All this change is driving me crazy!

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

I was sure it would be a short, 15-minute lesson about e-mail to my 62-year old father. Tell him the basics, have him create and respond to an e-mail and then…

A cocktail walks into a bar

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

“I cannot believe I agreed to do this,” she thought as she entered the almost empty bar. “I mean, what on earth was I thinking? It was that little Daiquiri…

It’s all about today

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

September 18 was a fairly busy day for me. Tasked with the Saturday chores of grocery shopping, laundry and general errand running, it was a day that required…

A sea change

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

On one day in 2008, more than a half-million volunteers in 100 countries collected 11.4 million items of trash along the world’s waterways. What were the top…

Remember your first boss?

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Do you remember your first boss? Of COURSE you do. That person holds a unique place in your personal history. Be it a source of inspiration, perspiration, or…

Bridging the gaps

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

When I was in the fifth grade, I had a classmate who was completely obsessed with Prince and the Revolution. When Purple Rain was released in 1984, he watched…

Street food adoption papers approved

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I find it fascinating that some experiences stay with you forever while 1,000 others fade to nothing - as if never born. Have you ever had an experience that…

Planning store layouts? Consider the recycling and composting trend

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

As I travel the country, I see more and more operators, universities, airports and hotels collecting recyclables and compostables. If you’re planning new…

A trend walks into the unemployment office

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

He sat patiently on the hard little chair, not sure what to expect. The paper in his hand seemed small and sparse but it would have to do. The door opposite…

Payroll savings in the kitchen: Worth the risk?

by Carolyn Richmond — Partner, Fox Rothschild

With businesses facing continued economic uncertainty, the pressure to find cost savings is greater than ever.  Undeniably, cutting down on overtime costs is…

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…