May 18, 2013
Industry News
Quaker Steak & Lube Serves Up Its Billionth Chicken Wing

The award-winning franchise Quaker Steak & Lube, known for its Best Wings USA and more than 20 sauces, made history as it served up the company’s billionth chicken wing at the Plano Lube “Hard Hat” & Billionth Wing Party on November 15. The private event, attended by more than 200 VIPs, celebrated the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Quaker Steak & Lube, Marketing, Franchising, Promotions, Growth
Fast Casual
Living the LYFE in Quick Service

Ask a quick-serve industry analyst about the latest in fast-food trends, and he might point you to fast casual, healthy eating, fresh food, sustainability, and celebrity chefs.

Read Full Story // read more about: LYFE Kitchen, Design, Competition, Menu Innovations, Growth, Emerging Concepts
Industry News
Penn Station Gets Physical with Athlete of the Month Program

Penn Station East Coast Subs celebrates its 15th anniversary of recognizing student athletes and high schools in the Greater Dayton, Ohio, area. Penn Station launched the “Athlete of the Month” (PSAM) program to showcase the extraordinary student athletes, scholastic achievement, and good citizenship in Dayton. Since then,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Penn Station East Coast Subs, Marketing, Promotions
Industry News
The Ultimate Staff Reward

Any seasoned brand, operator, or human-resources expert will tell you that rewarding your employees can bring about a host of positive results, from improved employee morale to better customer service. But pretzel chain Auntie Anne’s is taking employee incentives to a new level, awarding one deserving and unsuspecting employee not...

Read Full Story // read more about: Auntie Anne's, Operations, Franchising, Human Resources
Industry News
Pizza Patrón to Set Up Shop in Phoenix and San Antonio

Pizza Patrón has opened stores in three different markets in the last three weeks.  The company plans to open two more restaurants before the end of the year – one in Phoenix and the other in San Antonio.

Read Full Story // read more about: Pizza Patron, Pizza, Food & Beverage
Industry News
Baskin-Robbins Takes On Turkey Day with LTO Desserts

Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, is offering ice cream lovers an extra treat this Thanksgiving holiday with its delicious Turkey Cake and new Turkey Leg individual novelty, now available at participating Baskin-Robbins locations nationwide. To delve deeper into turkey day trends,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Baskin-Robbins, Desserts, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations
Industry News
Subway Donates to WWP to Thank Veterans for Their Service

Subway Restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, will partner with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, and support its vision to foster the most successful and well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.

Read Full Story // read more about: Subway, Charitable Giving, Charitable Giving, Promotions
Consumer Trends
Meet Your Consumer

There is no average quick-service customer. Or so says Kim Holman, director of marketing for Wixon Inc., a flavor researcher and manufacturer. She believes the U.S. has become such a melting pot of age, race, and other demographics spread out across disparate regions that fast-food operators have no way of singling out any one typical,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Arby's, Famous Dave's, Marketing, Competition, Promotions, Growth
Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey is innovativing the POS space with Square.
Industry News
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...

Read Full Story // read more about: Little Muenster, Kiosk, Online & Remote Ordering, Point Of Sale, In the Store, Consumer Trends, Ordering
Industry News
Salsarita's Signs on for 3 in KY; Acquires 5 in NC

Salsarita’s, the Fresh Mexican Cantina with locations across the country, has announced a development agreement that will bring three new restaurants to Lexington, Kentucky, by the end of 2016 as it expands nationally through franchising.

Long-time local residents Bill and Holli...

Read Full Story // read more about: Salsarita's, Franchising, Growth, Fast Casual
Industry News
Natural Low/No-Calorie Sweeteners Use Increases

The arrival of natural low/no-calorie sweeteners has met an eager audience. Use of these products has doubled in the past six years as consumers have become more familiar with them.   

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus, Food & Beverage, Health
Industry News
Huddle House Offers $25K to Operators Who Remodel

Huddle House is offering a $25,000 financial incentive to the first 100 franchisees who commit to a remodel by July 31, 2014.

Franchisees would use $20,000 of the incentive to offset the costs of the remodel, with the remaining $5,000 to be used for local marketing efforts.

Should...

Read Full Story // read more about: Huddle House, Design, Finance, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
Cold Stone Keeps Int'l Momentum Going

The Cold Stone Creamery brand continues to pave its way internationally with its newest locations in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

The brand, which has spread to 20 countries, is teaming up with a variety of master partners in order to expand the ice cream concept into key strategic markets...

Read Full Story // read more about: Cold Stone Creamery, Desserts, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
Capriotti's Stays Up Late at Newest Arizona Unit

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop has announced its newest restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, which will stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends for late night Caps cravings.

