Panchero's hires new VP of franchise development

November 29, 2010

Panchero's Mexican Grill has announced the hiring of Gary Matusiak as the company's new vice president of franchise development. Matusiak joins the team from…

Restaurant comps, traffic push RPI to highest level in three years

November 29, 2010

Fueled by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest…

Fast Casual restaurants gain UK market share

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 28, 2010

Fast-casual restaurants are continuing to gain market share in the United Kingdom -- growing at a faster rate than their limited-service counterparts…

Healthy Fast Food opens Idaho U-Swirl

November 28, 2010

Healthy Fast Food Inc., parent company to U-Swirl International Inc., has announced the opening of its first U-Swirl frozen yogurt café in the Boise, Idaho…

Panda Express rolls out major growth plan

November 28, 2010

Just last year, foodservice industry consultant Technomic called the Asian segment "under-realized." Most Asian food business comes from full-service…

Atlanta Bread returns seasonal selections

November 28, 2010

Atlanta Bread has returned by popular demand two seasonal favorites: the Turkey Berry Brie sandwich and Roasted Organic Butternut Squash Soup.

Study: People choose combo meals regardless of value or size

November 28, 2010

In her new research, "Consumption Effects of Bundling: Consumer Perceptions, Firm Actions, and Public Policy Implications," appearing in the fall issue of…

Gift cards to boost industry sales

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

Despite modest gains, the National Restaurant Association’s chief economist is predicting the continued tightening of consumer spending.

Is your restaurant required?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Is your restaurant required by law to post nutritional information?

Skimming: credit cards - and profits

Credit card skimming in the restaurant industry is becoming more exposed as high-dollar theft cases are being made against restaurant workers. Recently in the…

Tom & Eddie's second location to open soon

November 23, 2010

Tom & Eddie's has announced that it will open its second Illinois location December 14, at the Shoppes at Geneva Commons, west of Chicago.

Elevation Burger opens in New York

November 23, 2010

Fabian Rosario and his business partner John Harris have entered into an agreement to open three Elevation Burger restaurants throughout New York City. Their…

Making the grade

by Paul Mcginnis — Vice President, Marketing, Ecolab Food Safety Specialties

I remember it like it was yesterday… Derek, my best friend in 7th grade, ducked down in the back seat of the school bus and said “Cover me!” I turned around to…

Claiming the benefits of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010

by Richard Yelton — Principal, Windham Brannon, P.C.

As many restaurant franchisees are currently contemplating the need to make capital improvements to their restaurants, the recently enacted Small Business Jobs…

Disharmonic harmony in trends

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

*Disclaimer – I know nothing about music – just embrace the metaphor.

Zpizza launches rustic line of pies

November 22, 2010

Zpizza is looking to start a pure pizza revolution with its new Rusticas, personal-sized free form crust pizzas, made with 100 percent certified organic wheat…

Dirty dishware, restrooms and odor are Top 3 customer turnoffs

November 22, 2010

A recent Cintas Corporation survey conducted by Harris Interactive revealed that dirty dishes, unpleasant odor and dirty restrooms are the top reasons…

Panera Bread opens second Panera Cares cafe

November 22, 2010

The Panera Bread Foundation has opened its second non-profit community cafe – called Panera Cares – in Dearborn, Mich. The company also announced plans to open…

Stay awake, stay uncomfortable, stay kind

by Joni Doolin — CEO, People Report

We are living in a time of meta-shift. Pick your favorite historian, economist, futuris, or business sage - if you listen closely they are all telling us the…

Saladworks to open first Conn. location

November 21, 2010

Saladworks has announced the grand opening of its first location in Connecticut at the Westfield Trumbull Mall’s dining terrace. The opening marks the first of…