May 18, 2013

Women in Foodservice

Industry News
Krystal Flies South

Brand heritage is important, but Krystal president and CEO Doug Pendergast was thinking about practicality when he decided earlier this month to move the hamburger chain’s headquarters from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Atlanta. The move, which is scheduled to take place by early 2013, is part of a strategy to redefine the Krystal...

Read Full Story // read more about: Krystal, Burgers, Human Resources
Industry News
Submit Your Info for the 2013 Global 30!

In February 2012, QSR debuted a new industry study called the Global 30 . The report offered a guide to expansion for domestic companies looking to grow outside U.S. borders, and also provided a directory of the world’s strongest brands for potential international franchisees looking to tap into a perfected system.

Read Full Story // read more about: Growth
Menu Innovations
Winging It

It would seem strange these days to attend a Super Bowl party that didn’t have chicken wings available on the snack line. Wings are America’s “party food,” showing up at all manner of celebrations, from tailgating to graduation parties. But now that party is extending to the quick-serve industry, with wings...

Read Full Story // read more about: Checkers, Rally's, Wing Zone, Wingstop, Menu Development, Competition, Consumer Trends
Emerging Concepts
One to Watch: Smiling Moose Deli

Smiling Moose Deli’s average unit volume is up almost 40 percent this year, and for that, president and founder Kevin Sloane has women to thank. “When we first started, all we had were hearty New York–style sub sandwiches,” he says. “Now we do a custom chopped salad bar where guests can pick all of their...

Read Full Story // read more about: Smiling Moose Deli, Marketing, Sandwiches, Menu Innovations, Franchising, Growth
Industry News
No Fan of Soda Ban

New York City has been a trendsetter in health regulations the last few years, from its ban on trans fats to its restrictions on sodium. But many in the foodservice industry are hoping that the sugary beverage ban scheduled to take effect in March remains a New York specialty only.

Read Full Story // read more about: Auntie Anne's, Healthy Menus, Legal, Consumer Trends
Executive Insights
The Fight for America

With gloves off and the days ticking down to November 6, the two contenders for the most powerful position in the world—reigning President Barack Obama in one corner and challenger Mitt Romney in the other—are prepped and ready to compete in the battle of a lifetime.

Read Full Story // read more about: White Castle, Legal
Industry News
The Profit is Right

The economy may still be sputtering, but the Franchise Business Review’s (FBR) 2012 annual report, “Top 40 Food Franchises,” found that profitability is up for many foodservice brands. Average franchisee profitability at the top 40 food brands increased 5.8 percent year-over-year in the last 18 months, according to the...

Read Full Story // read more about: Franchising, Growth
McDonald's Lists Calorie Counts

In this newscast: Red Robin debuts Oktoberfest milkshakes, McDonald's post calorie counts on U.S. menuboards, Domino's introduces Handmade Pan Pizzas, and more.

Industry News
NRAEF Hands Out Restaurant Neighbor Awards

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) honored its 2013 Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity American Dream award winners at an April 17 gala during the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Foundation...

Read Full Story // read more about: Arby's, Charitable Giving
Industry News
DOLE Announces Winners of Fruit Flash Mob

Dole Packaged Foods is pleased to announce the grand-prize winner of the second annual DOLE Fruit Flash Mob contest is Indian River High School (Chesapeake, Virginia).

Last fall (August 30–December 31, 2012), Dole challenged schools nationwide to create videos that promote healthy...

Read Full Story // read more about: Healthy Menus, Marketing
Industry News
Jack in the Box Donates $325K to Big Brothers Big Sisters

The Jack in the Box Foundation announced a $325,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, its primary charitable partner since 1998.

Monies for the donation were raised during the 23rd annual Jack in the Box Charity Golf Tournament, which was held April 26 in Indian Wells, California.

Read Full Story // read more about: Jack in the Box, Charitable Giving
Industry News
Kellogg's Wins Outstanding Website Award

Kellogg’s and KelloggsFoodAwayFromHome.com have been awarded the Outstanding Website Award by the Web Marketing Association during the Association’s 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition Awards (IAC).

The website, KelloggsFoodAwayFromHome.com, was launched in...

Read Full Story // read more about: Marketing
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
Perkins Puts On a New Face with Remodeled Restaurants

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery announced a remodeling initiative that will be seeded in more than 20 corporate locations during the first half of 2013, with franchise restaurants to follow shortly thereafter. 

The culmination of extensive research conducted across the country,...

Read Full Story // read more about: Perkins, Design
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
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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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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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.
Back of House
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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Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey is innovativing the POS space with Square.
Point Of Sale
Can Square Change POS Forever?

Jack Dorsey, who cofounded Twitter and Square, was raised by parents in the quick-service industry. His father owned a pizza restaurant, and his mother ran a coffee shop.

It’s little surprise, then, that Dorsey’s latest initiative with Square is to broaden its use within quick...

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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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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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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