May 20, 2013
Franchising

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. Blackburn now owns and operates 23...

Industry News

Quiznos has introduced a new sub, Chicken Fajita, for a limited time only, inspired by regional Mexican and Latin American flavors that are among the top flavor trends for 2013, according to Mintel. The subs includes oven-roasted, all-white-meat chicken breast; fresh-sliced, tri-color bell peppers; Cheddar cheese; and a new Fajita Lime...

Industry News

John Galardi, 75, founder and chairman of Galardi Group, parent company of Wienerschnitzel, The Original Hamburger Stand, and Tastee Freez, passed away of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, April 13. Galardi began as an eager entrepreneur determined to make it in the world of fast food. Over the past 52 years, Galardi has guided...

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Industry News

The new food processor from Robot Coupe, the R402 Combination Food Processor, will prepare 800 vegetable servings in 2.5 hours. Operators can count on getting precise cuts each and every time in just a matter of seconds. With 21 different processing discs available, including dice and french fry cuts, it performs a multitude of tasks...

Industry News

Veteran restaurant marketing executive Michael Branigan has joined artisan frozen treat chain Bruster's Real Ice Cream as vice president of marketing and product innovation. Founded in 1989, Bruster's has more than 200 locations in 18 states, serving ice cream, waffle cones, shakes, cakes, and pies that are made fresh on site...

Industry News

When the menu-labeling mandate, which requires calorie counts be posted on menuboards at chains with more than 20 units, passed with health-care reform in 2010, it was praised as a big step toward educating consumers on nutrition. The pizza industry, however, is still fighting back against what it sees as an unfair mandate that will be...

Industry News

EVOS, a fast-casual restaurant offering healthier all-American favorites with an earth-friendly attitude and “greater good” conscience, is celebrating Earth Day, Monday, April 22, with free organic milkshakes, no purchase necessary. This offer demonstrates just one of many ways EVOS supports local and organic farmers. Since...

Read Full Story // read more about: EVOS, Desserts, Green, Promotions
Industry News

Frozen-yogurt brand 16 Handles announced the release of its newest flavor: Tiramisu. Tiramisu pairs the rich flavor of espresso-soaked ladyfinger cookies with hits of vanilla and cinnamon. The new flavor pairs well with a variety of 16 Handles’ toppings, including graham cracker crumbs, bananas, and caramel or chocolate sauce. ...

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...

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...

Burger King's new coffee beverages position the brand to compete with McDonalds.
Coffee is King

Forget quick-serve mainstays like burgers and fries. These days, limited-service brands are looking to coffee to beef up business, and Burger King is the latest chain to get in on the action.

Burger King’s customers can now enjoy 10 new specialty drinks, including iced coffees in a...

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...

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...

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...