Key themes for '15: Food quality, customization, customer-facing technology

December 18, 2014

Fitch Ratings released its 2015 Outlook for the US Restaurant industry, predicting an improvement in sales trends, the easing of commodities pressures and…

Starbucks China opens new reserve store, rolls out partner exchange program

December 18, 2014

The Chengdu Taikoo Li store features Sichuan-inspired tiles, silk artwork by local craftsmen, and a warm wood tone interior similar to the materials used in…

Halal Guys franchisee to develop restaurants in the Houston market

December 18, 2014

The new franchisee has signed on to develop 5 units in the Houston area, representing half of the total available market, leaving more stores available for…

Great Wraps inks development deal for DFW and Oklahoma City

December 18, 2014

Great Wraps currently has 80 locations in 18 states. The new deal will add Oklahoma to the mix for the first time.

Pizza Studio continues SoCal expansion

December 18, 2014

Pizza Studio is opening its 26th store today, located in Compton, California's Gateway Towne Center. Compton city officials will be on hand for an official…

Top 100: Menu Trends – Customization

December 18, 2014

Customization is number nine on our list of the 2014 Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers: Menu Trends.

Rearview 2014: Cause marketing moves from fundraising to partnerships

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Cause marketing went to the next level in 2014, beyond raising awareness and funds for a cause to deep partnerships between restaurants and non-profits.

How to Keep Turnover from Eating Your Profits

Keeping a qualified, engaged team on staff is critical for any business. But before we get too far into that topic, can we interest you in a little data…

Is your restaurant green?

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Even though going green may cost more than conventional items, consumers are willing to pay more for the opportunity; for them it is not an indulgence but a…

Agreement enables Paytronix Rewards, NCR Aloha POS integration

December 17, 2014

The new Cloud Connect integration will enable Paytronix to integrate, maintain and deploy its solution across NCR’s install base of more than 100,00…

Feast BBQ opens 2nd location

December 17, 2014

Indiana-based Feast BBQ is jumping the Ohio River to open a second location in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dining habits shifting toward snacks

December 17, 2014

In 2004, one-third of survey respondents reported they ate several small meals throughout the day, while 10 years later, 39 percent of respondents indicate…

Peet's pulls out of Ohio after 18 months

December 17, 2014

The company had said it planned to grow its East Coast presence from the Cleveland market; now its focus will shift to better-performing markets.

Panera Bread progressing toward animal welfare goals

December 17, 2014

Among its successes: 91 percent of Panera's pork supply is antibiotic-free, 80 percent of is beef is grass-fed and 100 percent of its chicken is…

Billy Sims BBQ opens 44th location

December 17, 2014

The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based chain opened 11 new restaurants in 2014.

Fast casual sales significantly outpaced other segments in Q3

December 17, 2014

New research from Technomic's Financial Dashboard finds that the fast casual restaurant segment outperformed all others with nearly 8 percent growth in…

Families with kids making fewer restaurant visits

December 17, 2014

According to new research from The NPD Group, families with kids have made 1 billion fewer visits to US restaurants in the past six years. This consumer base…

Pie Five continues food pantry campaign for newest Wichita opening

December 17, 2014

Pie Five Pizza Co. has opened its newest Wichita, Kansas, restaurant on Rock Road, across from Bradley Fair. The opening marks the third location in Wichita…

Snagajob launches video job application feature

December 17, 2014

Snagajob has released its free app for iOS and Android, designed to make the job posting/hiring process easier by using a smartphone’s or tablet’s video, photo…

Pie Five announces 55 new franchise deals

December 17, 2014

Pie Five Pizza Co. has awarded up to 55 franchise units to John "J.D." Draper and John Draper II. The father-son team plans to introduce the concept throughout…