June 20, 2013
Industry News

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels the 1,330-unit franchise made famous by its fresh, hand-rolled treats, entered its 25 th country earlier this year after opening a milestone unit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The opening signifies the execution of a master franchise agreement with K&H Vietnam Co. to open 30 units in the country...

Industry News

Atlanta Bread has announced that it will be switching all of its cafes' caffeinated espresso beans to Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business, and consumer behavior.  "We are making a...

Industry News

For a brand whose name literally translates to life in Greek, it’s fitting that Zoës Kitchen’s new mobile L.I.F.E app is meant to help consumers get the most out of theirs. The L.I.F.E. app features four primary components: A goal-setting option that allows guests to set and track personal goals, while earning free...

Industry News

This month, Newk’s Express Café launched four new pizza flavors. The pizzas—Salmon, Buffalo Chicken, Steak and Mushroom, and Crawfish—will be available through the spring. The Salmon pizza features fresh dill, capers, red onion, and a tangy dill sauce. The Buffalo Chicken pizza has Cheddar, Provolone, celery, and...

Industry News

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Cinnabon has introduced a new minty treat: the Oreo Mint Chillatta. The new specialty beverage is available now at participating Cinnabon bakeries. This creamy Chillatta is a blend of sweet cream, Oreo cookies, mint flavoring, and a ribbon of chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream...

Industry News

Shrimp is grilling at all Pollo Tropical kitchens for a limited-time-only menu appearance in the Shrimp Create Your Own TropiChop, Shrimp Quesadilla Wrap, and Shrimp Quesadilla Salad. The Grilled Shrimp Create Your Own TropiChop arrives just in time for the Lent season and can be created using the many fresh ingredients that are part of...

Health

Jamba Juice’s menu items, from its juices and smoothies to its oatmeal and wraps, are something of a healthy trifecta: They’re low in calories and fat, high in nutrients like Vitamins A and C, and contain fresh ingredients like fruits and vegetables.

Women in Foodservice

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...

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...

Five to Seven will invest in healthy and sustainble fast food brands globally.
Good Food for All

Five to Seven, a new restaurant funding initiative launched in May by foodservice industry veterans Brad Blum and John Vincent, has goodness at its core and as its goal. “Good food for the planet” is the initiative’s tagline, as Blum and Vincent want “good food”...

A Wing Zone franchisee changed his cooking equipment to get better results.
The Transformational Franchisee

Army and Air Force foodservice provider The Exchange has been serving U.S. military families since 1895 with meals in cafeteria lines and snack bars. It wasn’t until 1985, however, that it first signed a license agreement with a name-brand food franchisee—at the time, Burger King.

The Low Down on High Chair Cleanliness

The high chairs you keep on hand for your youngest customers are a welcome convenience for their moms and dads. But ensuring that high chair surfaces are cleaned and sanitized is often overlooked even in quick-service restaurants that employ the most disciplined hygiene procedures.

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....

Ensure Ice Safety by Cleaning Frequently, Handling Properly

When it comes to ice, the Food and Drug Administration is crystal clear: Ice is considered a food—and it must be as safe as drinking water. The rule applies whether the ice is to be consumed or placed in contact with food or beverages to cool them.

Superfoods like blueberries offer nutritional and flavorful menu potential.
Wonder Food

Look, up on the table! It’s a burdock. It’s a plantain. It’s … superfood!

Although there’s nothing really super-heroic about eating nutrition-rich fruits and vegetables, the foods give customers an opportunity to pursue healthier options at a time when many...

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...