Firehouse introducing customers to Coca-Cola Freestyle with Happy Hour event

December 13, 2011

Firehouse Subs recently rolled out the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine nationwide and, to introduce Louisville, Ky., customers to the technology, the restaurant is…

Buffalo Wild Wings, HubWorks launches test pilot of iPad-based ordering system

December 8, 2011

HubWorks Interactive ­LLC, the developer of iPad and mobile ordering systems for the hospitality industry, has announced its recently implemented test…

Starbucks' mobile transactions exceed 26 million

December 6, 2011

It's been one year since Starbucks first rolled out its mobile payment application to more than 9,000 U.S. locations and others around the world. Since its…

Restaurant traffic flat first 9 mos of 2011

December 5, 2011

The U.S. restaurant industry entered 2011 in a state of optimism after ending 2010 with two consecutive quarters of one percent traffic increases, but the…

Service with a Smile: Get your employees & customers through the holiday rush

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

Even though the holiday shopping season has passed with Black Friday, there are still plenty of opportunities for your employees to make a lasting impression.

Which Wich Spices Up Its Restaurants with Custom Music Offerings

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches used Custom Channels music to match its clientele and improve customer and employee satisfaction.

Corner Bakery Cafe raises record amount for No Kid Hungry

November 22, 2011

With the help of guests across the nation, Corner Bakery Cafe raised more than $268,000 during the 2011 Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry.

Fazoli's hosting Black Friday lunch deal

November 21, 2011

Fazoli's is anticipating what is predicted to be the biggest Black Friday ever by offering a deal for hungry shoppers. On Nov. 25, customers will receive a $…

Seattle's Best plans Black Friday giveaway

November 20, 2011

Seattle's Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation, is delivering a perk to those who have to work this Black Friday, Nov. 25: free coffee.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill launches real-time loyalty program

November 17, 2011

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced the launch of its real-time loyalty program. All guest loyalty rewards and points are now loaded directly to Very…

Boloco launches childrens menu

November 16, 2011

Boloco has unveiled its new childrens menu at the company's Concord, N.H., and Natick, Mass., locations. The menu will then roll out to other locations in…

First impressions still count for new customers

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

Food is still the biggest driver of a customer's first impression.

LivingSocial tests instant ordering and delivery features for restaurants

November 14, 2011

LivingSocial has launched a test of new food ordering and delivery features as part of its LivingSocial Instant service. Starting today, LivingSocial members…

Snapfinger launches group ordering feature

November 13, 2011

Snapfinger, a provider of remote Web and mobile ordering and pre-payment services for the restaurant industry, has launched a new group ordering feature.

Highlights from the Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

For three days in the later part of October, more than 200 fast casual executives and suppliers came together to discuss issues impacting the segment and the…

Starbucks acquires Evolution Fresh

November 9, 2011

As part of its commitment to evolve and enhance the customer experience with innovative and wholesome products, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced the…

Zoup! to roll out NEXTEP's Foundation5 platform

November 8, 2011

NEXTEP SYSTEMS, a foodservice technology company, has announced that Zoup! Fresh Soup Company has selected the NEXTEP Foundation5 platform for enterprise…

Fast Casual Executive Summit: CEO Roundtable Part 2

In this session from the 2011 Fast Casual Executive Summit, attendees heard from operators large and small about the ways they are growing sales, integrating…

Fast Casual Executive Summit: CEO Roundtable Part 1

In this session from the 2011 Fast Casual Executive Summit, attendees heard from operators large and small about the ways they are growing sales, integrating…

Technomic: Commodity costs to shape restaurant industry in 2012

November 7, 2011

As 2011 begins to wind down, foodservice research and consulting firm Technomic has predicted seven developments that will take shape in the restaurant…