Is it "what" or "who" you hire?

by Nate DaPore — President and CEO, PeopleMatter

One of the most critical —and sometimes frustrating — challenges managers face today is staffing. In the restaurant industry, being fully staffed with…

Menu-labeling tips for adults, kiddos

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

The time is rapidly approaching when you will need to clearly disclose the calorie counts for every standardized item on your menus. You might not run the risk…

Wall Street Investors Demand ROI - Return on Innovation

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

Return on Innovation (ROI), and not Return on Investment is the new demand (and expectation) of Wall Street Investors.

Are digital menu boards really that complicated?

by Scott Sharon — CEO, START

We all know there's a lot of differences between digital menu boards and traditional menu boards. They are new and there's a lot to learn, but are they really…

Our greater food culture

by Melissa Abbott — Director, Culinary Insights, The Hartman Group, Inc

In the spirit of celebrating contemporary food culture, this subway-style map (below, or click here for a larger view) is intended to serve as a snapshot of…

5 common mistakes made with safes

We work hard in the restaurant business to provide our customers the food they desire. With efficient operations, we have enough inventory to convert raw…

A Big Apple surprise – restaurateur shows concern for food allergies

by Paul Mcginnis — Vice President, Marketing, Ecolab Food Safety Specialties

I jumped out of the cab and just stood there taking it all in – the smell of roasted peanuts, the constant honking of taxis and the bright lights of hundreds…

Duncan Hines Amazing Glazes -- old technology in new packaging

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

What makes Duncan Hines' new Amazing Glazes so "amazing?" Does it represent new technology? Or do the glazes represent a new application of an old technology?

Gluten free done right

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Jeff Drake, President of GoRoma, a fast-casual Italian restaurant with six locations in the Chicago area, is glad he decided to feature gluten-free menu…

America's Next Great Fall Guy

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

After just a single month of operation, "America's Next Great Restaurant" winner Jamawn Woods shuttered two of the three "Soul Daddy" locations that debuted…

Leverage social media outlets for your new hires

by Nate DaPore — President and CEO, PeopleMatter

How did most of your applicants find you? Did they use a job board or did they walk in and ask one of your team members for an application? More and more…

Don't try this at home

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Jerry Calabrese for a Fast Casual webinar. For those that missed it, Jerry recently retired from McDonald’s where he…

Turning the mundane into the memorable

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Most consumers treat themselves to dining occasions across the entire spectrum of restaurant segments. Within everyone's lives, there are occasions that are…

Kosher, Halal, Organic, and Gluten Free Stand Trial – Part I

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

"How about a Dutch baby for breakfast?" I said as I selected apples from the fruit basket. Enzo chimed in first, "No, I don't like Dutch babies". Switching…

Kosher, Halal, Organic, and Gluten Free Stand Trial – Part II

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

*If you want to know what is going on, read Part I first.

What makes you say that?

I met with a potential client this past week. It was a referral from a current client that knows I can help this business with their many in-house “issues.…

Is “Jane Q Diner” responsible or is the counter person?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Recently I had the pleasure and challenge of doing what I would call a “mystery dine” on a concept near the town where I live. This desire to go play Food PD…

The Power of a Last Impression

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Do you like to sit behind a one way mirror and listen to your customers talk passionately about the food that they eat and the brands that they favor...or…

Slippery when wet – A mop bucket mentality

I first noticed the unmistakable sound of a mop bucket being pushed across a tile floor. I glanced over at the shift manager as he rolled the bucket of hot…

Transparency is the Key to Successful Menu Labeling

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

My NRA show experience started out with a session on Menu Labeling first thing Saturday morning and was a perfect way for me to begin this amazing conference.