May 23, 2013
Industry News

It's that time of the year again: QSR is looking for the quick-service industry’s best franchise deals. Weighing investment figures, sales trends, and corporate support, among other things, we've produced one the industry's annual can't-miss franchise reports for the last four years.

Read Full Story // read more about: Finance, Franchising
Industry News

After 33 years in the barbecue business, Woody Mills and his partner, Yolanda Mills-Mawman, have discovered that the best way to keep their fans coming back for more is to throw in the occasional pleasant surprise. While the bulk of their business is founded on tried-and-true signature dishes and comfort food sides—many of which...

Industry News

Which Wich has come a long way in its short existence. Ten years after QSR put founder Jeff Sinelli on its cover and called him a “branding phenom”—before a single Which Wich had even opened—the sandwich chain is franchising internationally for the first time. The brand, with its “Superior...

Industry News

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken announced that CSE was its 2012 Supplier of the Year. CSE is a 33-year-old branded merchandise agency specializing in promotional products, uniforms, name badges, awards, large-format printing, and fulfillment. Every year at its annual convention, Popeyes Louisiana Chicken selects one supplier that...

Read Full Story // read more about: Popeyes, Operations
Industry News

During the first-ever Alabama Gulf Seafood Summit, more than 100 attendees representing all segments of the seafood chain gathered at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama, to explore how best to move the Gulf seafood industry forward for businesses in the state.

Read Full Story // read more about: Sustainability
Emerging Concepts

Rod Arreola, along with his brother Alan and cousin Eric Garma, grew up in Seattle, where teriyaki restaurants are commonplace. When they learned the rest of America didn’t have the same access to the Japanese flavors they loved, they decided to bring teriyaki to the masses, starting in Las Vegas.

Operations

Tony Holmes had a problem: The drive thru at his high-traffic Chick-fil-A restaurant in Apex, North Carolina, was too crowded. For nearly two years, he tried line busting with employees outside wearing headsets. Then he gave those employees handheld remote units to streamline ordering. Both methods helped alleviate the drive...

Industry News

From March 15 through May 31, Ben & Jerry's scoop shops are serving up the Liz Lemon Schmake, which consists of the new Greek Frozen Yogurt flavor, Liz Lemon, blended with Berry Berry and sorbet. In addition to the Schmake, Ben & Jerry's is offering the Liz Lemon Waffle Bowl Sundae. The item includes a freshly baked...

Corner Bakery's new menu items use fresh ingredients to offer premium quality.
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...

Operators must protect their quick serve business from credit card fraud.
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...

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

Superfoods like whole grains and oatmeal offer healthy menu alternative.
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...

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

McAlisters Deli franchisee says casual dining experience helps in quick service.
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....

Fast casual brands attract customers with alcoholic beverage programs
Buying into Booze

Fast-casual restaurants were once able to claim premium food, modern décor, and all-around upscale service as hallmarks of their category. But with more quick-service chains retooling in those areas to compete for post-recession consumers, fast casuals have been left to search for new ways to...

Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey is innovativing the POS space with Square.
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...

 
Industry News

Global restaurateur HMSHost is proud to announce the winners of the Fast & Fabulous Recipe Contest, a program that the company cosponsors with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Jessica Hargrove and Lauren Fury, students at the CIA, were recognized as the winners of the contest for their Toasted Flatbread Mac n’ Cheese and Chicken and Waffles recipes, respectively.

Industry News

It may have been Jean Lee’s father who first opened the popular Chinese Deli in Chinatown back in 1963, but it was Jean Lee’s menu of Asian specialties that eventually became the first “Chinese fast-food concept” in America.  

The model Lee created has evolved into what’s now an extensive line of authentic Dim Sum under the brand Golden Tiger. To promote the brand, the most advanced online site for Asian products in the country has just been launched.

Industry News

Burger King Corporation, a subsidiary of Burger King Worldwide, announced the appointment of Jerrell Moore as chief diversity officer.

In this role, Moore will be responsible for continuing to grow efforts in support of BKC’s four-pronged diversity and inclusion strategy focused on workforce, guests and community, franchisees, and supplier diversity.

Industry News

Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in handcrafted fresh-fruit arrangements, recently recognized exemplary members of the corporate team for their contributions to a banner 2012 that included the opening of the company’s 1,000th location.

Amy Wietmarschen, project manager in the operations department, received the highest honor, the Pineapple Super Star Award, in recognition of her commitment to the brand, franchisees, and customers. She also was presented with a new Toyota.

Industry News

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt, the modern company that uses the science of cryogenics to freeze ice cream instantly before customers’ eyes, will be featured on ABC's “Shark Tank”.

In this episode, Jerry and Naomi Hancock, the creators of Sub Zero, team up to impress the panel of judges as they pitch the unique concept. The episode of "Shark Tank" airs Friday, January 11, 2013, on the ABC Television Network.

Most locations will be hosting in-store viewing parties with free samples and nitrogen demonstrations.

Industry News

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. announced that Patricia Perry has joined the company as its new vice president of U.S. franchise development. In this role, Perry will coordinate completion of the company's domestic franchising plans and lead its domestic franchise recruiting efforts.  

Women in Foodservice

In the spirit of QSR’s Year of Women in Foodservice initiative, we’re dedicating a monthly section to recognizing the issues that affect women in foodservice and the contributions they make in our industry. If you know a woman with an inspiring story to share or an issue you think needs to be addressed, send your ideas to YearofWomen@qsrmagazine.com.

The number of U.S. households with kids under 18 is about 39 million—33 percent of the country—and moms run more than twice as many single-parent households as dads.

Industry News

A Maui Wowi Hawaiian franchisee in Wimberly, Texas, has recently put sustainability at the forefront of her daily operations. Through her composting program, nothing goes to waste, and the local community benefits with beautiful gardens to enjoy all year long.

"Whether it's at an event or our store location, we always save the used coffee grounds and banana peels so that people who would like to use them as compost can easily come by and pick them up," says franchisee DuAnne Redus.