Fast Casual Executive Summit to address new operating landscape

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

September 8, 2010

It has taken the fast casual segment more than 20 years to establish itself as a restaurant category leader. Now that it has, operators are continuing to…

Big-name food trucks hitting the road

September 8, 2010

What began as a modest neighborhood hot dog slinger has snowballed into a full-fledged craze glorified on The Food Network and emulated by big-name chains…

The changing lines of guest and employee loyalty

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Customer engagement has helped set the fast casual segment apart from the rest, but some would argue employees are losing their spark.

Are we missing something?

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

Recently Market Force ran a series of studies with over 4,00 consumers to investigate their attitudes and behaviors around fast casual and family restaurants…

Qdoba has a cure for 'Burrito Boredom'

August 23, 2010

Qdoba Mexican Grill has launched a national campaign to help "cure burrito boredom." The company created an advocacy group called "Food Lovers Fighting Burrito…

Starbucks, Panera Bread and In-N-Out top Zagat 'best of'

August 15, 2010

Zagat has revealed the results of its latest survey, covering 97 major fast food chains and 39 full service chains as voted on by 6,518 ZAGAT.com diners. The…

A glance in the rearview mirror

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

I apologize in advance for stating the obvious: The recession has taken a toll on the restaurant industry.  Industry traffic is down; the majority of chains…

The power of small numbers

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

“As long as repeat business is important, and as long as customers have a chance to go somewhere else, employees must deliver high levels of satisfaction for a…

Fast Casual Executive Summit to shake up industry segment

July 26, 2010

With the theme of Shaken, Not Stirred, the 2010 Fast Casual Executive Summit has been designed to take restaurant-industry operators out of their comfort zones…

5 keys to building a successful catering platform

Catering is more than another revenue stream; it’s a chance to build an entirely new retail channel for your restaurant.

Local communities large part of fast casual culture

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Fast casual operators learn that community involvement breeds loyalty and extends reach.

Pandini's builds guest loyalty with free iPads

July 7, 2010

In an effort to appeal to its customers, Pandini's guests are getting free use of an iPad while they dine in the Germantown, Pa., store. Guests can use the…

Study: Customers will pay more for better service

July 6, 2010

A majority (61 percent) of Americans report that quality customer service is more important to them in today’s economic environment, and will spend an average…

Panera pay-what-you-want experiment to expand

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 28, 2010

Panera chairman Ronald Shaich has said he is pleased with the first month of his nonprofit store in Clayton, Mo., according to USAToday.com. Scaich plans to…

Cicerone program aims to burnish chain beer service

June 27, 2010

As artisan drinks – microdistilled spirits and craft beers – propagate, consumers have been catching on. At last week’s Technomic conference in Chicagoland…

The CEO apology: A new kind of brand booster?

How CEO apologies suit the tenor of the times and satisfy consumers' desire for connection with a company.

Market Force survey reveals Five Guys as consumer favorite

June 22, 2010

Five Guys Burgers and Fries is consumers' favorite quick-service/fast casual restaurant, according to a new survey conducted by Market Force Information…

Starbucks to offer free Wi-Fi

June 14, 2010

Appearing at WIRED's business conference, Disruptive by Design, Howard Schultz recounted the challenges of leading the Starbucks transformation following his…

Starbucks to offer free Wi-Fi

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June 14, 2010

Appearing at WIRED's business conference, Disruptive by Design, Howard Schultz recounted the challenges of leading the Starbucks transformation following his…

Taco Del Mar awards 'Grad Bucks' this graduation season

June 10, 2010

Taco Del Mar, a fast casual Mexican restaurant chain featuring Baja beach-style burritos and fish tacos, is honoring 2010 graduates throughout the United…