May 25, 2013
Industry News

It seems one quick-serve company may have found a way to beat the age-old challenge of being in more than one place at a time. With the launch of two custom smartphone apps, owners and corporate officials at Edible Arrangements will be able to keep virtual watch over multiple stores at any given time.

Industry News

Mike Hardin doesn’t own a computer and openly admits his personal understanding of technology is stuck in the ’70s. But that didn’t stop him, as owner of the iconic burger joint Hodad’s in San Diego, from completely refurbishing his restaurant with LED lights to prove to the industry the viability of energy-saving...

Industry News

Seattle’s Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation, today announced that its commuter-centric concept menu is set to arrive at one of the busiest boroughs in the world with the opening of a new Brooklyn franchise location. Franchisee Eddie Shamah will open the doors of the new Seattle’s Best Coffee location near the new...

Industry News

Henny Penny Corporation has been named both Equipment Supplier of the Year and Supplier of the Year by the KFC organization in recognition of recently introduced holding cabinet technology and overall excellence in service and partnership. The awards were announced in May at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, during the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Henny Penny, KFC, Equipment
Industry News

MOD Pizza has officially opened its sixth Seattle-area location at the newly renovated Seattle Center Armory/Center House on Friday, June 15. The ribbon cutting ceremony included Seattle Center officials and MOD executives and advisors.

Industry News

In central Connecticut, the steamed cheeseburger is king, much to the credit of Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburgers. From its 650-square-foot, 18-seat shop in Meriden, Connecticut, the 53-year-old eatery serves its signature steamed meat-and-cheese combo on a fresh-baked bun. In addition to becoming a heralded local favorite, Ted’s...

Industry News

When President Barack Obama takes a break from running the country, he’s been known to eat his way through Washington, D.C. The president has dined at some of the area’s most celebrated fine-dining establishments, including Komi, Citronelle, and Equinox, as well as at more casual eateries like Ben’s Chili Bowl and...

Growth

In the highly competitive restaurant industry, where innovation reigns, a lot can happen in the span of half a decade. Five years ago, the quick-serve industry was a different place. Five Guys was mostly a regional player and the better-burger category had yet to explode. Chipotle started making headlines with its commitment to...

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...

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...

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

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...

Women leaders like Flatbread Grill's owners successfully launch new brands.
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...

Innovations like the Marinara Tower were featured on the NRA Show floor.
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...

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....

 
Franchising

After working for more than 12 years in multiple departments of the Smoothie King corporate office, Rose Kuhnau made her franchising debut in 2000, purchasing her first Smoothie King unit in New Orleans.

Today, Kuhnau owns four units in the Big Easy’s metropolitan area, helping to grow a brand that was started by her father. She was recently named one of the “Most Improved Franchisees” after transforming one unit and increasing sales by $250,000 in its first year.

Industry News

LeChurro, NYC’s new destination for authentic Spanish churros, opened October 24 at 1236 Lexington Avenue (between 84th and 83rdStreets).

LeChurro aims to combine tradition with modern innovation by offering old-fashioned, made-to-order churros, served in beautiful packaging in a fun and friendly environment.

The store will offer cones of churros (cucurucho means cone), mini churros, chocolate-dipped churros (bombon), and filled churros (with both sweet and savory fillings).

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.