May 25, 2013
Industry News
Quail Digital Upgrades Drive-Thru Headset System

Quail Digital, a wireless headset communication specialist, has extended the bandwidth on its Q Pro 5 drive-thru system. The system now operates on the new CATiQ dect 6 standard, which increases bandwidth from 8KHz to 16KHz. The development has improved audio quality between the wireless headsets, and between the headsets and the order...

Read Full Story // read more about: Drive Thru, Equipment
Industry News
Pizza Hut Takes on Interviewing, Twitter-Style

As social media has permanently changed companies’ communication and marketing practices, it has become increasingly important for brands to hire a social media guru who can manage multiple social media platforms in a professional, yet engaging way. And that’s exactly who Pizza Hut is seeking for its new social media...

Read Full Story // read more about: Pizza Hut, Pizza, Social Media, Human Resources
Industry News
Tropical Smoothie Has Food on the Brain

It’s one thing to revitalize a menu, upgrade unit décor, or take on a new marketing platform. But changing consumers’ perception of a brand entirely is a completely different story, and it’s one Tropical Smoothie Café is trying to tell. The 335-plus-unit chain used to be known as a real fruit smoothie–only...

Read Full Story // read more about: Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Beverage, Healthy Menus, Marketing, Menu Development, Sandwiches, Growth
Industry News
Uncle Ben's Introduces Original Converted Brand Rice

The Uncle Ben’s Brand introduces its improved Uncle Ben's Original Converted Brand Rice, delivering noticeably better taste, texture, and overall performance. As America’s number one brand, Uncle Ben's ensures the highest quality from start to finish. This includes the careful selection of its rice, using fewer than...

Read Full Story // read more about: Uncle Ben's, Menu Development, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations
Industry News
American Idol Hopeful Serves Up Cool Treats at Rita's

Rita’s Italian Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with over 625 outlets in 19 states, announces Lazaro Arbos, a Treat Team Member from Rita’s outlet in Naples, Florida, was chosen as a Top 20 finalist by American Idol 2013 (Season 12). Arbos earned a coveted spot on the popular singing competition’s Top...

Read Full Story // read more about: Rita's Italian Ice, Entertainment, Competition
Industry News
Shopping the Brand

Quick-service sushi concepts, from How Do You Roll? to Yo! Sushi, have taken off in the U.S., with Americans’ increasingly adventurous palates driving growth. And Genji Sushi, which first opened its doors in Philadelphia in 1997, is a quiet leader in the category, with 165 units. But Genji has a trick up its sleeve that’s...

Read Full Story // read more about: Genji Sushi, Operations, Growth
Industry News
US Foods Takes on Spring with New Product Line

US Foods introduced its new spring product line featuring regional favorites from across America. Taking diners on a culinary road trip across the country, the offerings include new burger items from famed New York butcher Pat LaFrieda; baked beans and bacon made with Kentucky bourbon; and a new twist on an American favorite, apple pie...

Read Full Story // read more about: Menu Development, Ingredients & Dayparts
Industry News
Corner Bakery Cafe Debuts New Turkey Monterey Panini

Just in time to help guests snap out of their long winter daze, Corner Bakery Cafe will debut the newest member of its signature grilled panini lineup, the Turkey Monterey Panini.

Read Full Story // read more about: Corner Bakery Cafe, Menu Development, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations
Industry News
Free Loaves for First 100 in New Boudin SF Location

Dave Wolfgram, CEO of Boudin Bakery, announced that Boudin SF will unveil its newest location in Encinitas on June 6. To welcome the local community, Boudin SF will reward the first 100 customers in line with a free loaf of its Original San Francisco Sourdough French Bread every day for one year...

Read Full Story // read more about: Boudin SF, Sandwiches, Promotions, Ingredients & Dayparts
Industry News
One in Four Adults Plans to Eat Out for Mother's Day

New research from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) shows that more than one-quarter of American adults will celebrate Mother’s Day by dining out, and nearly one in 10 will rely on restaurant takeout or delivery for their special Mother’s Day meal. Overall, the NRA projects...

Read Full Story // read more about: Consumer Trends, Outside Insights
Industry News
eThor Secures $1M in Financing from AVAC Ltd.

eThor, the point of sale (POS) integration platform, has announced a $1 million investment into the company by AVAC Ltd., a private Alberta Company that invests in promising tech companies.

Read Full Story // read more about: Point Of Sale, Technology
Industry News
Salsarita's Welcomes Cinco de Mayo with 5-Day Celebration

Learn “the Secrets of Cinco” with Salsarita’s. The Fresh Mexican Cantina is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a five-day celebration full of food and special offers from Thursday, May 2 through Monday, May 6, at participating locations.

Read Full Story // read more about: Salsarita's, Marketing, Food & Beverage
Industry News
Doc Popcorn's 100th Agreement Taking Brand to Oklahoma

Capitalizing on the $1.7 billion industry and gourmet popcorn trend, Doc Popcorn announced the awarding of its 100th franchise agreement, signifying a new company milestone for the rapidly expanding snack brand that began franchising its concept less than four years ago.

The popcorn...

Read Full Story // read more about: Doc Popcorn, Kiosk, Consumer Trends, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
Satisfaction Up Among Foodservice Franchisees

According to the “2013 Guide to Today’s Top Franchises,” published annually by market research firm Franchise Business Review, franchisee satisfaction in foodservice is up over recent years.

Read Full Story // read more about: Auntie Anne's, Culver's, Firehouse Subs
Industry News
Celebrate Graduation with a Custom DQ Mortarboard

As part of the Dairy Queen system’s launch of Orange Julius Premium Fruit Smoothies and Light Smoothies, the Berkshire Hathaway company is offering a custom-designed graphic for the graduate’s mortarboard with a question that all parents can appreciate: “Orange you glad I...

Read Full Story // read more about: Dairy Queen, Desserts, Promotions
Industry News
Dunkin' Donuts Puts a Sweet Twist on Mother's Day

Dunkin’ Donuts has brewed up a variety of sweet and easy ways to help celebrate Mother’s Day this year.

First, participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide will once again offer the Mom’s Heart Donut, a heart-shaped donut filled with Bavarian Kreme and...

Read Full Story // read more about: Dunkin' Donuts, Beverage, Desserts, Promotions
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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Women leaders like Flatbread Grill's owners successfully launch new brands.
Back of House
Cleared for Launch

Starting any business can be a difficult prospect, but in an industry where men have historically outnumbered women, the roadblocks to doing so can be even more challenging when you’re female.

For many female foodservice entrepreneurs, being taken seriously as a business owner is...

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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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Operators must protect their quick serve business from credit card fraud.
Point Of Sale
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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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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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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Fast casual brands attract customers with alcoholic beverage programs
Beverage
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...

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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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