My name is Bo: Why Arby's will come back

by Erle Dardick — CEO, Monkeymedia

I saw this ad today and just had to write this post. I love it for it's simplicity, elegance and boldness. Watch this....

Taco Bell closing perception gap on Chipotle

October 4, 2012

Earlier this week hedge fund investor David Einhorn announced he was shorting Chipotle in part because of perception gains made by Taco Bell. Einhorn has been…

Smaller chains need mobile, too

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

As consumers become more comfortable with mobile payments, restaurant owners are looking for inexpensive ways to provide them.

Study: Chipotle is America's favorite Mexican food chain

October 4, 2012

In the battle of the burritos, Chipotle takes the prize, according to a national study from Market Force, a leader in customer intelligence solutions. Chipotle…

Barberitos supports Breast Cancer Awareness

October 4, 2012

Barberitos has launched its month-long, system-wide breast cancer awareness campaign, Barberitos Gives Breast Cancer the Boot, by participating in a number of…

East Coast Wings approved for $7.5M credit facility

October 4, 2012

East Coast Wings & Grill remains on a rapid path to growth. It recently completed its 35th consecutive quarter of same-store sales increases and was also…

The Sustainability playground: consumer drivers

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Does your company have the ability to make the consumer feel safe?

Quiznos names president of international business to grow brand

October 3, 2012

Quiznos today announced the appointment of Kenneth Cutshaw as the company's new president of International.

Uncle Maddio's credits social media efforts for franchise growth

October 3, 2012

Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint launched three years ago in Atlanta and expects to have 20 restaurants open by the end of 2012, with 125 more stores in development…

Report: QSR traffic, tickets grow in second quarter

October 3, 2012

Consumers pulled back from visits to midscale and casual dining restaurants in the April, May and June quarter, continuing a four-year streak of visit losses…

It's time to 'Monkey' around at Fast Casual Executive Summit

Some of the industry's biggest names will speak at this year's summit.

FREEBIRDS hires former Grill Concepts exec

October 3, 2012

FREEBIRDS World Burrito has hired Dmitri Fagel as the new director of operations support for FREEBIRDS system-wide. Fagel, who spent the past two decades at…

Dipping sandwiches arrive at Togo's

October 3, 2012

Togo's recently unveiled two new sandwiches – the Roast Beef Dip and the Triple Dip -- at all of Togo's 250 locations.

Farmer Brothers launches specialty coffee line

October 3, 2012

Farmer Brothers has launched its first specialty line of coffee available through its nationwide direct-store-delivery (DSD) network. The Artisan Collection…

CUPS opening 1st NY unit

October 3, 2012

CUPS Frozen Yogurt, a beach-themed self-serve fro-yo concept, opens its first New York location at 7 p.m. today at 2080 Mall Walk, Cross Country Shopping…

Le Duff America names new president for 3 concepts

October 3, 2012

Le Duff America Inc. has named Jeff Drake president of Brioche Dorée North America, Au Pain Doré and Michel's Bakery Café. As president, Drake will lead…

It's time to 'Monkey' around at Fast Casual Exec Summit

Monkey Media's Erle Dardick weighs in on why operators can't miss this year's Summit.

The great bacon shortage

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Meat prices will rise next year; keep your customers aware, manage your menu prices and promote items that use less animal protein.

MICROS implements Isis SmartTap m-commerce app at restaurants

October 2, 2012

MICROS Systems Inc., a provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, has announced the integration of the Isis…

POS system hackers are caught and prosecuted

by Brad Cyprus — Chief of Security and Compliance, Vendor Safe Technologies

Subway has been the subject of intensive scrutiny and media attention since it came to light that its POS system was found to be vulnerable and that several…