May 21, 2013
Industry News

Robbie Davis, driving the #37 MINI of Charleston MINI Cooper, scored a pro series win at the New Jersey Motorsports Park GRAND-AM auto race, while Chip Howell, driving the #55 MINI Cooper Pioneer Racing car sponsored by QSR magazine, set the fastest lap and track record for the B-Spec car class.

Industry News

Beef may not be ‘what’s for dinner.’ After the recent report of mad cow disease in California, combined with the bad press that is already looming over the beef industry from pink slime, chicken might be making a resurgence on the foodservice scene, according to latest research from Mintel. 

Industry News

Ferrero, the maker of America’s number one selling branded hazelnut spread, Nutella, announces that the spread is now available in foodservice, helping chefs and operators highlight a beloved and delicious ingredient on breakfast and brunch menus. Featuring the simple tastes of roasted hazelnuts, skim milk, and a hint of...

Industry News

Krispy Kreme adds some zest to its Fruit Stand Flavor summer treats with a new lemon and lime duo of doughnuts, including new Key Lime Kreme pie, and three new fruity blended beverages. The new Glazed Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Key Lime Kreme Pie doughnuts are available through July 8 at participating Krispy Kreme U.S....

Industry News

Orange County, California, Wingstop owner Danny Sonenshine was recently named to OC METRO magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 List. Each year, OC METRO magazine, Orange County’s premier business and lifestyle publication, selects a group of young professionals who have proven that they have what it takes to make...

Industry News

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes this summer’s crop of seasonal limited-time offers from quick-serve and fast-casual chains. From retro ice cream flavors to salad-sandwich combinations, brands are looking to attract customers with innovation this summer while hearkening back to tried-and-true favorites.

Industry News

Taco Bell’s food innovation experts are at it again. This time, they’ve found a way to put nachos into a burrito. On May 23, Taco Bell will launch the Beefy Nacho Burrito for 99¢, featuring seasoned beef, warm nacho cheese, cool sour cream, and Taco Bell’s new Queso Strips, all wrapped in a warm flour...

Industry News

Great American Cookies , the national cookie bakery, will roll out its first cookie truck this week in Houston, Texas. The brand, which is is managed by GFG Management, LLC , a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, is seeking to capitalize on the food truck trend as a non-traditional form of franchising.

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...

Secure quick serve restaurants improve sales and have high return on investment.
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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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