May 19, 2013
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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Secure quick serve restaurants improve sales and have high return on investment.
Safety, Security, Sales

Traditionally, when quick serves plan security strategies, they address three main industry challenges: prevent shrinkage, guard against in-store and drive-thru robbery, and protect the company from fraudulent lawsuits. Operators need to carefully examine security solutions that will provide the...

 
Industry News

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the largest double drive-thru chain in the United States, honored its outstanding employees and franchisees at the company’s Best of the Best Awards Ceremony held at its National Convention in Las Vegas from September 25–28, 2012.

The awards recognize the employees and franchisees that have added to the tremendous growth and success Checkers has experienced over the past year as the brand continues to develop with new locations across the country.

Industry News

After years of partnership with Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), the leading organization for developing talent in the foodservice industry, ARAMARK Corporation is taking its partnership to new levels, becoming a Catalyst partner of WFF.

The partnership is a tremendous display of support for WFF’s mission in advancing women leaders.

Industry News

FranNet, America’s most respected leader in matching individuals with franchise opportunities through a free and extensive educational and coaching process, is pleased to announce its President and COO, Jania Bailey, will be joining the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Bailey accompanies five other industry leaders also joining the board this winter.

Industry News

LYFE Kitchen, the lifestyle brand of great-tasting, good-for-you food—including a restaurant in Palo Alto, California, and a retail product line of ready-to-eat meals—announced that Jennifer Garner, globally acclaimed actress, philanthropist, and lifestyle role model, is joining the brand.

Garner will serve as charitable and strategic advisor and a member of LYFE Kitchen’s ambassador panel in an effort to spread awareness to active moms and families. She will also further the brand’s commitment to practice social and environmental responsibility.

Franchising

Having started as a crewmember at the age of 16, Vicki Marshall has nearly 35 years of experience with Little Caesars. The first female franchisee for the brand, Marshall opened her first unit at age 22, and now owns 23 stores across Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio.

Marshall’s experience with the brand has given her extensive knowledge of how franchisees should assess potential employees, hire the strongest candidates, and encourage them throughout their employment.

Franchising

Christi Hogin and her business partners Michael Jenkins and Chris Khaleghian opened their first Tossed unit in the heart of Los Angeles’ Financial District in March. Hogin and Jenkins, both lawyers, and Khaleghian, a former Johnny Rockets and Subway franchisee, built several sustainable elements into the salad store that not only reduce the carbon footprint of the unit, but also attract eco-conscious consumers.

Hogin shares her tips on “going green” and how this sustainable enterprise has developed both the brand and profitability.

Emerging Concepts

There’s been no lack of new faces and places on the frozen dessert landscape in the past 10 years, but with innovative flavors like Wildberry Lavender ice cream and Riesling Poached Pear sorbet, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams stands out in the crowd.

In 2000, Jeni Britton Bauer was studying art history at Ohio State University and considering career possibilities. She had worked in a French bakery through college and thought pastries might be her calling, so she practiced her skills at home.

Executive Insights

What’s hot in foodservice?

Ask the entrepreneurs of the Millennial generation. Their ideas reflect Gen Y values such as sustainability, nutrition, and charitable giving.

Their dedication is unwavering. Mary Lemmer skipped her high school prom to go to the Northeast and research Italian water ice. Seth Priebatsch debuted his first online company—he admits it was a complete failure—at 12, and kept conceiving ideas until one stuck. Deepti Sharma kissed law school goodbye when an all-night study session inspired an ordering website for food trucks.