Food News Media, publisher of QSR magazine and the newly introduced FSR magazine, which covers the full-service restaurant sector, will roll out its “Year of Women in Foodservice” initiative across both brands in 2013. Ellen Koteff, special projects editor of Food News Media, will serve as ambassador for this program.
The new platform will feature women in all aspects of foodservice: executive ranks, middle management, owner/operators, franchisees, and front and back of the house, as well as from the supplier community.
“Women have been making major contributions to the restaurant industry ever since it began and today own 50 percent of all the eateries in the U.S., a 28 percent increase over the last five years,” Koteff says.
“We want to tell their foodservice stories in an unprecedented way. We look forward to celebrating their successes, as well as reporting on their frustrations and challenges.”
In 2013, issues of both publications will bring readers a snapshot of what trends are affecting women, as well as offer insight from females who are working on the front lines in the restaurant industry.
Women in foodservice have certainly been making cracks in the glass ceiling. Sally Smith of Buffalo Wild Wings, Linda Lang of Jack in the Box, Julia Stewart of DineEquity, Dawn Sweeney of the National Restaurant Association, and Cheryl Bachelder of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen have all made it to the top echelon of the foodservice hierarchy, even though men still hold the majority of leadership roles in the industry.
“These women serve as role models to the millions of women in the industry who are just starting their foodservice careers,” Koteff says. “We are hoping that our extensive coverage of the female factor will inspire millions of women as they navigate their foodservice journeys.”
In 2012, Food News Media brought QSR readers monthly reports about “Healthy and Active Lifestyles” in order to promote a dialogue about a topic that is critical to not only the health and well-being of the industry, but also to the American public at large. As the calendar reflects a new year, QSR and FSR will turn their attention to the “Year of Women in Foodservice” in an effort to promote dialogue on this new, but equally important, topic.
Food News Media offers a full suite of media products to help operators and marketers connect with the entire $600 billion-plus U.S. restaurant industry. For more than two decades, the Chapel Hill, North Carolina–based publishing company has built a reputation for thought leadership and reporting on trends in dining for the American consumer.
