Minimum wage: how restaurants are responding to the 'inevitable'

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Many restaurant operators believe a minimum wage increase is inevitable, and they are responding in a variety of ways.

7 tips for getting Millennials to stay in love with your brand

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

How do brands keep once-smitten customers from getting bored and breaking up?

How a hotel became a hot fast casual concept

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Marriott transformed its Courtyard food and beverage offerings away from the traditional buffet into a new fast casual format, resulting in a 27-percent jump…

Technology, desire to connect with customer drives Buffalo Wild Wings' success

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Based on customer research and feedback, Buffalo Wild Wings invested significantly in defining, delivering and enhancing its brand experience using technology.

Startup aims to help restaurants clear hyperlocal produce hurdles

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

OtherShip Foods offers 10- and 20-foot containers that use hydroponics technology to grow produce on site.

'Hidden compliance cost:' Restaurants with 50+ full-time employees must start ACA reporting in 2015

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Though not mandated to offer health care coverage to employees until 2016, restaurants with 50 or more full-time employees are still required to track data…

Customization, versatility driving the Asian food segment

Highly versatile and easily customizable, the Asian food segment is a perfect segue for East-meets-West flavor mashups that consumers of all ages will love.

COO: Newk's riding high on 'second wave' of fast casual

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Jim Greco, newly-appointed COO of Newk’s Franchise Company, sees an opportunity for the chain to supplant early leaders like Panera thanks to culinary-driven…

Four ways the game has changed for restaurant brands

Nimbleness, dynamic customer relationships, customization and millennial insights are all key to brand success, says FOCUS Brands CEO Steve DeSutter.

5 tips to promote upcoming events at your restaurant

Work with local businesses and non-profits to promote your restaurant’s event, tie them to your event theme and encourage a co-sponsorship.

What do restaurant operators need to know about Ebola?

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Ebola has grabbed the headlines, but operators need to be prepared for more mundane risks, like influenza and norovirus.

Leveraging mobile payments and customer experience

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

How does mobile technology fit into the overall customer experience when consumers interact with their favorite brands?

Four reasons digital screens are more than menu boards

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Engaging digital signage can be a key differentiator in the customer experience by educating guests about menu items, driving craving, reducing perceived wait…

Restaurants beefing up offerings despite rising protein costs

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Operators are so undeterred by rising protein costs that menu mentions of protein across the board have risen 67 percent in the last five years.

Who's the boss? Tips for avoiding joint employer liability

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Franchisors must clearly define their roles to exclude control over the terms and/or conditions of franchisee's employees.

Will the shift from credit cards to mobile payments be good, bad, or neutral?

Will the shift from credit cards to mobile payments be good, bad, or neutral for the restaurant industry?

Prognostication: 2015 menu trends

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Beverages, micro-local, crowdsourcing and increased competition from nontraditional foodservice outlets are all expected to shape the restaurant landscape in…

Winget: 'Being passionate is a total load of crap'

by Alicia Kelso — senior editor, QSRweb.com

Success is much simpler than we make it out to be, says bestselling author Larry Winget. Success boils down to hard work and excellence.

Want to influence customers? Listen up, say marketing experts

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Listening to customers can yield key insights into what customers like, what they don't like, what's working and what's not. Those insights yield actionable…

Big brands capture big social media share, but smaller brands get the love

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

It's no surprise that Chipotle grabs the lions' share of social media attention among top fast casual brands, but smaller, regional eateries inspire the most…