stock. Planning ahead ensures you are prepared before seasonal rushes impact availability and logistics. During the winter season, restaurants and event venues often experience increased table turnover for seasonal celebrations, corporate functions, and holiday gatherings. Acting now to review inventory and complete any necessary orders will ensure your teams are equipped to deliver consistently during the busy holiday season.

Source linens rooted in French textile tradition that combine heritage craftsmanship with modern durability and design versatility. As you prepare your dining spaces for the upcoming holiday season, our collections offer an elevated foundation for every festive gathering.

Elegant cottonrich and cotton table linens are available on hand for partners and are suited to restaurant, banquet, and event use.

Woven in France’s Vosges region, our custom Bistro napkins and French Collection table linens are offered in a wide range of patterns, textures, and colors, giving partners the flexibility to design linens that best reflect their brand.

After inventory is secured, attention to care is what preserves both fabric performance and presentation throughout the holiday season. These guidelines help teams keep table linens prepared for daily service.

• Keep linens off the floor. Floor stains are difficult to remove.
• Follow specific guidelines by fabric type. For table linens, pay close attention to wash temperature, tumble settings, and heat recommendations for ironing and pressing.

• Wash intense and dark colors such as red and black separately the first few times.
• Do not mix cotton-rich and 100 percent cotton linens to avoid fabric damage.
• Shake out linens before laundering.
• Use high-quality detergent. For colors, choose OBA brightener-free formulas that swell cotton fibers and release dirt. For best results, use detergent containing sodium percarbonate, also known as oxygen bleach.
• Use hot water to remove oil and grease stains.
• Do not use chlorine bleach.
• Avoid overloading machines. Overloading is a common cause of damage.

• Iron while linens are still damp.
• For ironers, use a speed of 20 meters per minute, or 66 feet per minute.
• Feed fabric into the iron along the warp, the vertically woven yarns, to prevent stretching.
• Iron embroidered items with the logo facing down to protect it and prevent scorching.
• Check treated stains before ironing. Heat will set remaining stains.
• Ensure linens remain slightly damp before ironing.
• Press at 15 to 18 bars with intermittency or use a centrifugal machine.

By following these steps, properties can extend linen lifespan, preserve color vibrancy, and maintain a polished presentation that supports the guest experience.

As 2026 budget planning begins, hospitality leaders are carefully evaluating how evolving market conditions, including new tariff considerations, will shape linen sourcing, pricing, and operational priorities. Garnier Thiebaut USA works closely with hotels, resorts, and restaurants to forecast linen requirements based on occupancy projections and replacement schedules, helping properties allocate resources effectively while managing cost pressures.

To enhance operational efficiency and protect valuable assets during peak demand, GT USA offers RFID-enabled linens. This technology provides real-time visibility into inventory, reduces loss, and enables teams to optimize stocking and planning. By leveraging RFID, properties gain actionable insights that support smarter decision-making, streamline operations, and maintain consistently high standards of service; all while mitigating risks associated with inventory management and cost fluctuations.

While tariff-driven cost adjustments are an industry-wide reality, GT USA brings value beyond linens alone. Through proactive planning, expert guidance, and tailored support, we help partners anticipate needs, streamline processes, and make informed decisions that balance quality, efficiency, and cost. By combining our in-depth hospitality expertise with innovative tools and reliable service, we enable properties to maintain high standards and confidence, even amid changing market conditions.

Looking ahead, success in 2026 will rely on thoughtful planning, technology adoption, and trusted supplier relationships. GT USA remains committed to partnering with hospitality leaders, offering the insight, guidance, and solutions needed to stay resilient, prepared, and competitive.

Exceptional hospitality is defined by the details that guests remember. Consistent, well-maintained linens create a setting where guests feel valued, allowing teams to focus on delivering service that exceeds expectations. Garnier Thiebaut USA combines centuries of French textile heritage with a practical understanding of modern operations to help properties source with confidence, operate efficiently, and make a lasting impression year-round.