The Scottsdale restaurant will offer another spot for Capriotti’s fans to enjoy the award-winning subs. To...

Read Full Story // read more about: Capriotti's, Sandwiches, Growth
Industry News
Sonic Bolsters Franchise Team with New Hires

Sonic announced the expansion of its franchise development team with two additions to its management team: Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales and international development, and Thomas Kessler, senior director of franchise sales. The move reinforces Sonic’s commitment to...

Read Full Story // read more about: Sonic, Burgers, Franchising, Human Resources
Industry News
Marketing Experts Gather for NRA Show Panel

Duke Marketing, a full-service marketing communications firm specializing in multiunit restaurants, retail, and foodservice operations, announced chief executive Linda Duke will moderate a panel of three Marketing Executive Group (MEG) board members at the upcoming National Restaurant...

Read Full Story // read more about: Marketing
Burger King's new coffee beverages position the brand to compete with McDonalds.
Beverage
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...

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McAlisters Deli franchisee says casual dining experience helps in quick service.
Sandwiches
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....

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Tin Drum Asia Cafe used equity firm investment to stay debt free in growth.
Finance
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...

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Superfoods like whole grains and oatmeal offer healthy menu alternative.
Healthy Menus
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...

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Operators must protect their quick serve business from credit card fraud.
Back of House
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...

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Corner Bakery's new menu items use fresh ingredients to offer premium quality.
Breakfast
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...

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The Boston Fire Department was treated to free meals at Firehouse Subs.
Charitable Giving
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...

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Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey is innovativing the POS space with Square.
Point Of Sale
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...

See More
 
Industry News
Fazoli's Cathy Hull Recognized as Top Marketing Exec in 2012

Cathy Hull, Fazoli’s chief marketing officer, has been selected by the ranking committee of ExecRank as a “Top Private Company Marketing Executive” for 2012.

The rankings are the result of two years of research and feedback from evaluation committees and top chief marketing officers that yielded an algorithm for how to rank marketing executives based on their performance in 24 key areas.

Read Full Story // read more about: Fazoli's, Marketing, Menu Development, Women in Foodservice, Outside Insights
Industry News
Katherine Schieffelin Joins NRAEF as SVP

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced that Katherine Speyer Schieffelin has joined the foundation as senior vice president and chief development officer.

Schieffelin brings more than a decade of experience in management, fundraising, and campaign planning to the NRAEF and will aid in the foundation’s mission to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and the promotion of career opportunities. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Industry Recruiting Co. Earns WBENC Accreditation

Patrice Rice, CEO and founder of Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting—which helps thousands of managerial candidates find rewarding jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry—announced that Patrice & Associates has earned accreditation from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Maui Wowi Franchisee Raises $1,200 for Make-A-Wish

An Illinois franchisee of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies recently donated more than $1200 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as part of the Ultimate Gymnastics Tournament that was held November 30–December 2, 2012 at Harper College.

The 13th-annual Ultimate Wish Classic has raised more than $400,000 for the charitable foundation.

Read Full Story // read more about: Maui Wowi, Beverage, Charitable Giving, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Maui Wowi Surfs into Southern California

Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a tropical island-themed franchise concept serving fresh Hawaiian-grown coffee and all-natural smoothies, embodies the Aloha spirit and laidback lifestyle that its newest franchise operator has lived and breathed all her life.

Maui Wowi welcomes Pa 'Akai Ventures, operated by Jenna Roberts, to join the company's growing West Coast presence as a new franchisee in El Cajon, California, near San Diego.

Read Full Story // read more about: Maui Wowi, Beverage, Women in Foodservice, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
NRA President Recognized for Healthy-Living Initiatives

National Restaurant Association (NRA) president and CEO Dawn Sweeney has been recognized by the Campaign to End Obesity for her work in helping inspire and guide the foodservice industry’s nutrition initiatives.

Sweeney, in recognition of her efforts, received the award at a December 6 awards gala at Discovery Channel Worldwide headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Barberitos Makes its Way to Cary, North Carolina

Barberitos Franchising Inc. announces the opening of its 31st restaurant location in Cary, North Carolina. The new store will open in February 2013.

Read Full Story // read more about: Barberitos, Operations, Women in Foodservice, Franchising, Growth, Expansion
Industry News
Fish Consulting Expands its Team, Promotes Senior Leaders

Fish Consulting, a full-service national communications firm specializing in franchise marketing and public relations, announces it has promoted several senior leaders and added two new employees.

Read Full Story // read more about: Fish Consulting LLC, Marketing, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources