June 19, 2013
Roy Bergold: Tales from McDonald’s

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The president today called a special joint session of Congress to once and for all address the obesity issue and what should be done to combat it. Before the session began, all members of both houses were required to weigh in. Almost all members demanded to remove their shoes and wallets before being weighed....

Industry News

One hundred days. That’s how long Jim Greco gave himself to right the sinking ship that was Sbarro when he took over as president and CEO in February. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2011 and emerged from it in November, having shed $200 million in debt and 25 underperforming sites. But jiggering liabilities...

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...

Five to Seven will invest in healthy and sustainble fast food brands globally.
Good Food for All

Five to Seven, a new restaurant funding initiative launched in May by foodservice industry veterans Brad Blum and John Vincent, has goodness at its core and as its goal. “Good food for the planet” is the initiative’s tagline, as Blum and Vincent want “good food”...

Superfoods like blueberries offer nutritional and flavorful menu potential.
Wonder Food

Look, up on the table! It’s a burdock. It’s a plantain. It’s … superfood!

Although there’s nothing really super-heroic about eating nutrition-rich fruits and vegetables, the foods give customers an opportunity to pursue healthier options at a time when many...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

The Low Down on High Chair Cleanliness

The high chairs you keep on hand for your youngest customers are a welcome convenience for their moms and dads. But ensuring that high chair surfaces are cleaned and sanitized is often overlooked even in quick-service restaurants that employ the most disciplined hygiene procedures.

A Wing Zone franchisee changed his cooking equipment to get better results.
The Transformational Franchisee

Army and Air Force foodservice provider The Exchange has been serving U.S. military families since 1895 with meals in cafeteria lines and snack bars. It wasn’t until 1985, however, that it first signed a license agreement with a name-brand food franchisee—at the time, Burger King.