May 19, 2013

Women in Foodservice

Industry News
Taco Bell to Launch Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos

When Taco Bell launched Doritos Locos Tacos in 2012, it quickly became the company’s most successful product launch ever, selling more than 350 million in less than a year. While Taco Bell lovers couldn’t get enough of the Doritos Nacho Cheese taco shell combined with the company’s classic crunchy taco ingredients, it...

Read Full Story // read more about: Taco Bell, Menu Development, In the Store, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations
Industry News
Pizza Brands Turn Valentine's Day Into a Family Celebration

Forget chocolate and roses: This year, lovebirds are celebrating with pizza—or that’s what several pizza brands are banking on. And instead of making it a couple-centric dining opportunity, chains like Papa Murphy’s are trying to transform Valentine’s Day into a family-friendly occasion.

Read Full Story // read more about: Papa Murphy's, zpizza, Pizza, Consumer Trends, Menu Innovations, Promotions
Industry News
Back Yard Burgers Reels in its First Fish Sandwich

Just in time for the Lenten season, Back Yard Burgers is adding a meat-free option for its guests, the Bold and Crunchy Fish Sandwich, available through March 31, 2013, at all of Back Yard Burgers’ 83 locations. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Back Yard Burgers, Menu Development, Food & Beverage, Menu Innovations
Industry News
Clearing The Air

A recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the food and hospitality industry is the second-highest occupation group in the U.S. hampered by smoking. But Joe Bastianich, renowned restaurateur and judge on FOX’s hit show “Master Chef,” has made it his mission to help foodservice...

Read Full Story // read more about: Jason's Deli, Training, Health, Human Resources
Industry News
Beef Checkoff Recognizes Operators for Beef Excellence

The 2012 National Foodservice Beef Backer Award winners were unveiled at the 2013 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida. Each year, the Beef Checkoff Program recognizes three foodservice establishments for their efforts in menuing and marketing beef. The 2012 national winners include Webster’s Prime in the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Menu Innovations
Industry News
California Tortilla Shows "S'more Love" with Free Dessert

This Valentine's Day, California Tortilla invites guests to indulge in the S'more Love dessert, available Thursday, February 14, for one day only. The dessert is offered for free with every entree purchase. Stuffed with banana, milk chocolate, and marshmallows, then deep-fried in a Peruvian chocolate tortilla and sprinkled with...

Read Full Story // read more about: California Tortilla, Desserts, Social Media, Promotions
Industry News
ET75 Tunnel Washer Cuts Down Contaminants

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was created to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply. This act shifts industry focus from responding to contamination, to preventing it, thus making food processors take a more proactive approach to eliminating and preventing food-borne contaminants from entering their plants. Under FSMA,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Equipment
Industry News
BK Perks Up Coffee Offerings with 10 New Items

Burger King Worldwide revealed its refreshed coffee platform available in restaurants nationwide, blended by Seattle’s Best Coffee. Introducing a new, 100 percent Latin American Arabicabean custom blend crafted with BK guests in mind, consumers can opt for hot or iced coffee in a variety of flavors like vanilla, mocha, and...

Read Full Story // read more about: Burger King, Beverage, Breakfast, Menu Development
Industry News
Great American Cookies Tips Off at Philips Arena

Global Franchise Group, a strategic brand management company, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

A co-branded store featuring Pretzelmaker and Great American Cookies will be open to guests during all ticketed events held at...

Read Full Story // read more about: Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, Desserts, Growth
Industry News
Salsarita's Signs on for 3 in KY; Acquires 5 in NC

Salsarita’s, the Fresh Mexican Cantina with locations across the country, has announced a development agreement that will bring three new restaurants to Lexington, Kentucky, by the end of 2016 as it expands nationally through franchising.

Long-time local residents Bill and Holli...

Read Full Story // read more about: Salsarita's, Franchising, Growth, Fast Casual
Industry News
Natural Low/No-Calorie Sweeteners Use Increases

The arrival of natural low/no-calorie sweeteners has met an eager audience. Use of these products has doubled in the past six years as consumers have become more familiar with them.   

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus, Food & Beverage, Health
Industry News
Huddle House Offers $25K to Operators Who Remodel

Huddle House is offering a $25,000 financial incentive to the first 100 franchisees who commit to a remodel by July 31, 2014.

