May 16, 2012
Industry News

The Dairy Queen system is kicking off the summer season in June with the addition of cool treats and hot eats including the debut of the Sweet Apple BBQ GrillBurger, the new Turtle Brownie Blizzard Treat, and new flavors of the award winning Royal Shakes.

Industry News

Fast-casual chains strengthened their gains on the overall restaurant industry, with the top 150 fast-casual chains growing 8.4 percent to $21.5 billion in 2011, a faster rate than in 2010 (6.6 percent). In comparison, 2011 sales growth for the  Top 500 U.S. chains was 3.5 percent .

Industry News

Gold Star Chili of Cincinnati announces the launch of a new catering division, offering three ways to add local flavor to any kind of event. “In the past, Gold Star Chili has offered catering services upon request,” says Charlie Howard, Gold Star Chili’s vice president of marketing and brand development. “This...

Industry News

Mark Bucher, founder of BGR The Burger Joint, is fighting for asparagus’ permanent existence at BGR’s 19 locations. Starting May 15, he has one month to successfully leverage in-store marketing and a Twitter campaign (#savetheasparagus) to keep asparagus on the menu, or come June 16, it will be a casualty of the french fry...

Industry News

Millennials are unique. They communicate differently, are self-expressive, confident, liberal, upbeat, and open to change. But marketing to them can be a challenge. This group (ages 19-34) has a distinct perspective on dining occasions, placing more value on attributes like social responsibility, sustainability, local, and organic,...

Industry News

Looking for a fast-food fix that’s light on the wallet? Check out the new Value Menu items at Jack in the Box restaurants. Beginning today, Jack in the Box is offering four new products on its Value Menu, including chicken nuggets comprised of all white meat chicken. The new Value Menu items and prices, excluding tax, at...

Industry News

Miss out on all of the great content we were churning out at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago? Fret not; the below list will bring you up to speed on all of the great products, booths, and events that took the spotlight at the industry's biggest annual convention. Plus, don't miss the video recap from QSR...

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

The restaurant industry’s continued optimism for stronger business and economic growth helped propel an increase in both attendance and number of exhibitors at the annual National Restaurant Association Show this year. Although the event in Chicago took place two weeks earlier than usual—it’s typically held the third...

Groupon executives celebrate the company's IPO launch.
Will the Groupon Bubble Ever Pop?

With an innovative cooking method, market-specific menu options, and franchisee interest across the globe, better-burger chain Smashburger would seem to have it all. The five-year-old company has already grown to about 155 U.S. stores and more than $130 million in annual sales, with a few...

Sbarro's emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy early this year.
Bankruptcy Could Save Your Business

The term bankruptcy tends to elicit doom-and-gloom thoughts from business owners. But experts say bankruptcy doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, by filing for bankruptcy, operators can shed the weight of their debts and get back on the course toward success.

Quiznos new growth strategy includes a store redesign.
Saving Quiznos

For the first time in years, Quiznos franchisee Kevin Tackett and dozens of his fellow franchisees with the toasted-sub chain have reason to smile.

After three gloomy years of falling sales, shuttered stores, and mounting company debt, Quiznos finally appears positioned to reinvigorate...

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...

A Jersey Mike's franchisee hosts a community autism awareness booth.
Brands Get Behind Autism Awareness

For the month of April, fast-casual restaurant Carino’s website is blue instead of the normal yellow, and if visitors click on the “Why Blue?” tab in the upper right-hand corner, they’ll find out why: the company is helping raise awareness about autism.

That’...

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...

A Bright Idea

America is sweet on citrus—even the sour varieties.

Restaurant operators and chefs are increasingly using
oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus items to liven up their menus with a fresh taste.

If there’s one word that seems to sum up citrus’ taste...

Burger King debuted several menu innovations to compete with McDonald's.
Burger King Aims to Reclaim Throne

With Burger King’s announcement of a $750 million, one-year investment in everything from menu to marketing, the burger chain is making a significant push to leave its recent troubles behind.

Supporting the company’s new slogan, “Exciting things are happening at Burger...

Culver's uses its point of sale system to gather valuable customer feedback.
Market Research Tools Get Futuristic

In today’s social media–driven world, customers have come to expect to have their voices heard quickly. And many quick-service operators are taking advantage of this by breaking away from outdated market research tactics like focus groups and surveys and utilizing technology to...

Friendly customer service is a sure fire way to grow drive thru sales.
100 Ways to Improve Your Drive Thru

Customer Service

1 From the full order of food and beverages to the utensils, provide the customer with everything he needs the first time. Frustrations arise when something is forgotten.

2 Mistakes happen; it’s...

Fats and oils get a bad rap, but there are healthy ways to use them on your menu
Oil, Reconsidered

Of the long and ever-growing list of foods, food ingredients, and food additives you never thought would return to the marketplace or earn a second look from consumers—think: diet soft drinks sweetened with saccharine and unpasteurized dairy products—one item in particular seemed...

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...

 
Subscribe to A.M. Jolt!
Sign up for QSR magazine’s flagship e-letter to receive:
  • The latest industry headlines and in-depth features
  • Advance notice about special programs and reports
  • Highlights of the content posted on QSRmagazine.com