Will the menu trends of 2017 turn to the dark side?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Charcoal, heavy fats and lots of bubbles may not sound like they belong on 2017's list of menu trends, but the Canadian food-centric marketing consultancy…

Habit Burger Grill opens in Dubai

November 17, 2016

Dubai is home to the Habit Burger Grill's first international location. Under the direction of Food Quest Restaurants Management, the new Habit restaurant is…

Chi'Lantro lands the big one on Shark Tank

November 17, 2016

Last Friday, Chi'Lantro founder Jae Kim landed the big one on the ABC TV show, "Shark Tank". Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran offered Kim $600,000 for 2…

Famous Dave's Q3 results: The bleeding is slowing

November 17, 2016

The third quarter financial results for Famous Dave's shows that the bleeding has slowed to some extent for the chain as the sales decline the company had been…

Noodles & Company gets sauced this holiday

November 17, 2016

Noodles & Company is laying it on thick with its customers this holiday, offering its Smolder from Boulder and Sriracha sauces for $5 each or together in a…

Former Hardee's franchisee, army veteran, single mom joins Tropical Smoothie

November 17, 2016

Emily Harrington has purchased two existing Tropical Smoothie Cafes in Tampa with four more locations pledged in the next several years and as many as 50 sites…

Dickey's brings BBQ to Lake Charles

November 17, 2016

Dickey's Barbecue Pits opened a location this week in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has a month of specials to announce the event to the world.   For example…

117-year-old Japanese brand outperforms industry average

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Apparently after nearly 120 years in business, you can still learn a thing or two about the restaurant industry. At least that's been the case for Yoshinoya…

Mobile payments + loyalty programs = a millennial magnet

Entice and capture millennials and you simultaneously attract the larger overall audience. That's why restaurants need mobile payments and loyalty programs now.

6 hacks to optimize restaurant digital tech

You can invest in the best digital technology, but you'll only be getting mediocre results unless you employ techniques like the six hacks explained in this…

Togo's creates bourbon sandwich

November 16, 2016

Togo's unveiled a sweet and spicy renovation to an old favorite, the Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork & Cheddar Sandwich. According to a press release, the new menu…

Schlotzsky's expands in Georgia

November 16, 2016

Schlotzsky's needs you if you're a qualified franchise operator looking to open a Georgia location of the chain. Specifically, the chain is interested in…

Blaze Pizza opens 2 new Louisiana locations

November 16, 2016

Blaze Pizza extended is extending its roots deep down into the watery land in and around the Big Easy, along with another in Shreveport, according to a press…

Delaware opening 2nd Zoup

November 16, 2016

Tiny Delaware is getting its second location of Zoup, this time in Newark, where franchisees Eric and Dia Ames are handling the owner's ladle. Their Christiana…

First-time Captain D franchisees open in Georgia

November 16, 2016

Captain D's opened its newest franchise location in Lovejoy, Georgia, this week, marking the brand's 98th site in the state. Franchisees Ali Momin, Abrar…

Smiling Moose adds 'Mo' to menu

November 16, 2016

Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli's hit hot cheese, meat and vegetable sandwiches are popular items, which is the chain is adding two new Mo! Sandwiches to its…

Mod Pizza gets $42M investment

November 16, 2016

Mod Pizza has raised an additional $42 million of equity, led by Fidelity Management & Research Company and PWP Growth Equity. This is the second round of…

Three ways to get maximum power out of direct mail

by Mike Tinz — Vice President of Franchise Sales, Money Mailer

Tech may be all the talk, but one of the lowest tech approaches to promoting your brand, direct mail, is still not only effective but competitive with most…

Top seven steps to supply chain heaven outlined at summit

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Figuring out supply chain problems has a new urgency and importance today that might not have existed just three years ago. Here from the Fast Casual Summit…

Buffalo Wild Wings names new CIO

November 16, 2016

Buffalo Wild Wings has named Santiago Abraham its new chief information officer, effective Dec. 5. He will oversee the brand's technology strategy, policies…