Wrestling with a million dollar baby - skimming

The restaurant industry is rife with ways to lose profitability. Just when you think you have things buttoned up, a new twist comes along that can threaten…

Gluten free goes mainstream

Gluten-free menu claims have grown 114 percent over the last three years, proving that consumers beyond those diagnosed with celiac disease are eating…

Wing Zone opens at Ft. Hood

December 26, 2011

Chicken wing chain Wing Zone has opened its second military base location at Ft. Hood in Texas, marking the second of 15 locations to open on military bases…

Pei Wei, HMSHost open first airport location

December 26, 2011

HMSHost has opened the first Pei Wei China Bistro airport location in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). A part of the P.F. Chang’s family…

Quiznos reaches deal to avoid bankruptcy

December 26, 2011

Quiznos has reached an agreement with a significant majority of its first- and second-lien lenders on a consensual financial restructuring plan that will…

2012 will be the year of more information

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Miniature portions, specialty beverages are among the trends to watch.

Bruegger's CEO steps down

December 21, 2011

Le Duff America Inc., owner of Bruegger's, has announced that co-CEO James Greco will step down as of Dec. 27, to pursue other opportunities.

Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee deploys MICROS Simphony solution

December 20, 2011

Bison Appendages Inc. and its owner, Bob Senkar, a Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar franchisee, has chosen to implement MICROS Simphony, a cloud-based…

Penn Station inks nine multi-unit deals

December 20, 2011

Penn Station East Coast Subs has signed nine multi-unit deals this year for a total of 62 new restaurants. The franchise agreements are for new and existing…

Restaurant industry has strong showing in Entrepreneur's top franchise rankings

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Magazine's annual rankings of top franchised companies weigh stability, growth rate, size of the system, startup costs and more.

Top 100: Garbanzo Mediterranean Gril No. 35

December 20, 2011

35. GarbanzoMediterranean GrillDenver / No. of units: 13This fresh, Mediterranean-fare concept added seven more units to its portfolio in 2010, including an…

Renting a really green Christmas tree

by Amanda Richardson — Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing, Snagajob

Rent a tree. For Christmas. It's a fledgling industry, but it exists. These days you can rent a Christmas tree and enjoy the holiday guilt-free, knowing that…

Commentary: What restaurant marketing trends will emerge in 2012?

Fast casual players are starting to look like two different groups, perhaps three, including "Fine Fast Casual," "Quick Fast Casual" and "Chain Fast Casual…

Entrepreneur showcases Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

December 18, 2011

John Kunkel, the founder of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, has been featured in Entrepreneur. The publication talks about Kunkel's vision for Lime Fresh and the…

Streetsense designs La Madeleine restaurant prototype

December 18, 2011

Bethesda, Md.-based Streetsense has created an all-new interior design scheme for La Madeleine French Country Cafe, which has opened its first newly redesigned…

VooDoo BBQ plans expansion effort

December 18, 2011

The VooDoo BBQ & Grill franchise plans to expand from its current 12 restaurants in south Louisiana to 41 more in five states over the next decade…

FastCasual.com seeking Top 100 nominations

December 18, 2011

FastCasual.com is seeking nominations for this year's Top 100 Movers & Shakers, set to publish in March. The 2012 Top 100 Movers & Shakers is being…

Boloco CEO John Pepper discusses use of social media

December 18, 2011

John Pepper, the CEO of Boston-based Boloco, has been featured in Forbes for his use of social media and its impact on the chain.

Top 100: Potbelly Sandwich Works No. 36

December 18, 2011

36. Potbelly Sandwich Works Chicago / No. of units: 200+ Potbelly’s storied evolution from antique store to quintessential deli with more than 200 locations…

Adaptation – 3 Categories Evolve

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Be mindful of where categories were during the Recession and do not stray too far from the familiar.