May 24, 2013
Food Safety
Cracking the Food Safety Code

For years, barcode technology has been commonplace in the retail sector, where it’s used to gather information about products, sales, and even consumer trends at various transaction points. But now, due to a major standardization initiative and broadening food-safety concerns, the same barcoding technology may be poised to catch on...

Read Full Story // read more about: Yum! Brands, Back of House, Back Office, In the Store
Marc Halperin: Resident F&B Expert
How to Be a Sandwich Artist

Say this for modern quick-serve sandwiches: They’re certainly not standing still.

Read Full Story // read more about: Sandwiches, Menu Innovations
Roy Bergold: Tales from McDonald’s
Let’s Get Personal

You walk into the branch bank where you have been a customer for more than nine years. You want to cash a dividend check for 84 cents, but are required to show your driver’s license, a blank check from your account, the last four digits of your social security number, your blood type, and your mother’s maiden name.

Read Full Story // read more about: Competition, In the Store
Denise Lee Yohn: QSR’s Marketing Guru
Innovation or Core? Try Both

Q: How do you innovate in new areas while maintaining strong execution on your core business? A: Three hundred industry leaders recently grappled with this question at the Women’s Foodservice Forum Executive Summit. Speakers and attendees shared insights on and challenges with achieving the right balance between...

Read Full Story // read more about: Starbucks, In the Store
Industry News
What Comedy Can Do For You

Wahoo’s Fish Taco has always had a flare for the unusual. From the menu to the décor, the brand fuses fun and quirky characteristics with a cool atmosphere and image.

Read Full Story // read more about: Wahoo's Fish Taco, Marketing, Social Media, Promotions
Industry News
Popeyes Brings Back Dip’n Chick’n

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, a division of AFC Enterprises Inc., announces the return of its highly popular Dip’n Chick’n. Dip'n Chick'n is served with Cajun fries, a biscuit, and an extra-large serving of Popeyes Signature Blackened Ranch Dipping Sauce for only $3.99 through October 21, 2012. Wash it all down with a...

Read Full Story // read more about: Popeyes, Menu Development, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations, Promotions
Consumer Trends
Drive Time

Breakfast is on a roll. Even though most Americans prepare or eat their morning meals at home, an increasing number of them are opting for breakfast on the way to work, particularly at quick-service restaurant locations. Nearly half of consumers visited a limited-service restaurant for their early meal last year, up from a third in...

Read Full Story // read more about: Bojangles', Chick-fil-A, Dunkin' Donuts, Jack in the Box, Le Pain Quotidien, McDonald's, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Taco John's, The Melt, White Castle, Breakfast, Menu Development, Ingredients & Dayparts
Industry News
The Little Restaurant That Could

Localita & The Badasserie may be tucked into the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles, and might even be the smallest quick serve in the world ( Guinness is looking into it). But the four-week-old, 80-square-foot hole in the wall is quickly proving that even an eco-conscious restaurant with an all-vegan menu and tiny footprint...

Read Full Story // read more about: Growth
Industry News
Alaska Seafood Goes Vintage with Marketing Materials

Capture the delicious heritage of wild Alaska cod with new merchandising materials from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI).

Inspired by the tradition of Alaska's fisheries, this vintage-inspired creative evokes the energy and dedication that have been passed down for...

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Industry News
Baskin-Robbins Sherbet Shows Up on Freezer Aisles

Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, announced the launch of a new line of shelf-stable, sherbet-flavored freezer bars, which are rolling out at major national retailers this spring.

Baskin-Robbins’ Sherbet Flavored Freezer Bars are the first...

Read Full Story // read more about: Baskin-Robbins, Desserts, Menu Development
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
Sublime Doughnuts Open Up Shop for Franchising

Sublime Doughnuts, Atlanta’s award-winning doughnut shop, announced plans to open franchise opportunities for interested investors.

Sublime Doughnuts is owned by Culinary Institute of America graduate Kamal Grant. Grant opened Sublime Doughnuts in 2008 in the eclectic West Midtown...

Read Full Story // read more about: Sublime Doughnuts, Desserts, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
Groupon Expands Breadcrumb to All Businesses

Groupon announced the launch of Breadcrumb POS, a free iPad app that enables quick-service eateries, salons, spas, and retail merchants to replace their cash registers with an easy-to-use solution that offers local businesses a low-price guarantee.

Breadcrumb POS expands the number of...

Read Full Story // read more about: Point Of Sale
Industry News
Oklahoma Sonic Unit Makes Ordering a Breeze for Truckers

Sonic Drive-In in Valliant, Oklahoma, wants people to know, “Truckers Welcome!”

This message scrolls across a large banner in front of the drive-in, and local franchisees, Tommy and Julie Dorries, have gone to great lengths to deliver a unique experience for truck drivers in a...

Read Full Story // read more about: Sonic, Beverage, Design, Digital Signage & Menuboards
Industry News
Dairy Queen Delivers Choco Peanut Butter Brownie

The Dairy Queen system is serving up a new, decadent Choco Peanut Butter Brownie as the featured Blizzard of the Month for May.

