February 4, 2012
Brands like KFC and McDonald's have successfully grown around the world.

Editor insights into the top quick-serve and fast-casual brands outside the U.S.

Special Report

Operators must know how to ensure the safety of their imported foods.

Web Exclusive

Quick serves attract customers with Valentine’s promotions.
Industry News

When Panera Bread’s 1,500 th store opens Tuesday, Feb. 6, it will be the company’s first location in Manhattan. The brand ranked No. 13 on the most recent QSR 50 list , and it already boasts 90 cafes in the tri-state area. Analysts praise it for not just sustaining, but accelerating the fast-casual dining segment, and even...

Read Full Story // read more about: Panera, Panera Bread
Industry News

Chipotle Mexican Grill executives sounded an optimistic note for the coming year during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call, despite an anticipated double-digit rise in costs for the company's naturally cultivated commodities . Montgomery Moran, co-CEO of Chipotle, said the company expects to open 155–165 new...

Read Full Story // read more about: Chipotle, Growth, Fast Casual
Industry News

London-based YO!Sushi signed its first U.S. franchisee in 2011 and the company is piggybacking on that success for 2012. YO!Sushi will open its first two American locations this year in Washington, D.C. with leases signed for at least one additional location. The company also plans to sign two to three franchise agreements for...

Industry News

Limited-service restaurant sales are expected to grow 3.1 percent to $174 billion in 2012, according to the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) annual Restaurant Industry Forecast. The NRA announced Forecast results in a webinar today. Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the NRA’s Research and Knowledge group, said...

Read Full Story // read more about: Growth
Industry News

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brings back Wicked Chicken with a twist this February with all new Garlic Pepper Wicked Chicken. For a limited time, consumers can experience the flavor spin of Garlic Pepper Wicked Chicken with Cajun fries, a buttermilk biscuit, Garlic Pepper Parmesan Dipping Sauce, and a mini bottle of Tabasco brand Pepper...

Industry News

Wendy's president and CEO Emil J. Brolick unveiled in the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call yesterday a new recipe to "take the brand where we need it to be,” and said reviving the iconic brand will require competing with upstart fast-casual brands. While Wendy’s North American company-operated same-store...

Read Full Story // read more about: Wendy's, Burgers, Fast Casual
Industry News

James Greco has been named president and CEO of Sbarro, effective immediately.  Greco was the former CEO of Bruegger’s Enterprises and is credited by industry experts with the strong performance and growth of the 28-year-old national bagel bakery chain.  Nicky McGrane, who has been serving as Sbarro’s interim...

Marc Halperin: Resident F&B Expert

What are you craving, exactly, when you yearn for a heaping mound of pad thai noodles, or a plate of kung pao chicken, or a bowl of miso soup? On one very obvious level, it’s undoubtedly the taste. In the former two examples, the blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors offers a pleasing complexity quite unlike anything native to...

Mike Lassiter plays an important role in Rising Roll Gourmet's CSR efforts.
Why Corporate Responsibility is Part of Your Job

In today’s business environment, corporate social responsibility (CSR) receives a lot of lip service from media and public relations. But experts say a CEO who steps up his company’s CSR efforts will find that his organization receives more than just media accolades.

A KFC marketing campaign had Colonel Sanders delivering food to window washers.
The 100 Biggest Stories of 2011

1. Roark Capital Buys Arby’s

With concerns about the economy running high, restaurant industry mergers and acquisitions dipped noticeably...

Umami Burger is known for its small burgers branded with the company's logo.
One to Watch: Umami Burger

Umami Burger has been causing a stir in Southern California since its inception in 2009 because its burgers are made from freshly ground beef, soft buns, and something extra: umami, or “the fifth taste.” In fact, just a little more than a year after the concept was launched, GQ named...

Brands like KFC and McDonald's have successfully grown around the world.
The Global 30

QSR has been reporting on the largest companies in the quick-service segment for nearly 15 years. For many of those years (now more than a decade), we’ve also delivered a top-level ranking called the QSR 50 each August.

Wendy's W burger helps the company bridge its value menu and premium items.
Wendy’s, Subway Slash Prices

On December 1, Subway rattled the quick-service world when it announced its latest promotional offer: $2 six-inch subs.

As a “Customer Appreciation Month” promotion, the $2 December-only deal may be Subway’s boldest play yet in the pricing wars to compete with other...

Papa Murphy's heart shaped pizza appeals to families looking for value.
Love is in the Air

While most people may associate Valentine’s Day with upscale restaurants and fine wines, dozens of quick-serve promotions, ranging from heart-shaped doughnuts to couples’ specials, are giving operators hope that they won’t be stood up this February 14.

By targeting...

Specialty beverages like energy drinks can help drive fast food sales.
Drive Incremental Sales with Drinks

McDonald’s signs boast about the incredible number of hamburgers—now many billions—it’s served over the years. But with the customer clamor for specialty beverages growing louder, the fast food icon may one day brag about the number of peppermint mochas sold.

When...

A wide variety of salts can help restaurants enhance their menu flavors.
Season Your Menu Like a Pro

Here are three options for making a standard turkey sandwich more exciting and memorable for your valued guests:

Steak ‘n Shake Hits Broadway

Steak ‘n Shake opened its first New York City restaurant on January 12, and the chain used the opportunity to debut its new Steak ‘n Shake Signature counter-service prototype.

The new design is a leaner outfit that does away with the all-night schedule, some menu items, and...

Google executives share five tips that will help every restaurant operator.
5 Restaurant Tips from Google

Facebook may be the online hub that dominates headlines and most of consumers’ personal time, but there’s no denying that Google remains the king of the Internet and the No. 1 website in the world.

So when Google speaks, people should listen—and speak Google did, to ...

 
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