May 19, 2013
Industry News
The Story of the Sea

The fish used for McDonald’s Fish McBites and Filet-O-Fish sandwich is not local. Nor is the product used for Long John Silver’s Whitefish Fillet. Same goes for Wendy’s Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich, Jack in the Box’s Fish Sandwich, and Quiznos’ Lobster and Seafood Salad. Not local, that is, unless the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Jack in the Box, Long John Silver's, McDonald's, Quiznos, Marketing, Menu Development, Competition, Consumer Trends, Sustainability, Ingredients & Dayparts
Industry News
Church's Piles on the Sweet for Bigger, Better Biscuits

Church’s Chicken is introducing a bigger, better Honey-Butter Biscuit that will have the chain’s fans struggling to eat just one. “Our biscuits have amazing crave-ability with our fans. Aside from our original and spicy chicken, the biscuits rise to the top of our customers’ must-have menu items when they visit...

Read Full Story // read more about: Church's Chicken, Menu Development
Industry News
Industry Vet Joins Larkburger as Director of Operations

Larkburger, the fast-casual burger restaurant group headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, announced Jim Lyon as director of operations, the most recent addition to its executive leadership team. “With his experience in the fast-casual industry and history of developing brands, Jim brings valuable management qualities to...

Read Full Story // read more about: Larkburger, Burgers, Operations, Human Resources
Executive Insights
If At First You Don’t Succeed

Outside the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory in Waterbury, Vermont, past a white picket fence, sits a group of colorful tombstones shaded by large overhanging tree branches. “It swirled in our heads, it danced in our dreams, it proved not to be though, the best of ice creams,” the epitaph reads for Sugar Plum,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Ben & Jerry's, Little Greek, PizzaRev, Back of House, Back Office, Competition, In the Store
McDonald's Wraps Up New Menu Item

In this newscast: McDonald's unveils new chicken wrap, deals fail to drive restaurant visits, Burger King unveils spring menu, and more.

Industry News
DQ Hits the Magic Price Point with $5 Buck Lunch

Rising gas prices, increases in the federal payroll tax, and overall economic uncertainty have left consumers yearning for more value for their take-home dollar, particularly when eating out. According to an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive in March 2013 and commissioned by the Dairy Queen system, a Berkshire Hathaway...

Read Full Story // read more about: Dairy Queen, Desserts, Promotions
Industry News
KFC's Li'l New Menu Idea: Bucket Kids Meals

This March, KFC introduces a meal that is sized just for its Li’ttlest fans: KFC’s Li’l Bucket Kids Meals. Packaged in a kid-friendly version of KFC’s iconic bucket, the Li’l Bucket Kids Meals come complete with a Kentucky Grilled Chicken drumstick, green beans, a GoGo squeeZ applesauce on the go, and a...

Read Full Story // read more about: KFC, Menu Development, Consumer Trends, Menu Innovations, Promotions
Industry News
With Unprecedented Growth, WFF Launches New Campaign

The foodservice industry is expected to have its fourth straight year of growth, reaching sales in excess of $660 billion, according to the NRA Industry Forecast. The results of this growth are seen every day in headlines—the pressure for innovation, mergers and acquisitions, the struggle for talent recruitment and retention. These...

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Fatburger Offers Tangy Taste with Thousand Island Burger

Fatburger, the hub for 100 percent lean beef burgers, is now offering the Thousand Island Fatburger for a limited time, available until May 20.

The new burger takes taste buds on a flavorful journey to accompany a menu that boasts an array of burger and topping combinations.

The...

Read Full Story // read more about: Fatburger, Burgers, Menu Development
Franchisee Paul Hironimus grew Wienerschnitzel business over decades.
Franchising
Lessons in Longevity

Paul Hironimus turned 80 years old in January. Like so many other franchisees, Hironimus, a Long Beach City College graduate, began his professional career outside the quick-service industry, serving as a draftsman in Los Angeles.

Nine years after graduating, in the early ’60s,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Wienerschnitzel, Back of House, In the Store, Promotions
Industry News
Whataburger Condiments Hit the Shelf at Texas, Mexico H-E-Bs

At the Whataburger Family Convention, a biannual gathering of more than 2,000 Whataburger attendees, CEO Preston Atkinson announced Whataburger will launch into retail sales for the first time by bottling its popular line of condiments—Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup, and Original Mustard...

Read Full Story // read more about: Whataburger, Burgers, Menu Development
Industry News
Qdoba's Mango Salad LTO is Back

Qdoba Mexican Grill kicks off summer early with the return of its popular, limited-time Mango Salad. The Mango Salad will be available in all restaurants starting May 6, while supplies last.

Qdoba’s Mango Salad features mango salsa, which is packed with a combination of mangos,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Qdoba, Healthy Menus, Menu Innovations
Industry News
CIA President Increases Student Scholarships by $3.6M

Dr. Tim Ryan celebrated the college's accomplishments of the past year before more than 700 employees of the college's four campuses during The Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) annual State of the Institute address. Accomplishments included the graduation of 1,051 associate...

Read Full Story // read more about: Back of House, Finance, Kitchen
Industry News
Fatburger Signs on For 25 Units in India

Fatburger has officially announced its plans to enter the Indian market for the first time in the company’s 60-year history.

The fast-casual chain has agreed to a 25-unit deal with VAZZ Foods Private Limited, a food and beverage distributor, and owner Vikramjit Singh to deliver the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Fatburger, Burgers, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
New Taco John’s CEO Sets Sights on Growth

Mexican quick service restaurant chain Taco John’s International has selected Jeff Linville to be its new chief executive officer. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Taco John's, Back of House, Back Office, Growth, Expansion
Industry News
Freshens Gets Sweet and Savory With New Crepe Options

Freshens relies heavily on customer research to keep its product offerings relevant and on trend with its customers.  

