Are we missing something?

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

Recently Market Force ran a series of studies with over 4,00 consumers to investigate their attitudes and behaviors around fast casual and family restaurants…

Most Toilets Flush in E Flat

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

This was the statement my son greeted me with as I came home from work one Friday afternoon. Most dads would expect a familiar word like “Hello” or the ever…

The strangers among us

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I love airports. I love hotels. I love conferences. I love anywhere there are groups of strangers I can interact with. What is so fascinating is that just as…

A glance in the rearview mirror

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

I apologize in advance for stating the obvious: The recession has taken a toll on the restaurant industry.  Industry traffic is down; the majority of chains…

When it's time to hire, look for learners

by Michael Harms — Sr. Business Analyst, People Report - Black Box Intelligence

Odds are you’ve never met my mother. That’s too bad. Think Betty White with darker hair. My mom is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet and her cinnamon…

Should you outsource your HR?

by Richard Yelton — Principal, Windham Brannon, P.C.

For many restaurant owners, outsourcing certain administrative functions provides them the ability to better focus on the strategic and operational sides of…

A four-step approach to expanding recycling and composting

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

The power of small numbers

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

“As long as repeat business is important, and as long as customers have a chance to go somewhere else, employees must deliver high levels of satisfaction for a…

How the evil HR guy is messing with this job market

by Joni Doolin — CEO, People Report

Doing food safety 'til the cows come home

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

From the second I walked through the front entrance, I noticed a difference. Maybe it was the warm, sincere greeting at the front desk or the quick tour and…

People - The threshold to success

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

As CEO of a predominately franchised chain of restaurants, I often challenge my team to examine the differences between the high and low restaurant sales…

I’ll say it again – gluten free is a house of cards

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

The spiders in my back yard suffer from over inflated egos and exaggerated senses of self importance. Lack of ambition is something these mavericks will never…

Making the right choice from the single-use ‘menu’

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

Ever stare at a menu for an eternity and still find yourself unable to make a decision?  Maybe you weren’t sure of your own priorities that day or maybe you…

Kids meal toys: Temptresses of joy or industry scapegoat?

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I awoke to a crime scene in my living room the other morning. Armed with just a bathrobe and mad hair I approached the blood stained cloth and bloody foot…

Trends in Eating Out: Hunker down, or exhale?

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

Nothing is more top of mind right now for those of us in the restaurant industry than the state of the economy.

I’d like the ‘green’ packaging please

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

I’m often asked by foodservice operators and consumers: What sustainable single-use foodservice products should I use to serve food and beverages? Which…

Leave Me Alone---I'm trying to work!

by Michael Harms — Sr. Business Analyst, People Report - Black Box Intelligence

Okay, so unemployment is at 10% and the economy has lost over 8 million jobs since this recession began. You don't have to be an economist to know that this…

So You Want to be a Franchisor?

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

I wish I had a franchise fee for every time the owner of a fledgling restaurant concept stopped to ask me whether or not they should put their concept out on…

Food & Beverage Forecasting: Resetting the Stage through Chaos

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I had the interesting experience of having an invitation to my 8-year-old's sleepover party rejected by a mother who suggested we wait until next school year…

Please, No More Tacos!

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

Taco Sunday. Just typing the phrase brings back a flood of memories involving lots of ground beef and hungry teenagers. Some of you may not remember this…