June 20, 2013
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...

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus
Industry News

Gone are the days when the conventional taco truck was the only show in town. Contemporary food trucks slinging gourmet cupcakes, Korean BBQ, and $20 lobster rolls now vie for their share of consumers’ dollars in nearly every city across the U.S.

Read Full Story // read more about: Luke's Lobster
Industry News

A new line of 2-ounce pumps specifically designed to dispense larger portions of condiments and ingredients has recently been introduced by Server Products. Ideal for back-of-house dispensing, these pumps deliver portions up to 2 ounces (60 milliliters) per stroke to help speed prep time and improve operational efficiency. They come...

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.

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”...

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....

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.

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...

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...

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.

New fast food brands like Live Basil first start as innovative business ideas.
Birth of a Brand

It always starts with a simple idea.

For Brian Bailey at Ichor Restaurant Group, it began with the idea that Ohioans needed better barbecue. Six years after that idea initially took hold, Old Carolina Barbecue opened the doors to its first unit, in Canton, Ohio. The company later opened...

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...