The Atlanta-based company conducted a series of focus groups to gain insight into flavor profiles that its loyal customer base was seeking for new crepe menu...

Read Full Story // read more about: Freshens, Desserts, Healthy Menus, Menu Development
Operators must protect their quick serve business from credit card fraud.
Back of House
How to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Every merchant that accepts credit and debit cards is required to be compliant with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS), whose next set of standards will be released in October 2013. Yet despite these compliance requirements, the food and beverage industry had the...

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McAlisters Deli franchisee says casual dining experience helps in quick service.
Sandwiches
What You Can Learn from Casual Dining

David Blackburn has been in the foodservice business his entire adult life. Since 1979, the McAlister’s Deli franchisee has cataloged more than 25 years of experience in the casual-dining sector, spending 16 of those as regional vice president of operations at O’Charley’s....

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Burger King's new coffee beverages position the brand to compete with McDonalds.
Beverage
Coffee is King

Forget quick-serve mainstays like burgers and fries. These days, limited-service brands are looking to coffee to beef up business, and Burger King is the latest chain to get in on the action.

Burger King’s customers can now enjoy 10 new specialty drinks, including iced coffees in a...

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The Boston Fire Department was treated to free meals at Firehouse Subs.
Charitable Giving
Nurturing Boston

As soon as he learned about the April 15th Boston bombings, Dave Tucci, the New England area representative for Firehouse Subs’ DMA, called the Firehouse franchisee closest to the bombings.

Tucci was relieved to find out that all employees at Firehouse’s Copley Square location...

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Superfoods like whole grains and oatmeal offer healthy menu alternative.
Healthy Menus
The Other Side of Super

Superfoods have swept the culinary world into a frenzy, enticing consumers with a taste of the exotic and courting them with nutrition and functionality, to the point where restaurants across the country are trying to stake a claim in this fledgling movement.

Quick-service restaurants are...

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Tin Drum Asia Cafe used equity firm investment to stay debt free in growth.
Finance
Striking Gold

Steven Chan’s business was at a crossroads last year. His Atlanta-based fast casual Tin Drum AsiaCafé launched in 2000, sold its first franchise in 2001, and was growing slowly due to Chan’s determination to keep it debt-free. At the beginning of 2012, Tin Drum had 10 franchises in...

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Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey is innovativing the POS space with Square.
Point Of Sale
Can Square Change POS Forever?

Jack Dorsey, who cofounded Twitter and Square, was raised by parents in the quick-service industry. His father owned a pizza restaurant, and his mother ran a coffee shop.

It’s little surprise, then, that Dorsey’s latest initiative with Square is to broaden its use within quick...

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Corner Bakery's new menu items use fresh ingredients to offer premium quality.
Breakfast
The Corner of Innovation

In a push to distinguish itself from growing competition in the fast-casual bakery-café space, Corner Bakery Café is doubling down on menu innovation.

The 22-year-old, Dallas-based chain recently leveraged its high-quality kitchen equipment and capabilities, as well as more than 40 fresh...

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Industry News
Concessions Int'l Names New VP of Business Development

Atlanta-based Concessions International (CI), a leading foodservice concessionaire with operations in airports across the United States,announced the promotion of LeMonica Hakeem to vice president of business development.

Hakeem has worked in a variety of roles within CI and sister company HJ Russell & Company over the past 12 years, most recently as interim director of business development.

She was instrumental in CI being awarded its Atlanta airport contract and three additional locations in its Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth operations.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Women's Foodservice Forum Returns to White House

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) returns to the White House to honor extraordinary women veterans who are making a difference in communities across the country. The event is part of the White House Champions of Change, which brings individuals to the White House to share their ideas for winning the future. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Starbucks Recruits Sharon Rothstein as Global CMO

Starbucks Coffee Company announced it has appointed Sharon Rothstein as global chief marketing officer.

Rothstein was previously senior vice president of marketing at innovative specialty beauty retailer Sephora.

Read Full Story // read more about: Starbucks, Beverage, Marketing, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Cintas Partner Receives RFMA's Vendor of the Year Award

Cintas Corporation, a leader in fire-protection services, announced that Annaji Sailer, a Cintas employee-partner, has received the prestigious “Vendor of the Year” award from the Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA).

Sailer works for Dunnwell, a division of Cintas Fire Protection, and has been a RFMA member for nearly five years, dedicating herself to advancing the restaurant facility management profession and women within the industry.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice
Women in Foodservice
Tap Into the Network

More women enter the foodservice industry every year, and they’re being met with a growing wealth of experience and support from which they can draw. A number of networking and leadership development groups have taken on the task of providing stronger gender diversity at all levels of the industry, and are ensuring that more growth opportunities exist for women.

Read Full Story // read more about: Dairy Queen, Meatheads, Wendy's, Growth, Human Resources
Industry News
WFF Partners Up with People Report

 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Consumer Trends, Women in Foodservice, Technology
Industry News
Apply Now for Les Dames d'Escoffier Int'l Awards

The application period for the fifth-annual Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards is now open.

This year, six LDEI Legacy Awards will be given in three categories: Culinary, Wine, and Entrepreneurship.

Each Legacy Award offers a one-week workplace experience under the direction of highly successful, award-winning members of LDEI. The Legacy experience is a high-energy, labor-intensive, and career-expanding opportunity.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Women's Foodservice Forum Appoints New Board Members

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors: Karen Bowman of Deloitte, Twila Day of Sysco, and Jack Sinclair of Walmart.

WFF Board member Marie Perry, of Brinker International, has joined the board’s Executive Committee in the role of treasurer, replacing the retiring Julie Swan, formerly of Sysco.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice