Boston Market exec goes 'Undercover' to study operations

The chain's chief brand officer discusses her appearance on "Undercover Boss" and the restaurant's recent rebranding efforts.

Top 100: Fast casual trends - No. 6

January 31, 2013

No. 6: The better burger segment

Gluten-free menus can be a challenge – or not

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Conservative estimates see gluten-free at $8 billion in consumer food purchases alone in 2013.

Restaurant traffic declines in December, but outlook is up

January 31, 2013

Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in…

Partnership streamlines business intelligence, marketing software needs

January 31, 2013

Improving Restaurants, a software technology company for the restaurant industry, and SpenDifference, a provider of supply chain support, have teamed up to…

American Roadside Burgers breaks ground in Greenville, S.C.

January 31, 2013

To build its newest store, American Roadside demolished a service station on the corner of East McBee Avenue and South Irvine Street in Downtown Greenville…

Growth of fast casuals driven by many factors

January 31, 2013

It's no secret that fast casual restaurants are more popular than ever, but new research from Consumer Edge Insight's Restaurant DemandTracker, a new…

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza continues SoCal expansion

January 31, 2013

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has signed a lease for its next location, which will be located in Rolling Hills Plaza at 2625 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance…

Elevation Burger 'towers' over Dubai

January 31, 2013

Elevation Burger has a single location in Dubai, but its presence is huge, thanks to a lighted 18- by 14-square-foot sign atop Latifa Tower, a 56-story…

Top 100: Fast casual trends - No. 5

January 30, 2013

No. 5: Social responsibility

Digital commerce takes on Super Bowl

While this age of digital commerce shows incredible promise, restaurants must make sure that they are truly going digital in the right way.

Food innovation can be glamorous and messy, but don't let that stop you!

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

Time and time again, a great innovative idea is shelved, only to be resurrected years later as a successful new product.

Retailers offering higher quality pizza, sandwiches to compete with restaurants

January 30, 2013

When the Recession was in full swing, consumers chose grocery stores, warehouse clubs and other retailers over restaurants, seeking out better deals on…

Design of new Portland airport Starbucks reflects city's history

January 30, 2013

Travelers making their way through Portland International Airport will find Starbucks in a new location. Partnering with global restaurateur HMSHost, the…

Juice bars, cafés now using MICROS POS

January 30, 2013

Performance Food Centers has named MICROS Systems Inc. its exclusive technology partner for its more than 1,300 juice bar and café clients. MICROS will provide…

Anthony Bourdain named a featured speaker for NRA Show

January 30, 2013

Anthony Bourdain — best known for his Emmy Award-winning series "No Reservations" and new programs "The Taste" on ABC and "Parts Unknown" on CNN — has been…

Foodservice learning from the Fancy Food Show

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Gluten-free remains a hot trend, while others are just now emerging, such as coconut flavor and salty/sweet combos.

OpenTable acquires Foodspotting

January 29, 2013

OpenTable Inc., a provider of online restaurant reservations, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Foodspotting, an app…

Menchie's franchise agreement paves way for Canadian expansion

January 29, 2013

Yogurtworld Franchising Corp. announced that it has sold its rights to develop and operate Menchie's Frozen Yogurt units in Canada. The primary assets that…

Report: Majority of consumers now use mobile food ordering tools

January 29, 2013

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and its Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence, in partnership with Viggle, have released the "Mealtime Goes Mobile…