Commentary: Restaurant operators can help a fallen soldier's family

  Free food means a lot to the bereaved and to your brand.

Airport security measures hardly impact store sales

  Panda Express and Starbucks do not anticipate major bumps. But some experts say it's too early to judge.  

Fast casuals draw customers with e-mail marketing

Viral marketing campaigns are cost effective and fast-casual customer focused.

Prime time for online ordering in fast casual

Tossed and Camille's are among those generating sales via Web-based ordering.

Food-poisoning preparation pays off

If one of your customers becomes ill are you prepared for the crisis?  

Fast-casual restaurants increase check averages with desserts

Chocolate-chip cookies, ice cream and brownies may not be headline menu items, but they boost profits.  

Zoup! Is du jour

Who would have thought a fast-casual soup concept would be so successful?

Defining fast casual

From décor to price points, we look at what makes this segment.

Beyond the four walls

Catering is a value-added service worth consideration.

The perfect plot of land

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

What is the best fast-casual real estate?

The Great Harvest family

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Breaking bread with genuine people.

Boston Market is changing

A few things are different for the chain that started the "home meal replacement" trend.

Fast-casual pizza operation sets lofty growth goals

RedBrick Pizza is a slick, solid fast-casual concept. But can it grow from 60 pizza restaurants to 12,000 in just 10 years?

Black Gold

Push your profits by matching your premium food with a premium coffee

The Bruegger's turnaround

The once fast-growing chain has learned slow-growth is better.

Culver's boot camp

Not just anybody can join the Culver's family.

Knowing your customer

Before you start a marketing plan, you better know your target audience. It's not that difficult to conduct a demographics study.

2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

President Bush speaks at NRA Show

President George Bush was greeted warmly when he spoke at the the National Restaurant Association Hotel & Motel Show on May 22. As expected, he touched on the…

Must-see events / products at the NRA Show

As you enter the show, aromas of mouthwatering food, sounds of equipment demonstrations and an expansive panorama of colorful exhibits envelop you.