May 23, 2013
Industry News

The Stouffer’s line of heat-and-serve products helps produce a more efficient, effective kitchen. The frozen format locks in texture and nutritional value, without adding preservatives, artificial ingredients, or artificial colors to most. Stouffer’s entrées, sides, and sauces have a consistent quality and are rated No. 1...

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Industry News

ParTech, Inc., a subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation, announced that CKE Restaurants has selected the new PAR EverServ 7700 POS for its Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants. After a rigorous testing and certification process by CKE, the EverServ 7700 terminal is now approved and certified for all Carl’s Jr. and...

Industry News

The long road to recovery from traumatic combat injuries is getting a little easier for hundreds of American service members and their families, thanks to a donation from Taco John’s. The quick-service Mexican restaurant chain has contributed $50,000 to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Industry News

Concessions International (CI), a leading concessionaire with food and beverage outlets in major airports in the U.S. and Virgin Islands, announced the appointment of Donata Russell Major to the role of chief executive, effective immediately. Major, who previously served as the company’s vice chairman and has been a principal...

Industry News

Last week, Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint opened new restaurant locations in Dunwoody, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, raising the total number of open franchises to nine throughout the Southeast. By the end of fall this year, 20 more restaurants will open, including locations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and...

Industry News

It’s no secret to those in the quick-service industry that Captain D’s, a 520-unit seafood brand established in 1969, has been struggling for the better part of the last decade. Something not as well known: how hard the brand has worked to save its sinking ship. And it appears to be paying off.

Industry News

Ryan’s, HomeTown Buffet, and Old Country Buffet are offering a sea of dishes for families observing the Lenten season. From seafood to pasta to home-style sides, there are plenty of options for guests. All 337 buffet restaurants are serving up seafood specials every Friday during dinner, plus other Lent-friendly offerings daily....

Emerging Concepts

At the world’s largest children’s museum, healthy eating is on display. Spurred by the National Restaurant Association and Healthy Dining—an organization dedicated to helping people maintain healthier lifestyles—The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis became the globe’s first museum to embrace the Kids...

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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Innovations like the Marinara Tower were featured on the NRA Show floor.
Recapping the NRA Show

As the lights went out on the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) in Chicago on Tuesday, there was plenty to consider about the future of the industry.

The show featured no shortage of technological advancements, not just in computing hardware...

 
Industry News

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced they have elected officers to their Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, respectively.

The officers began their one-year terms on January 1, 2013, and recently led their first board meetings.

In addition, the Association and the Educational Foundation have named several industry leaders to join their respective boards.

Industry News

On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) brought over 30 women executives from the foodservice industry to the White House to forge a strategic alliance between key business leaders and White House initiatives.

Industry News

On February 20, 2013, Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) board chair Lorna Donatone and president and CEO Fritzi Woods led a delegation of more than 30 foodservice executives to Washington to participate in the organization’s first White House issues briefing. 

The visit marks WFF’s continued efforts to elevate the mission, purpose, and goals of the organization: to advance women leaders. 

Industry News

Liquid Nutrition is proud to announce the appointment of Anna Datri to the role of vice president marketing.

With more than 20 years of experience across various types of retailers, Datri brings a wide range of merchandising and marketing expertise to Liquid Nutrition.

Her track record includes developing innovative programs for various brands, such as Teaopia, Second Cup, and Laura Secord. 

Industry News

Concessions International (CI), a leading concessionaire with food and beverage outlets in major airports in the U.S. and Virgin Islands, announced the appointment of Donata Russell Major to the role of chief executive, effective immediately.

Major, who previously served as the company’s vice chairman and has been a principal factor in the company’s growth, has worked in a variety of jobs during her 28-year career at the Atlanta-based concessionaire.

Industry News

Kathleen Wood, renowned restaurant industry consultant and co-owner of Suzy’s Swirl, has been invited to join a delegation from the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) to participate in the organization’s first White House issues briefing. 

Industry News

Anchor Packaging,one of the largest thermoformers in North America, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marilyn Stapleton to the newly created position of director of corporate advertising and public relations.

Stapleton joins Anchor from Dart/Solo, where she served as product manager, take-out packaging since 2010.

Industry News

Doc Popcorn, the largest popcorn retailer in the world, announces that Renee Israel, co-founder and CMO of Doc Popcorn, has received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award for 2013 from Enterprising Women magazine.