NRA executive named 'Top Lobbyist'

November 6, 2012

Scott DeFife, the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) executive vice president for Policy and Government Affairs, has been named a 2012 "Top Lobbyist" by…

Menchie's donating portion of sales to Hurricane Sandy relief

November 6, 2012

The Menchie's frozen yogurt franchise announced a nationwide fundraiser, "The Smile After the Storm," that will support The American Red Cross' aid for…

An industry of choice again

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

The industry must improve the overall offer to prospective employees; pay, benefits, working conditions and schedules in order to attract quality workers.

Famous Dave's to add 21 more units

November 5, 2012

Famous Dave's recently signed deals to open a total of 16 new units. They will be located in San Diego/Los Angeles/Ventura counties, Calif., Sacramento…

FREEBIRDS named fastest-growing fast casual chain

November 5, 2012

FREEBIRDS has topped the Technomic Top 150 Fast Casual Chain Restaurant Report as the fastest growing fast casual chain of 2011. In 2011, FREEBIRDS saw a 63.…

Starbucks transforming China's tea-drinking people into coffee fans

November 5, 2012

China has welcomed Starbucks with open arms; since its launch there 13 years ago in Beijing, it has since moved into Shanghai and Guangzhou, Starbucks China…

Restaurants promoting voting with special promos

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Many chains are giving away freebies to customers who can prove they voted.

Chipotle gets crafty with beer

November 2, 2012

Several Chipotle locations are adding craft beer to their menus. The chain has already been serving Mexican and Latin American imports along with more common…

VooDoo BBQ franchise candidates now have easier loan access

November 2, 2012

VooDoo BBQ & Grill, a fast-growing system of Louisiana-themed barbecue restaurants, was recently added to the U.S. Small Business Administration's…

Caribou expands Minnesota presence

November 2, 2012

Caribou welcomed the Oakdale, Minn., community this week to its newest coffeehouse located at 7009 10th St. North. Along with offering an array of handcrafted…

Mama Fu's signs multiunit deal in Dallas

November 2, 2012

Mama Fu’s is feeding the demand for freshly prepared Asian cuisine with a new area development and multiunit franchise agreement calling for 14 Mama Fu’s…

Engage customers with social tools to bring in their friends

by Jitendra Gupta — Mobile CRM Director, Punchh

It's been said that it takes a village to raise a child, but restaurateurs know it takes at least a community that large to grow just one business. It makes…

4 new technologies now serving restaurants

CEOs tell you why your restaurants need new solutions.

MISSION BBQ opens second location

November 1, 2012

A little more than a year after opening the first MISSION BBQ in Glen Burnie, Md., the chain has decided to expand its community-driven barbecue into Baltimore…

Famous Dave's launches fast casual concept

November 1, 2012

Famous Dave's of America, the Minneapolis-based, 186-unit full-service barbecue and restaurant concept, is rolling out its first fast casual unit -- Famous…

NYPD Pizza signs with BBI to franchise globally

November 1, 2012

Beautiful Brands International announced a joint venture with Paul Russo to franchise NYPD Pizzeria, headquartered in Orlando, Fla. Russo founded NYPD Pizza in…

Restaurant chains double amount raised to fight childhood hunger

November 1, 2012

Throughout Sep. 8, 292 restaurants across every segment participated in Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry fundraising program. Together, they…

Boston Starbucks testing phone-charging stations

October 31, 2012

Several Starbucks throughout Boston are testing wireless phone-charging solutions designed by Duracell Powermat. The coffee chain will test eight stations in…

Despite softer September sales, restaurant operators more optimistic

October 31, 2012

As a result of softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in…

Restaurant consumers increasingly interested in technology

October 31, 2012

Consumers are increasingly interested in technology amenities when dining out, even though restaurants' incorporation of such amenities is slow.