Restaurants ask Congress for broader menu labeling

July 21, 2009

As more states and communities continue to draft their own menu labeling regulations, including California, Massachusetts and Maine, 21 limited- and…

Food chains, packaging firms initiate recycling campaign in NYC

July 8, 2009

NEW YORK — Global Green's Coalition for Resource Recovery gathered 80 participants for a "value chain caucus" aimed at diverting prepared food packaging from…

Einstein Noah to present at consumer conference

July 7, 2009

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has announced that Rick Dutkiewicz, chief financial officer, and James O'Reilly, chief concept officer, will…

Panera Bread launches meeting invite service in Indianapolis

July 7, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS — On July 7, the 14 Indianapolis-area Panera Bread locations will begin offering a free meeting invitation service to enable patrons to schedule…

White House outlines U.S. food safety upgrade

Steps designed to enhance food safety include new industry guidelines for produce.

Pat & Oscar's rolls out $5 pizza meals

July 5, 2009

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — "Five Big Choices, Five Little Bucks," is the theme on the menu this summer at Pat & Oscar's Restaurants. The restaurant chain…

Fast casual food trends: 2009 and beyond

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

From probiotics to family meals, restaurant brands tackle healthful menu items and value offerings.

The mobile restaurant

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

New cell phone applications include consumer feedback capabilities, and create a lasting interactive presence with the consumer.

Share Our Strength to offer Great American Dine Out training webinars

June 23, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out, a week-long, nationwide charitable event in which thousands of participating restaurants…

Pizza Fusion to be sold in schools, universities

June 16, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Compass Group North America and Pizza Fusion have announced a strategic partnership to expand the organic restaurant into schools and…

Enhancing the customer experience

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Three fast casuals that have turned obvious customer-service approaches into benchmarks for success.

UFood Grill joins Healthy Dining

May 5, 2009

BOSTON — UFood Grill has announced it has joined Healthy Dining and the online resource www.HealthyDiningFinder.com, in an effort to take a giant step forward…

Le Pain Quotidien remains true to its roots

Belgian fast casual incorporates sustainability throughout its operation.

Starbucks goes gluten-free

April 20, 2009

Restaurants & Institutions: Starbucks Corp. will begin selling a gluten-free pastry in U.S. stores next month in response to customer requests.   The…

Better burgers beef up sales

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The fast casual burger segment opens wide as new concepts enter the field and existing ones look toward growth.  

TableTop media names David T. Miller as partner

April 15, 2009

DALLAS — TableTop Media LLC, creators of Ziosk, the first pay-on-demand and digital promotion device for the restaurant industry, has announced the appointment…

Schlotzsky's changes service model

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

In an effort to enhance the brand experience, the sandwich chain is beefing up service and operational procedures.

Meal deals gain fast casual presence

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

While QSR's tout $1 menus, fast casuals are defining their own version of value.

Restaurants on the Run acquires delivery company

November 11, 2008

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Restaurants on the Run has acquired Corona, Calif.-based food delivery service Dine Out-In, the company announced. This is Restaurants on…

Fast casual facelift

Keeping a store's image up to date is essential but is it worth the cost?