Article

We spent February talking about these five stories

What topics generated the most heat during February's deep freeze?

March 3, 2015 by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

What topics generated the most heat during February's deep freeze? Here's a rundown:

1. Is Panera 2.0 starting to pay off?

Panera began rolling out its "Panera 2.0" initiative, a suite of technology updates aimed and improving the customer experience, in 2014. The initiative involves a significant investment in technology as well as tweaks to service. What's the thinking behind the initiative, and is it beginning to pay off for Panera? Editor Nicole Troxell sat down with Panera's Executive Vice President - Chief Transformation and Growth Officer Blaine Hurst for some background on the initiative and an update.

2. Six must-do strategies for attracting millennial diners

Millennials wield as much at $1.7 trillion in spending power, and the restaurant sector is forecast to see a 3 percent uptick in growth in the next year. How can fast casual brands grab their piece of the pie? Unique flavors, customization, thinking mobile first, up-front sustainability efforts and strong beverage options are all key.

3. Fazoli's hits refresh with menu overhaul and elevated service

Fazoli's wins with customers on its pasta dishes – outscoring casual dining chains like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill – but customers weren't so impressed with pizza, salad and sandwich offerings. So Fazoli's has overhauled its menu, revamping sandwich and salad lines and developing its own create-your-own pizza line. The new menu, and an overhauled service model that pulls managers from behind the counter to the front of the house, is currently being beta tested in the Dayton, Ohio market with promising early results.

4. Stutz ready to gear up growth for McAlister's

Carin Stutz took the helm of McAlister's Deli in November 2014. Her focus as president will be accelerating the brand's growth, improving throughput and seeing through system-wide remodeling efforts. And as one of the few women to rise to the level of CEO in the fast casual segment, she's also got an eye out for opportunities to reach out and help women see their potential as leaders in the restaurant industry.

5. RFID technology leading the way to the table

Fast casual restaurants– and even some quick-service restaurants – are elevating service as a way to enhance the customer experience. That often means delivering customer orders to tables. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is becoming one solution that takes the guesswork out of getting the right order to the right table just in time, increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

About Brenda Rick Smith

---

Brenda has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and public relations professional. She invested most of her career telling the story of entrepreneurial non-profit organizations, particularly through social media.

Connect with Brenda Rick: