Hot sauce and spicy menus attract scores of customers

Is your operation taking advantage of the "hot foods" trend?

Fast-casual franchising: Is your chain ready?

You don't want to franchise too quickly.  Most experts say to wait at least five years before announcing franchising plans.    

Restaurant design: Fast-casual look attracts customers

Donatos and Panera add to their brand with an attractive exterior design.  

Airport security measures hardly impact store sales

  Panda Express and Starbucks do not anticipate major bumps. But some experts say it's too early to judge.  

Fast-casual restaurants increase check averages with desserts

Chocolate-chip cookies, ice cream and brownies may not be headline menu items, but they boost profits.  

The Great Harvest family

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Breaking bread with genuine people.

Black Gold

Push your profits by matching your premium food with a premium coffee

The Bruegger's turnaround

The once fast-growing chain has learned slow-growth is better.

2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

To wine or not to wine

Serving wine may be a venture worth looking into. Several fast casuals are boosting dinner sales with the alcoholic beverage.

The state of the London coffeehouse

Traditional cafés stave off Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks may have actually helped the once-dying London coffeehouse.

Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

Alterra Coffee owns Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee has created a cult-like following within the large Midwestern town.

Experts create the first virtual brand

Camp Out Grill is not real. For now, it's a virtual brand.

Chipotle's IPO success influences fast-casual growth

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Fast-casual restaurants as a whole are racking up impressive numbers, but are they enough to sustain Wall Street's appetite?

The truth behind organic and all-natural foods

Organic foods are a growing trend, but USDA fines restaurants up to $10,000 for misuse of the regulated term.

Fast casual restaurants gear up for the holidays

Fast casuals across the nation are gearing up for the holidays this year with delectable dinners and treats for their adoring customers.

Food Metrics: The evolution of the fast service restaurant

From quick service to fast casual, the dining experience has come a long way