The counter: restaurant industry scorecard for Q1 2018

Adam Berebitsky discusses why sales rose in Q1 and what will determine restaurants’ success for the second half of the year.

Mustard tops list of favorite hot dog toppings

June 29, 2018

Charlotte-based JJ's released its fifth annual study of the Top 10 Hot Dog Toppings, based on six years of the brand's sales data and 1 million hot dogs…

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza to open in Iowa

June 29, 2018

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza will open Saturday at 6305 Mills Civic Pkwy., in Des Moines, Iowa, according to a company press release. 

Royal Farms introduces Chicken Palooza

June 29, 2018

Royal Farm, a fast casual, convenience, and gas station chain is hosting its first Chicken Palooza Monday through Aug. 31, 2018, according to a company press…

HuHot Mongolian Grill  launches Grill Pass

June 29, 2018

HuHot Mongolian Grill is celebrating summer with a promotion that offers guests the opportunity to pre-purchase grill meals at a discount called Grill Pass…

Ono Hawaiian BBQ continues expansion

June 29, 2018

Continuing its Southern California expansion, Ono Hawaiian BBQ opened its Corona location today, according to a company press release. This marks the 72nd unit…

Why menu management can make or break your fast casual's third-party delivery launch

Omnivore Director of Special Projects, Don Guarnieri, elaborates on why menu management is so important for fast casual restaurants implementing delivery.

How food allergen programs increase customer loyalty

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Many more brands are stepping up to the plate to tackle diners' concerns about food allergens by using everything from staff training to detailed menu item…

Firenza Pizza to open in Texas

June 28, 2018

Firenza Pizza will open July 10, at 1660 Louetta Road in Spring, Texas, according to a company press release. 

Restaurants can now lease kitchen equipment from Welbilt

June 28, 2018

Restaurateurs have a new way to access kitchen equipment. Welbilt, a global provider of commercial foodservice equipment, has launched a leasing program to…

Chipotle closing 5 Pizza Locale units

June 28, 2018

Chipotle’s fast casual pizza brand, Pizzeria Locale, is a casualty of the chain’s turnaround plan. In an effort to increase sales and cut costs, CEO Brian…

Retail decision-makers share their experiences introducing kiosks

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Given the customer benefits that kiosks and digital signage can deliver for retailers, the challenges that oftentimes accompany these deployments are an…

Chipotle CEO hopes to 'drive profits' by closing underperforming units, implementing 5-point strategy

June 27, 2018

Chipotle Mexican Grill CEO Brian Niccol told investors Wednesday that his growth-driven turnaround strategy includes closing up to 65 underperforming…

Potbelly looks to enhance customer experience

June 27, 2018

Potbelly has tapped Kansas City-based Service Management Group to help it enhance its customer experience. The restaurant chain, headquartered in Chicago…

Smoothie King signs expansion deal

June 27, 2018

Smoothie King, a smoothie company with nearly 1,000 locations worldwide, has signed a 60-unit franchisee deal with Franchisee John Clancy to introduce the…

Afters Ice Cream to open 22nd location

June 27, 2018

Afters Ice Cream, based in California, will open its 22nd location Saturday located at 862 E. Alosta Ave., in Azusa, according to a company press release. 

Wingstop opens first franchise in Panama

June 27, 2018

Wingstop has opened its first franchise location in Panama City, Panama, according to a company press release. This marks the ninth international unit for the…

Newk's Eatery announces Florida expansion

June 27, 2018

Newk's Eatery is expanding with a 10-restaurant deal in Southeast Florida within the next five years, according to a company press release. 

Fowl Play celebrates opening week-long festivities

June 27, 2018

Fowl Play, a California-based fast casual chicken concept, is celebrating the opening of its location at 3850 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, California, with a…

Teriyaki Madness launches mobile app

June 26, 2018

Teriyaki Madness, based out of Denver, has released a mobile app, available for download nationwide on iTunes or Google Play, according to a company press…