Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes touts healthy family meals

March 8, 2011

Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes restaurants nationwide are making healthy eating a family effort this month. Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp., parent company of 11…

Foursquare ups restaurant-marketing ante

March 8, 2011

Foursquare has developed a new version of its application that will include a new “explore” button in place of its current "tips" section.

Farm-to-fork trend inspiring operators

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

As the use of farm-branded ingredients continue to be a growing trend on restaurant menus, farm-to-fork purchasing companies are picking up speed.

Qdoba Mexican Grill rolls out Mini Street Tacos

March 7, 2011

Qdoba Mexican Grill has introduced its Mini Street Tacos menu item to more than 500 restaurants nationwide. The tacos are available only for a limited time…

A trend is more than one

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

For the last few months I have read over and over that menu labeling does not have an effect on ordering or calorie reduction. These articles have all been…

NPD: Restaurant visits up in second half of 2010

March 1, 2011

Although visits to U.S. restaurants are still below the level registered six years ago, there were signs of improvement in the second half of 2010, according…

Bruegger's Bottomless Mug campaign raises $90,000

February 28, 2011

Bruegger's announced it will donate approximately $90,000 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as a result of its "Bottomless Mug" campaign, which ran from…

Schlotzsky’s returns three chee-zy promo

February 28, 2011

Schlotzsky’s has returned its Cheezy Three-zy sandwiches,  -- the Chicken & Bacon Smoke Cheezy, Turkey & Bacon Smoke Cheezy and Ribeye Steak &…

Mintel research: Customers want healthy breakfast options

February 28, 2011

According to the latest research from Mintel, 66 percent of customers want restaurants to provide them with healthier breakfast options. The healthy eating…

Weather leads to restaurant performance decline

February 27, 2011

The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index stood at 100.2 in January, down 0.8 percent from its December level. Despite the decline…

Consumers moving away from comfort

February 27, 2011

Culinary Tides Inc. has released a new report “Shifting Sands 2011,” that is a cross analysis of predictions across government, technology, health, consumer…

NBC offers free Chipotle for America's Next Great Restaurant promo

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 24, 2011

NBC has launched a promotion with Chipotle in anticipation of its new television show, America’s Next Great Restaurant.

Commentary: Coffee wars shift to oatmeal

Foodservice giants have upped the ante on menu competition, and McDonald's recent introduction of oatmeal is the perfect example.

NRA names 2011 Kitchen Innovation award winners

February 22, 2011

The National Restaurant Association has announced the recipients of its 2011 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award, which recognizes groundbreaking kitchen equipment…

Hold the salt: 5 quick tips for serving low sodium menu items

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Cutting out the salt to make dishes healthier is no new concept; however, cooking without the salt can be a challenging and daunting task. That’s why we…

Boston Market completes restaurant upgrades

February 21, 2011

Boston Market has announced that 400 of the company’s restaurants have completed upgrades meant to enhance the customer experience, increase sales and reduce…

Pho expands executive team

February 20, 2011

Vietnamese restaurant group Pho has appointed Zoe Tindall as its first financial director. Tindall is a former finance director of Yo! Sushi.

Trouble brewing between Starbucks, Green Mountain

February 20, 2011

According to The Montreal Gazette, Starbucks Corp. is trying to negotiate better terms with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. in an attempt to establish…

Tin Star embarks on Texas-sized turnaround

By Steve Coomes

Caribbean, Japanese flavors increase on restaurant menus

February 16, 2011

According to Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD), lesser-known ethnic fare has experienced a robust product growth in the consumer marketplace.