May 19, 2013
Health

The lower the calorie counts in restaurant menu items, the better for business, according to recent research by public policy research organization Hudson Institute. The report analyzed 21 of the nation’s largest restaurant chains, including quick-service brands like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King. It found that...

Industry News

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery announced a remodeling initiative that will be seeded in more than 20 corporate locations during the first half of 2013, with franchise restaurants to follow shortly thereafter.  The culmination of extensive research conducted across the country, Perkins remodelpackage—developed by...

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Industry News

Rita’s Italian Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with more than 625 outlets in 20 states, announced tit has partnered with STARBURST on Rita’s newest Ice flavor.  STARBURST Strawberry Ice will be available for a limited time at all open Rita’s Ice outlets through Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  ...

Industry News

It may seem like a lofty goal, but Taco Bell is dead set on not only redefining value at the quick-service level, but also delivering it to consumers in a variety of ways. Specifically, the brand is focusing on four key areas: the low- and high-price end of the menu, new menus and promotions, and limited-time offers, said Chris Brandt,...

Executive Insights

The most powerful woman in the restaurant industry isn’t intimidating, nor is she larger than life. She isn’t cold, tight-lipped, terse, or abrasive. She doesn’t talk down to you. She doesn’t double-book you and cancel at the last second. Certainly one might expect such a person to be and do any number of those...

Franchising

Paul Hironimus turned 80 years old in January. Like so many other franchisees, Hironimus, a Long Beach City College graduate, began his professional career outside the quick-service industry, serving as a draftsman in Los Angeles. Nine years after graduating, in the early ’60s, Hironimus took an interest in Wienerschnitzel, which...

Promotions

Panera Bread’s “Live Consciously, Eat Deliciously” platform, which launched in late February after nearly a year of testing and research, is a first for the brand. Rather than touting Panera’s products, it focuses on the concept’s philosophy. “We really wanted to talk more about why we exist as a...

Industry News

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, just one mile away from the first blast, were...

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...

Burger King's new coffee beverages position the brand to compete with McDonalds.
Coffee is King

Forget quick-serve mainstays like burgers and fries. These days, limited-service brands are looking to coffee to beef up business, and Burger King is the latest chain to get in on the action.

Burger King’s customers can now enjoy 10 new specialty drinks, including iced coffees in a...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

 
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.