Potbelly going public?

September 18, 2013

Chicago-based Potbelly Corp., backed by private equity firm Oak Investment Partners, filed recently with U.S. regulators to raise $75 million in an initial…

Franchisee optimism dampened by regulations, healthcare costs

September 18, 2013

The International Franchise Association has released results from the 3rd Quarter Franchise Forecast for 2013 and Annual Franchise Business Leader Survey. They…

LivingSocial extends deals, adds marketing tools for merchants

September 18, 2013

LivingSocial announced it is offering new, extended-length promotional options for local and national merchants. According to a press release, the new…

Starbucks CEO issues 'respectful request' against guns in stores

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 18, 2013

The request is receiving mixed reviews as some promise to boycott the chain, while others are thankful.

Revention enhances Kitchen Display System

September 17, 2013

Blaze Pizza franchisee adds fundraiser program for community groups

September 17, 2013

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has opened its newest location in Culver City, Calif., at the Culver Crossroads. To celebrate, the company is offering free pizzas to…

OLO builds executive team to scale operations

September 17, 2013

New York-based OLO, an m-commerce and e-commerce platform used by restaurant brands such as Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Cold Stone Creamery and Noodles…

MasterCard's Stand Up To Cancer campaign hits $4M goal

September 17, 2013

MasterCard announced it has reached its goal of raising $4 million for Stand Up To Cancer through its Dig In & Do Good campaign.

Customization leading to fast casual growth, access to capital

September 17, 2013

Customization has been key to the success of fast casual restaurants, according to a report, "2013 Restaurant Sector Update," that found that large and middle…

Limited-service restaurants driving foodservice disposables growth

September 17, 2013

U.S. demand for foodservice disposables is expected to approach $20 billion in 2017, according to www.rnrmarketresearch.com. Growth will be driven by…

Restaurant traffic slightly up in Q2

September 17, 2013

U.S. restaurant traffic increased by 1 percent in the second calendar quarter of 2013, compared to same quarter last year, while consumer spending, driven…

ThermoWorks launches cooking alarm for loud kitchens

September 17, 2013

The new ChefAlarm from ThermoWorks delivers cooking alarms with continuous Min/Max display, a high alarm that sounds when food reaches the predetermined…

Boost restaurant catering sales with a thoughtful beverage program

by Erle Dardick — CEO, Monkeymedia

If you pass on offering a hot beverage lineup, then consider eliminating a morning catering program altogether.

NRAEF accepting nominations for Restaurant Neighbor award

September 16, 2013

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has begun accepting nominations for its 2014 "Restaurant Neighbor" and "Faces of Diversity" awards.

McAlister's continues national expansion with 17 new units

September 16, 2013

McAlister's Deli has announced plans to develop 17 restaurants throughout Indiana, South Carolina and Georgia as part of new multi-unit development agreements…

Smashburger giving freebies to Colorado flood first responders

September 16, 2013

Smashburger will provide first responders assisting in the rescue and evacuation operation of Boulder County's flood emergency with a free entrée, side and a…

Tin Drum names industry vets to leadership team

September 16, 2013

Atlanta-based fast casual franchise, Tin Drum Asiacafé, has added seven new positions to its leadership and corporate support team to shore up its substantial…

Starbucks building 'instant coffee shop' in Chicago

September 16, 2013

We've all heard about instant coffee, but Starbucks is building an "instant coffee shop" in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. Last week, a crew began…

Using technology to stop restaurant theft

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The NRA estimates that employee theft is responsible for 75 percent of inventory shortages and about 4 percent of sales.

Menu newsmakers include the chicken and the egg

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Vegetables will soon be treated with the same care and creativity as proteins.