A smooth blend of peanut butter, choco chunks, and brownie pieces tumbled with DQsignature creamy vanilla soft serve, Choco Peanut Butter Brownieis available...

Read Full Story // read more about: Dairy Queen, Desserts, Menu Development
Industry News
Barberitos Franchising Grows to 48 Locations

Barberitos Franchising Inc. is excited to announce that it has signed five more locations in the Southeast. This brings the total number of franchised Barberitos locations to 48.

Read Full Story // read more about: Barberitos, Operations, Franchising, Growth
Women leaders like Flatbread Grill's owners successfully launch new brands.
Finance
Cleared for Launch

Starting any business can be a difficult prospect, but in an industry where men have historically outnumbered women, the roadblocks to doing so can be even more challenging when you’re female.

For many female foodservice entrepreneurs, being taken seriously as a business owner is...

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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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Innovations like the Marinara Tower were featured on the NRA Show floor.
Back of House
Recapping the NRA Show

As the lights went out on the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) in Chicago on Tuesday, there was plenty to consider about the future of the industry.

The show featured no shortage of technological advancements, not just in computing hardware...

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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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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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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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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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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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Industry News
Industry Vet Sheri Miksa Takes the Reins at Boneheads

Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken, the popular six-unit Atlanta-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for its signature Piri-Piri Chicken and distinctively flavored fresh grilled seafood menu, hasnamed 25-year hospitality and restaurant industry veteran, Sheri Miksa, as its new CEO and president. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Boneheads, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
CIA Students Serve Up Comfort Food for Travelers

Global restaurateur HMSHost is proud to announce the winners of the Fast & Fabulous Recipe Contest, a program that the company cosponsors with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Jessica Hargrove and Lauren Fury, students at the CIA, were recognized as the winners of the contest for their Toasted Flatbread Mac n’ Cheese and Chicken and Waffles recipes, respectively.

Read Full Story // read more about: Menu Development, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Golden Tiger Pounces on a New Website for Asian Products

It may have been Jean Lee’s father who first opened the popular Chinese Deli in Chinatown back in 1963, but it was Jean Lee’s menu of Asian specialties that eventually became the first “Chinese fast-food concept” in America.  

The model Lee created has evolved into what’s now an extensive line of authentic Dim Sum under the brand Golden Tiger. To promote the brand, the most advanced online site for Asian products in the country has just been launched.

Read Full Story // read more about: Menu Development, Women in Foodservice, Ingredients & Dayparts, Technology
Industry News
Burger King Selects Jerrell Moore as Chief Diversity Officer

Burger King Corporation, a subsidiary of Burger King Worldwide, announced the appointment of Jerrell Moore as chief diversity officer.

In this role, Moore will be responsible for continuing to grow efforts in support of BKC’s four-pronged diversity and inclusion strategy focused on workforce, guests and community, franchisees, and supplier diversity.

Read Full Story // read more about: Burger King, Burgers, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Edible Arrangements Recognizes Best of the Best

Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in handcrafted fresh-fruit arrangements, recently recognized exemplary members of the corporate team for their contributions to a banner 2012 that included the opening of the company’s 1,000th location.

Amy Wietmarschen, project manager in the operations department, received the highest honor, the Pineapple Super Star Award, in recognition of her commitment to the brand, franchisees, and customers. She also was presented with a new Toyota.

Read Full Story // read more about: Edible Arrangements, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Sub Zero Ice Cream Dives Into "Shark Tank"

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt, the modern company that uses the science of cryogenics to freeze ice cream instantly before customers’ eyes, will be featured on ABC's “Shark Tank”.

In this episode, Jerry and Naomi Hancock, the creators of Sub Zero, team up to impress the panel of judges as they pitch the unique concept. The episode of "Shark Tank" airs Friday, January 11, 2013, on the ABC Television Network.

Most locations will be hosting in-store viewing parties with free samples and nitrogen demonstrations.

Read Full Story // read more about: Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt, Desserts, Women in Foodservice, Emerging Concepts
Industry News
Krispy Kreme Names New VP of U.S. Franchise Development

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. announced that Patricia Perry has joined the company as its new vice president of U.S. franchise development. In this role, Perry will coordinate completion of the company's domestic franchising plans and lead its domestic franchise recruiting efforts.  

Read Full Story // read more about: Krispy Kreme, Breakfast, Women in Foodservice, Franchising, Growth, Human Resources
Women in Foodservice
The Power of Mom

In the spirit of QSR’s Year of Women in Foodservice initiative, we’re dedicating a monthly section to recognizing the issues that affect women in foodservice and the contributions they make in our industry. If you know a woman with an inspiring story to share or an issue you think needs to be addressed, send your ideas to YearofWomen@qsrmagazine.com.

The number of U.S. households with kids under 18 is about 39 million—33 percent of the country—and moms run more than twice as many single-parent households as dads.

Read Full Story // read more about: Doc Popcorn, Moe's Southwest Grill, Marketing, Competition, Consumer Trends, Promotions, Health