May 21, 2013
Industry News
The Profit is Right

The economy may still be sputtering, but the Franchise Business Review’s (FBR) 2012 annual report, “Top 40 Food Franchises,” found that profitability is up for many foodservice brands. Average franchisee profitability at the top 40 food brands increased 5.8 percent year-over-year in the last 18 months, according to the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Franchising, Growth
McDonald's Lists Calorie Counts

In this newscast: Red Robin debuts Oktoberfest milkshakes, McDonald's post calorie counts on U.S. menuboards, Domino's introduces Handmade Pan Pizzas, and more.

Industry News
2012 QSR Drive-Thru Study

The drive-thru operation of a quick-service restaurant may seem relatively cut and dried, but operators aren’t resting on their laurels when it comes to their outdoor business. For many brands in the industry, the drive thru can account for anywhere between 50 and 70 percent of sales—no small number in a $200 billion...

Read Full Story // read more about: Bojangles', Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Krystal, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Drive Thru, In the Store
Ordering
The Drive-Thru Fixer-Upper

On a recent visit to shop his competition, operator Thom Crosby saw disappointment after disappointment in the drive thru. Bad customer service while placing and paying for his order, poorly dressed employees, and backed-up cars plagued operation after operation. But to Crosby, the experience was more than just a bad lunch. It...

Read Full Story // read more about: Checkers, Pal's Sudden Service, Rally's, Wing Zone, Drive Thru, In the Store
Emerging Concepts
One to Watch: Cheeseboy

Grilled cheese sandwiches have traditionally been made at home or at full-service diners. A few higher-end places have experimented with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches made with ingredients like watercress and Brie, and some sub shops offer toasting to melt their cheese. But generally, a simple, affordable grilled cheese in a...

Read Full Story // read more about: Cheeseboy, Sandwiches, Franchising, Growth, Fast Casual
Executive Insights
The Hands-On CEO

Setting strategic objectives, visiting stores, developing franchisee relationships, building a strong organization, mentoring tomorrow’s leaders—CEOs have a lot of responsibilities on their plate. But several chief executives manage to add one very helpful task to their to-do list: getting into the field.

Read Full Story // read more about: Firehouse Subs, Fresh to Order, Salsarita's, Franchising, Growth, Human Resources
Emerging Concepts
One to Watch: Cheba Hut Toasted Subs

Let’s just go ahead and put it out there: Cheba Hut is a hippie’s dream concept. Everything from menu items and sizes of sandwiches are described using what management refers to as “counter-culture” lingo.

Read Full Story // read more about: Cheba Hut, Sandwiches, Franchising, Growth
Franchising
It Takes Two in Franchising

For more than 33 years, franchisees Ken Gray and Larry Erdman have been successful business partners in the quick-serve industry. Having grown up together and attended the same high school and college, Gray and Erdman became master franchisees with Subway in 1979, a venture that spanned more than 25 years. The duo has since seen lasting...

Read Full Story // read more about: Philly's Best, Growth
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
Great American Cookies Tips Off at Philips Arena

Global Franchise Group, a strategic brand management company, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

A co-branded store featuring Pretzelmaker and Great American Cookies will be open to guests during all ticketed events held at...

Read Full Story // read more about: Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, Desserts, Growth
Industry News
Del Taco to Offer Free Food Wednesdays

As Del Taco rolls out changes to their restaurants, the new Buck & Under and New Tastes menus continue to generate positive consumer buzz. The new menus made their system-wide debut with the overall brand relaunch on April 24.

Read Full Story // read more about: Del Taco, Marketing, In the Store, Food & Beverage, Promotions
Industry News
Bojangles' Plays Teacher's Pet For Teacher Appreciation Month

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined South Carolina Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, South Carolina Future Minds, founding sponsor Bojangles’ and other supporters of public education to officially declare May as Teacher Appreciation Month in South Carolina.  

To...

Read Full Story // read more about: Bojangles', Charitable Giving, Promotions
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
Destroyed Freddy's Gets Back on Its Feet in Joplin, MO

Nearly two years after a devastating F5 tornado ravaged Freddy’s, the restaurant is returning to Joplin, Missouri.

The new, freestanding location is about one mile south of the former site. The official grand opening is Sunday, May 5, and the crew has been training for the past...

Read Full Story // read more about: Freddy's, Burgers, 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
3 Sustainable Seafood LTOs Join Rubio's Menu

As part of its continued efforts to offer guests high-quality coastal cuisine, Rubio’s Restaurants is introducing three new chef-crafted sustainable seafood items to its menu for a limited time. Today, Rubio’s fans and friends are invited to stop in and try the new Grilled...

Read Full Story // read more about: Rubio's, Menu Development, Sustainability, Fast Casual, Ingredients & Dayparts
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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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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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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Operators must protect their quick serve business from credit card fraud.
Point Of Sale
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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Secure quick serve restaurants improve sales and have high return on investment.
Back of House
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...

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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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Fast casual brands attract customers with alcoholic beverage programs
Beverage
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...

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Industry News
Concessions Int'l Names New VP of Business Development

Atlanta-based Concessions International (CI), a leading foodservice concessionaire with operations in airports across the United States,announced the promotion of LeMonica Hakeem to vice president of business development.

Hakeem has worked in a variety of roles within CI and sister company HJ Russell & Company over the past 12 years, most recently as interim director of business development.

She was instrumental in CI being awarded its Atlanta airport contract and three additional locations in its Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth operations.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Women's Foodservice Forum Returns to White House

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) returns to the White House to honor extraordinary women veterans who are making a difference in communities across the country. The event is part of the White House Champions of Change, which brings individuals to the White House to share their ideas for winning the future. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Starbucks Recruits Sharon Rothstein as Global CMO

Starbucks Coffee Company announced it has appointed Sharon Rothstein as global chief marketing officer.

Rothstein was previously senior vice president of marketing at innovative specialty beauty retailer Sephora.

Read Full Story // read more about: Starbucks, Beverage, Marketing, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Cintas Partner Receives RFMA's Vendor of the Year Award

Cintas Corporation, a leader in fire-protection services, announced that Annaji Sailer, a Cintas employee-partner, has received the prestigious “Vendor of the Year” award from the Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA).

Sailer works for Dunnwell, a division of Cintas Fire Protection, and has been a RFMA member for nearly five years, dedicating herself to advancing the restaurant facility management profession and women within the industry.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice
Women in Foodservice
Tap Into the Network

More women enter the foodservice industry every year, and they’re being met with a growing wealth of experience and support from which they can draw. A number of networking and leadership development groups have taken on the task of providing stronger gender diversity at all levels of the industry, and are ensuring that more growth opportunities exist for women.

Read Full Story // read more about: Dairy Queen, Meatheads, Wendy's, Growth, Human Resources
Industry News
WFF Partners Up with People Report

 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Consumer Trends, Women in Foodservice, Technology
Industry News
Apply Now for Les Dames d'Escoffier Int'l Awards

The application period for the fifth-annual Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards is now open.

This year, six LDEI Legacy Awards will be given in three categories: Culinary, Wine, and Entrepreneurship.

Each Legacy Award offers a one-week workplace experience under the direction of highly successful, award-winning members of LDEI. The Legacy experience is a high-energy, labor-intensive, and career-expanding opportunity.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Women's Foodservice Forum Appoints New Board Members

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors: Karen Bowman of Deloitte, Twila Day of Sysco, and Jack Sinclair of Walmart.

WFF Board member Marie Perry, of Brinker International, has joined the board’s Executive Committee in the role of treasurer, replacing the retiring Julie Swan, formerly of Sysco.

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice