Innovation in the name of charity

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

What do the Love Kitchen, Panera Bread, and Cafe 180 all have in common? They provide affordable food to those who can’t regularly pay full price for a meal.

Japan devastation may shift flavor trends

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

For a movie to succeed in America it must either generate the feeling of sympathy or empathy for the characters. If the characters in the movie can't create an…

Of mice and men and pizzerias

Business ethics, or lack of them, apparently has made its way into the world of pizza in a Philadelphia suburb. A pizzeria owner had a problem with mice that…

A trend is more than one

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

For the last few months I have read over and over that menu labeling does not have an effect on ordering or calorie reduction. These articles have all been…

The expansion and contraction of consumer behavior

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I struggle with choosing the best metaphor to describe the difference between consumer behaviors during a good economy vs. a bad economy vs. a recovering…

Thanks, Tyler

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

As Firehouse Subs continues to grow (407 restaurants and counting), it is imperative that my HQ team assists our franchisees in their efforts to establish and…

Hold the salt: 5 quick tips for serving low sodium menu items

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Cutting out the salt to make dishes healthier is no new concept; however, cooking without the salt can be a challenging and daunting task. That’s why we…

The brand you live is the only one they'll love

by Lori Walderich — CMO, Top That! Pizza

If you think big and creatively, you should find plenty of brand-building opportunities.

Entomophagy, invasivors, and foragers oh my!

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

When consumers exhibit courage - I am inspired.

The expanding Panda

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

Who wouldn’t want 70% growth in five years? That’s just what Panda Express is gunning for with its expansion plans over the next few years, and if its track…

Excessive exposure results in sunburn, frostbite, violent robbery

Exposure to the elements for any length of time can lead to devastating consequences. Skin unprotected from the sun may result in serious sunburn.  With…

Keep your customers out of the ER For dessert

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Does it seem to anyone else that almost out of nowhere, all of a sudden, people are expressing food allergies in amazing numbers? 

Be allergy aware: A quick guide to the most common food allergies

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Eight foods are responsible for 90% of food allergic reactions. I've assembled this guide to help you (and your kitchen) be on the lookout for a food allergy.

Rising food costs: The late night exchange

“Pizza, pizza, pizza! Everyday it’s pizza! I get so tired of the pizza that I eat for free as a benefit of working here. So, with a little ingenuity, our late…

Create low calorie dishes with these 12 tips

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

As we continue into 2011 there seems to be a stronger theme of healthy eating. Is all the attention being stirred up by Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign?

Whole grains at play in the realm of health and wellness

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Trends are often born with dual personalities. It is not that they are two sides of the same coin – they don't typically oppose each other like Jekyll and…

Four options for menu labeling

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

For weeks I have wanted to write this blog; the one that lets you know options and choices for finally getting menu nutritional information on your menu/from…

Firehouse Subs CEO: Are there too many restaurants?

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Are there too many restaurants?

Native American diet as an orphan

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Bacteria adjust to their surroundings, as do viruses, with sometimes shocking ease. Bacteria amend their diet to survive. For mammals, the ability to adjust to…

Menu labeling launches into the twittersphere

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Menu Labeling went viral this past weekend.