The power of a personal connection

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

I have been absent from these pages for much too long. The good news is that it is the result of a lot of business travel and very robust sales throughout the…

FREEBIRDS to celebrate Mother's Day with nacho giveaway

May 8, 2012

FREEBIRDS World Burrito is inviting guests to “Nacho Mama” this Mother’s Day. Customers who bring in anyone who claims to be their mother on Mother’s Day, May…

NRA 2012: Front Flip

Front Flip founder Sean Beckner talks about the new customer engagement platform created to help restaurant operators attract and retain guests. Front Flip was…

Farmer Bros. unveils artisan coffee collection

May 7, 2012

To help meet consumers' growing demand for quality coffee products, Farmer Brothers unveiled its Artisan Collection line of Rainforest Alliance-certified…

NCR launches social media referral and customer feedback solution

May 7, 2012

NCR Corp. has announced the launch of its NCR Customer Voice, a Web-based customer loyalty, retention and referral tool that enables operators to monitor…

McAlister's Deli unveils 'Why My Fav' campaign

May 2, 2012

McAlister's Deli has announced the launch of its "Why My Fav" campaign, which asks loyal McAlister's Deli customers to share personal stories about their…

NRA partners with Kidzsmart to promote Kids LiveWell

May 2, 2012

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote its Kids LiveWell program, the National Restaurant Association has announced a new partnership with Kidzsmart…

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants launches Pinterest competition

May 1, 2012

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants announced the launch of its Pinterest brand page earlier this year, and is now hosting a contest that asks Dickey’s fans to post…

Smashburger CEO David Prokupek's smashing success

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

How Smashburger’s CEO and chairman is banking on better burgers.

Webinar covers big data to drive consumer behavior

April 30, 2012

The use of big data to drive customer behavior has been implemented by retailers and restaurants nationwide looking to increase loyalty, retention and to drive…

The Benefits of Facebook for Online Ordering at Restaurants

Social media helps operators increase speed and accuracy for takeout orders.

McAlister's Deli unveils new look

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The chain's new store design includes a tea bar and has been unveiled at two new locations.

The one left off the list: hourly employees' influence on consumer decisions

by Amanda Richardson — Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing, Snagajob

While trend lists may not identify employees as a critical factor, the quality of a restaurant's front-line staff has a significant influence on the features…

Smashburger implements Empathica Local CEM solution

April 25, 2012

Empathica Inc., a provider of customer experience management (CEM) solutions to more than 200 brands, has announced that it has equipped Smashburger with the…

Want to Facebook? What are you waiting for

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Ninety five percent. That’s right, 95% of all consumers are on Facebook, according to our latest research findings across both North America and the UK. We…

Moe's Southwest Grill launches mobile ordering app

April 18, 2012

Moe's Southwest Grill has announced the launch of a nationwide mobile and online ordering solution in partnership with app design company Splick–it.

Use online guest feedback to motivate, engage employees

Use guest feedback to build a distinctive customer experience that will drive retention, loyalty and sustainable business performance.

Charley's Grilled Subs launches baseball season text giveaway

April 11, 2012

Charley’s Grilled Subs is kicking off the 2012 baseball season with its own version of America’s pastime: a six-week text message campaign that awards…

Fazoli's launches new service and hospitality program

April 10, 2012

Riding a nearly two-year sales growth streak, Fazoli's has launched a new service and hospitality program that is the focal point of a new TV commercial…

Bistro offerings complement hospital's mission of health and wellness

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

The Colorado Center's mission is to promote health and prevent disease by reducing obesity and the rates of weight-related chronic diseases, and this new…