Franchisees would use $20,000 of the incentive to offset the costs of the remodel, with the remaining $5,000 to be used for local marketing efforts.

Should...

Read Full Story // read more about: Huddle House, Design, Finance, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
Capriotti's Stays Up Late at Newest Arizona Unit

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop has announced its newest restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, which will stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends for late night Caps cravings.

The Scottsdale restaurant will offer another spot for Capriotti’s fans to enjoy the award-winning subs. To...

Read Full Story // read more about: Capriotti's, Sandwiches, Growth
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
Marketing Experts Gather for NRA Show Panel

Duke Marketing, a full-service marketing communications firm specializing in multiunit restaurants, retail, and foodservice operations, announced chief executive Linda Duke will moderate a panel of three Marketing Executive Group (MEG) board members at the upcoming National Restaurant...

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Industry News
Sonic Bolsters Franchise Team with New Hires

Sonic announced the expansion of its franchise development team with two additions to its management team: Bob Franke, senior vice president of franchise sales and international development, and Thomas Kessler, senior director of franchise sales. The move reinforces Sonic’s commitment to...

Read Full Story // read more about: Sonic, Burgers, Franchising, Human Resources
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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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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Secure quick serve restaurants improve sales and have high return on investment.
Back of House
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...

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

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

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Industry News
Fazoli's Cathy Hull Recognized as Top Marketing Exec in 2012

Cathy Hull, Fazoli’s chief marketing officer, has been selected by the ranking committee of ExecRank as a “Top Private Company Marketing Executive” for 2012.

The rankings are the result of two years of research and feedback from evaluation committees and top chief marketing officers that yielded an algorithm for how to rank marketing executives based on their performance in 24 key areas.

Read Full Story // read more about: Fazoli's, Marketing, Menu Development, Women in Foodservice, Outside Insights
Industry News
Katherine Schieffelin Joins NRAEF as SVP

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced that Katherine Speyer Schieffelin has joined the foundation as senior vice president and chief development officer.

Schieffelin brings more than a decade of experience in management, fundraising, and campaign planning to the NRAEF and will aid in the foundation’s mission to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and the promotion of career opportunities. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Operations, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Industry Recruiting Co. Earns WBENC Accreditation

Patrice Rice, CEO and founder of Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting—which helps thousands of managerial candidates find rewarding jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry—announced that Patrice & Associates has earned accreditation from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Read Full Story // read more about: Women in Foodservice, Human Resources
Industry News
Maui Wowi Franchisee Raises $1,200 for Make-A-Wish

An Illinois franchisee of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies recently donated more than $1200 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as part of the Ultimate Gymnastics Tournament that was held November 30–December 2, 2012 at Harper College.

The 13th-annual Ultimate Wish Classic has raised more than $400,000 for the charitable foundation.

Read Full Story // read more about: Maui Wowi, Beverage, Charitable Giving, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Maui Wowi Surfs into Southern California

Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a tropical island-themed franchise concept serving fresh Hawaiian-grown coffee and all-natural smoothies, embodies the Aloha spirit and laidback lifestyle that its newest franchise operator has lived and breathed all her life.

Maui Wowi welcomes Pa 'Akai Ventures, operated by Jenna Roberts, to join the company's growing West Coast presence as a new franchisee in El Cajon, California, near San Diego.

Read Full Story // read more about: Maui Wowi, Beverage, Women in Foodservice, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
NRA President Recognized for Healthy-Living Initiatives

National Restaurant Association (NRA) president and CEO Dawn Sweeney has been recognized by the Campaign to End Obesity for her work in helping inspire and guide the foodservice industry’s nutrition initiatives.

Sweeney, in recognition of her efforts, received the award at a December 6 awards gala at Discovery Channel Worldwide headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. 

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus, Women in Foodservice
Industry News
Barberitos Makes its Way to Cary, North Carolina

Barberitos Franchising Inc. announces the opening of its 31st restaurant location in Cary, North Carolina. The new store will open in February 2013.

Read Full Story // read more about: Barberitos, Operations, Women in Foodservice, Franchising, Growth, Expansion
Industry News
Fish Consulting Expands its Team, Promotes Senior Leaders

Fish Consulting, a full-service national communications firm specializing in franchise marketing and public relations, announces it has promoted several senior leaders and added two new employees.

Read Full Story // read more about: Fish Consulting LLC, Marketing, Women in Foodservice, Human Resources