May 22, 2013

Women in Foodservice

Industry News
Seafood Concept or Not, Brands Gear Up for Lenten Season

The Super Bowl hype may have fizzled weeks ago, but for seafood companies, their Super Bowl season is just beginning, thanks to the start of the Lenten season. With many customers abstaining from meat consumption, Lent can be a true goldmine for seafood brands and other chains that introduce seafood-focused LTOs and menu. At Captain...

Read Full Story // read more about: Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, Captain D's, Huddle House, Marketing, Menu Development, Promotions
Industry News
The Roster Is In: McDonald's Announces All-Americans

The McDonald’s All American Games unveiled the official rosters for the 36th Annual McDonald’s All American Boys Game and 12th Annual Girls Game during today’s Selection Show on ESPNU. The annual high school all-star event will again be played at Chicago’s United Center on April 3.

Read Full Story // read more about: McDonald's, Burgers, Promotions, Health
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
Togo's Hopes to Take Arizona By Storm

Togo’s, a “West Coast Original” since 1971 serving up big, made-to-order sandwiches stuffed with fresh ingredients, announced it is accelerating its growth plans for Arizona.

The San Jose, California–based sandwich chain aims to develop an additional 25 new...

Read Full Story // read more about: Togo's, Sandwiches, Franchising, 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
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
Bojangles' Plays Teacher's Pet For Teacher Appreciation Month

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined South Carolina Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, South Carolina Future Minds, founding sponsor Bojangles’ and other supporters of public education to officially declare May as Teacher Appreciation Month in South Carolina.  

To...

Read Full Story // read more about: Bojangles', Charitable Giving, Promotions
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
Destroyed Freddy's Gets Back on Its Feet in Joplin, MO

Nearly two years after a devastating F5 tornado ravaged Freddy’s, the restaurant is returning to Joplin, Missouri.

The new, freestanding location is about one mile south of the former site. The official grand opening is Sunday, May 5, and the crew has been training for the past...

Read Full Story // read more about: Freddy's, Burgers, 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
3 Sustainable Seafood LTOs Join Rubio's Menu

As part of its continued efforts to offer guests high-quality coastal cuisine, Rubio’s Restaurants is introducing three new chef-crafted sustainable seafood items to its menu for a limited time. Today, Rubio’s fans and friends are invited to stop in and try the new Grilled...

Read Full Story // read more about: Rubio's, Menu Development, Sustainability, Fast Casual, Ingredients & Dayparts
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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Fast casual brands attract customers with alcoholic beverage programs
Beverage
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...

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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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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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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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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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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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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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