Who's the boss? Tips for avoiding joint employer liability

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Franchisors must clearly define their roles to exclude control over the terms and/or conditions of franchisee's employees.

Want to influence customers? Listen up, say marketing experts

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Listening to customers can yield key insights into what customers like, what they don't like, what's working and what's not. Those insights yield actionable…

Big brands capture big social media share, but smaller brands get the love

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

It's no surprise that Chipotle grabs the lions' share of social media attention among top fast casual brands, but smaller, regional eateries inspire the most…

Chipotle's strong showing demonstrates fast food 'out of touch' with consumers, says Ells

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

October 21, 2014

The 20-something brand has demonstrated it can spend more on ingredients, charge a fair price and generate outstanding business results, the co-CEO says.

Tea, craft soda, beer bubbling up in beverage trends

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Fast casual operators can pull away from the pack by offering trendy beverages like handcrafted sodas, specialty teas and alcohol. But will margins be high…

5 steps for keeping your restaurant from getting ICE'd

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The US government has stepped up its immigration enforcement efforts in recent years, and all employers -- not just large ones, or ones that employ…

Nine keys for driving speed of service

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurants can become victims of their own success when high volume slows down service. Check out these tips for satisfying the need for speed.

Is it possible to deliver fine dining experience for $10?

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Frank Klein, CEO of Asian Box, thinks it's possible. The Asian concept sources sustainable ingredients, makes its own sauces and butchers its own meat.

Reducing food waste can improve the bottom line and the environment

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

A study commissioned by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance found that approximately 80 billion pounds of food are discarded into US landfills every year, with…

Building fine experience into fast service

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

How do fast casual restaurants foster customer relationships without sacrificing efficiency?

Smoothie King adopts iPad POS systemwide

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

September 26, 2014

With more than 700 restaurants, Revel Systems says Smoothie King's iPad-based POS deployment is the largest to date.

Experts share insights on millennial dining-out decisions

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Shaped by user-centric devices and the Great Recession, value-conscious millennials are looking for great experiences that are friction-free.

Greener planet, more green in the pockets

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Au Bon Pain reduced its carbon footprint, looks to shave up with 13 percent off its energy bill by monitoring and analyzing its energy usage.

E-2 visa leads UK entrepreneur to California dream

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Franchising is an ideal fit for many foreign entrepreneurs seeking to live and work in the US.

Boston Market taps employees to focus on guest experience

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Boston Market leaders collaborated with managers, employees to develop a new Guest Service Excellence program aimed at lifting AUVs from $1.3 million to $1.…

Doing well by doing good

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

When brands connect themselves and their customers to causes they love, everyone can benefit.

'Failure is not an option' in CEO's cancer battle

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Just as things started taking off for Chicken Salad Chick, President and CEO Kevin Brown was diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer. He's fighting back, and…

iPhone mobile payment option opens up opportunity for marketers

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

With Apple's rollout of Apple Pay, now might be a good time for marketers to get to know Passbook.

New Wild Wing Cafe CEO has deep roots in fast casual, QSR

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurant industry veteran Tom Lewison has been tapped to help Wild Wing Cafe take flight.

A thing for wings

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

From QSRs to sports bars, wings are on menus everywhere. Why?