Top Restaurant Operations News

Back in March 2008, Boloco, a chain of burrito restaurants, became the first fast-casual chain in New England to become a Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA). But when Boloco found out an even higher level of certification could be achieved, the company decided to reach for the stars. Boloco is now […]

Non-profit organization Global Green USA announced that it is seeking quick-serve restaurants in New York City to participate in a sustainable packaging recycling program. The pilot program, which is slated to run for a year and launch in late 2011, is aiming to secure 150 quick-serve stores and test the viability of recycling paper foodservice […]

Yogurtland, the nation’s fastest growing frozen yogurt brand, has joined forces with global lifestyle brand, Sanrio, Inc. Since its inception more than 50 years ago, Sanrio has grown into a $5 billion global brand best known for icon Hello Kitty. Now, in partnership with Yogurtland, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Keroppi, and Chococat merchandise will be available at participating Yogurtland locations beginning […]

In the calculated game of frozen yogurt sales, Menchie’s latest move may be the checkmate, says CEO Amit Kleinberger. “Today’s guest really expects to have a multidimensional experience that involves not only the food, but the environment and experience as well,” Kleinberger says. To that effect, the frozen yogurt brand overhauled its business strategy with […]

Delphi Display Systems Inc., a provider of quick-service restaurant drive-thru order confirmation display technology, today announced it has acquired the assets of Fire and Safety Electronics Inc. (dba Phase Research), the supplier of Fast Track 2+2 drive-thru timing systems. The transaction was finalized on July 1. Delphi Display Systems was founded in 1995 and has […]

Friday marks the deadline for California restaurant workers to comply with the California Food Handler Card law that was enacted in January to improve food safety. The law requires all of California’s 900,000-plus foodservice workers to receive food safety training and obtain a California Food Handler Card. The training can be acquired through the National […]

Tomorrow’s payment options may bear little resemblance to those in use today. Consider the popularity of the Starbucks Card Mobile application, which the coffee company announced was downloaded more than 3 million times in its first three months. “Our hope was that customers would take to it quickly,” says Brady Brewer, vice president of brand […]

DTT Surveillance and Potbelly Sandwich Works signed an agreement that names DTT as the preferred surveillance vendor for the Potbelly concept.  Potbelly currently operates 200 stores throughout various cities across the U.S.and continues to expand into new regional markets. DTT’s high-quality video surveillance technology and auditing services will provide these owners with actionable operational information […]

DTT Surveillance and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels established a partnership nearly three years ago, and today, the relationship continues to expand. As the preferred surveillance vendor for Auntie Anne’s, DTT is quickly rolling out systems in franchise locations all across the country. “The continuing adoption of DTT throughout the entire franchise community has demonstrated the true […]

With Memorial Day around the corner and the nation’s attention turned to the men and women who have served the country, one franchisee says military veterans like himself should be top of mind for franchisors as potential franchisees. Derek Henze, a Minneapolis-based Toppers Pizza franchisee who served in Iraq, says his eight years of experience […]

During Bojangles’ recent leadership conference, several of the company’s heroes—the team members who provide customers with great service and tasty, top-quality chicken, biscuits, and fixin’s each day—were recognized for their achievements.     Top awards went to Jayesh Patel, Unit Director of the Year, and Janet Lynch, Area Director of the Year. Patel, who oversees […]

Walls + Forms Inc. was recently awarded a grand prize in the store fixture category by the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.). The award was for the Walls + Forms store fixtures installed at The Exchange at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Exchange at Tinker Air Force Base has offered retail […]

After undergoing a meticulous evaluation process based on customer satisfaction, food quality, and overall experience, unit director Greg Nicholson and his Bojangles’ restaurant, located at 1718 West Main St. in Locust, North Carolina, have won first place in Bojangles’ coveted ShowBo awards, earning Nicholson a $10,000 cash prize. Second and third place unit directors and […]

After a year of research and reorganization, Spicy Pickle Franchising is set to unveil a new look and feel for its Spicy Pickle Sandwich Company brand. A new image, new store design and revamped menu will be launched in May at the Spicy Pickle in River Oaks, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The re-launch comes as […]

Pfingsten Partners L.L.C. announced that Corporate Safe Specialists Inc. (“Corporate Safe”), a Posen, Illinois–based provider of cash management productsand services, including traditional safes, intelligent safes, and services, has merged with its portfolio company, FKI Security Group L.L.C. (“Fire King”).  “The merger with Corporate Safe expands both company’s capabilities on a global scale,” says Philip Bradney, […]

Sarku Japan is taking its Teriyaki and made-to-order sushi from mall food courts to the streets of Northridge, California, with the opening of a new storefront Teriyaki and Sushi Express concept. Located at 8491C Tampa Avenue, the store touts the brand promise “Fresh Happens Here.” Sarku chefs prepare made-to-order sushi and signature Teriyaki recipes on […]

Toppers Pizza announced that, as a means to accelerate growth, the company will start focusing on employing multiunit franchisees with diverse portfolios instead of single-unit operators. The 28-unit, Whitewater, Wisconsin–based brand is aiming to have 100 units open and operating by 2013, says director of marketing Scott Iversen. “We think it’s a nice, attractive investment […]

Saladworks announced that the guest relations website, SaladworksListens.com, has been advanced to include immediate customer feedback. The Saladworks guest relations team will respond to every customer submission in real time, including nights and weekends. SaladworksListens.com welcomes all customer submissions by location. Each franchisee’s picture is displayed on the website as well as in their location to […]

A two-question character assessment tool available for quick-serve operators can, according to the tool’s creators, help them make better hiring decisions, thus reducing the time, hassle, and costs usually associated with adding a new crewmember. The Predictive Index (PI), a tool employed by international management consulting company PI Worldwide, helps operators gauge the personalities of […]

The restaurant industry is not only an important source of jobs and careers, it is vitally important to the success of many other industries in the economy. As McDonald’s celebrates its National Hiring Day by adding up to 50,000 individuals to its roster, the National Restaurant Association has compiled a report of its research on […]

  Envysion, the leading Managed Video as a Service (MVaaS) provider, announced that By the Rockies has selected Envysion as its exclusive video provider and is deploying the company’s Envysion Insight solution. By the Rockies, the second largest franchisee of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s with 100 locations, will use Envysion’s managed video to drive loss prevention […]

WyckWyre, a Web-based recruiting solution, launched its website in 2010 and provides a tool that shortens the outdated and time-consuming process of finding a qualified employee. The cost-effective system takes hiring to a new level, saving the employer time and money by eliminating unqualified applicants and allowing them to focus on applicants who are qualified […]