Fueled by solid same-store sales and traffic results and a bullish outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose sharply in December. The RPI–a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry–stood at 102.2 in December, up 1.6 percent from November and its […]
Most consumers would agree that their morning doesn’t officially start until they’ve enjoyed their first cup of joe—whether they brew at home, at work, or stop at their favorite coffeehouse. While instant, ground, and whole bean coffee are the most popular choices for the at home barista, single-cup coffee still has an audience, as recent […]
The National Restaurant Association estimates 48 million Americans will order takeout or delivery food from a restaurant while watching the professional football championship game on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5. In addition, 12 million are expected to visit a restaurant or bar to watch the big game. New National Restaurant Association research also shows that salsa/dips/spreads, chicken wings, […]
After years of research and concept development, AdvancePierre Foods is launching its Fast Fixin' Sandwich Bar program. This new initiative enables convenience stores to take their foodservice offerings to the next level with hot, fresh, customizable sandwiches in a self-serve format. Utilizing patent-pending products and equipment, consumers can create their own sandwiches by choosing from […]
Guests will soon know the answer to the question “What’s in Your Box?” when San Francisco’s FK Restaurants & Hospitality debuts its innovative Asian Box concept in Palo Alto, California, in February 2012. Inspired by Asian street food carts, Asian Box will showcase traditional cooking methods and recipes made with fresh and local ingredients. Under […]
Beautiful Brands International today announced an agreement with multi-unit developers, Brad and Francy Bauer, to open 20 new Smallcakes A Cupcakery stores in North Carolina. The first store from the agreement is slated to open spring 2012 in Wilmington, N.C. “I can’t tell you what a great moment this is for Smallcakes and our growth […]
This year the National Chicken Council projects more than 1.25 billion wings–or 100 million pounds–will be consumed during Super Bowl weekend. And on Sunday, Feb. 5, more than 6,500 Wing Experts nationwide will join forces behind the counter at 500 Wingstop restaurants to sauce and toss 5.6 million wings. Since Wingstop was founded almost 20 […]
Taco Bell today introduced FirstMeal, a new breakfast menu that offers 11 menu items in 10 Western states, including California, Arizona, and Colorado. Featuring some of America’s favorite breakfast brands such as Johnsonville, Cinnabon, Tropicana, and Seattle’s Best Coffee, individual items will range from 99 cents (sausage or bacon and egg burrito) to $2.79 (Grande […]
America’s casual diners like their burgers and pizzas prepared traditionally and are less likely to order ethnic variations, according to a Culinary Visions Panel study done by Chicago-based Olson Communications. High percentages of respondents said they’d order traditional burgers and pizzas at their favorite casual dining restaurants, while far fewer said they’d order those dishes […]
As the temperatures drop, the popularity of iced coffee is heating up. According to an independent survey commissioned by Dunkin' Donuts, an overwhelming majority (84%) of iced coffee drinkers claim they are drinking more iced coffee this winter compared to last winter. And, people are turning to ice for more than just a boost to […]
The Counter Custom Built Burgers, the popular build-your-own-burger restaurant that offers more than 300,000 possible combinations, and Americana Group, the Middle East’s leading restaurant, food product distributor, and retail company, announced today a development agreement. The agreement calls to open and operate 33 new locations of The Counter in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, […]
Eating out is becoming a treat reserved for special occasions with consumers demonstrating increasing caution with their discretionary spend as economic uncertainty persists. Some 33% of respondents to a new Horizons’ QuickBite survey on eating out cited a special occasion as their reason for eating out in the previous two weeks, including Christmas, up […]
Add increased selection and tasty preparations to the good nutrition and overall wholesomeness long associated with vegetables, and you have a food group that's claiming an ever bigger portion of the dinner plate. Farmers are growing new, colorful varieties, creative chefs are whipping up flavorful vegetable dishes in restaurants and prepared food counters, and glossy […]
Caribou Coffee today announced the launch of two new coffees, carefully crafted to bring coffee drinkers the broadest spectrum of flavors available to match their personal tastes. Starlight and Eclipse round out Caribou's full lineup of flavor profiles, and are the first permanent additions to its retail coffeehouse portfolio since the launch of Lakeshore and […]
The National Restaurant Association expressed appreciation for President Barack Obama's visit today to member company Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and pledge of support for the U.S. travel and tourism industry, which is of critical importance to the growth and success of the restaurant industry. While in Orlando, the President also announced new members […]
Pressure to improve the healthfulness of kids meals and restaurant fare in general along with the influence of the growing Asian, Hispanic, Boomer, and Millennial population groups are among the factors that will shape the restaurant industry in 2012 and beyond, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. Overall, NPD’s foodservice market […]
YouGov’s BrandIndex looked back at 2011 to determine which U.S. brands had the greatest buzz. Not only was Subway the 2011 Buzz leader amongst quick-serves, but Subway also had the No. 1 Buzz score amongst the entire BrandIndex universe. Two of the top 5 quick-serve brands, meanwhile, were pizza brands, with Papa John’s at No. […]
To jumpstart the New Year, Genghis Grill is getting ready to launch its healthy-influenced campaign, Health Kwest, on Feb. 1, 2012, which will last for 60 days. Last year's khantestants lost a total of 1,087 pounds. Health Kwest winner, Brandon Sanders from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, lost 60 pounds in 90 days by adopting Genghis Grill's healthier […]
As the fro-yo category grows increasingly competitive and repetitive, many have attempted to lay claim to the healthy leader position, but no one comes close to Super Fro-Yo launched by TCBY less than a year ago. Today, TCBY announces the next evolution of soft serve frozen yogurt, by being the first to market Greek Fro-Yo, […]
Just in time for the New Year, Pollo Tropical is announcing the release of the 2012 version of its 21 Days to a New You Meal Plan. The plan provides three weeks of healthful eating out options, plus easy-to-prepare breakfast and snack options. Each daily meal plan includes lunch and dinner options for both meals […]
The Dog House Diner, located outside of the Encinitas Home Depot, has quickly gained a reputation as the source in San Diego for authentic regional hot dogs and sandwiches. Sandy Cherman bought the former hot dog vendor out and transformed it from a basic hot dog stand into a hot dog nirvana that also has […]
Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, today introduced its first new flavor of the year and the latest addition to the BRight Choices line, Berry Nut Honey Frozen Yogurt. This honey and vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt with a triple berry ribbon and sweet honey oat almond pieces is the perfect flavor to […]
Steak 'n Shake, the restaurant industry's longest established brand in the premium burger and milkshake segment, announced it will not raise its menu prices in 2012. To celebrate its devotion to providing honest and high value to its loyal consumers, anyone who purchases a sandwich with fries may order a free legendary Orange Freeze, beginning […]
Driven by positive same-store sales and an increasingly optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest level in five months. The RPI, a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry, stood at 100.6 in November, up 0.6 percent […]
The Pollo Tropical TropiChop, which has been a menu favorite for nearly 15 years, is being redesigned so customers can create their own with an expanded line of rice and other base options, expanded toppings, and even new sauces from the salsa bar. In addition to more choices, guests will also receive more chicken, as […]
As the New Year approaches, many Americans will make resolutions, often involving diets and healthy eating. Technomic has found that an increasing number of restaurants are able to meet these consumers' needs by creating dishes that are low in fat, calories, and sugar, and by proudly describing these healthful properties. In fact, use of the […]
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