Qdoba franchisee same-store sales lagging

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Promotional and product activity expected to pick up in Q4.

The new direction of digital technology

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

With smartphone adoption outpacing the PC revolution and Internet boom, restaurant operators have increased opportunity to reach every guest.

Restaurant chains get into the Olympic spirit

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Brands using Facebook to offer promotions, engage fans.

Panera Bread sales success boosted by investment initiatives

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The company sees gains at it continues to improve marketing, catering, operational and food quality.

Will Instagram become a more effective marketing tool than Facebook?

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

How major chains are using the photo-sharing site to engage with loyal customers.

Colorado restaurant chains pitch in for wildfire relief

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Operators donating food and linking social media sites to American Red Cross page.

Using customer feedback to give location-specific, actionable insight

Gleaning location-specific insight from online conversations is the key to driving positive reviews.

Caribou Coffee prefers middle path to sales success

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Caribou Coffee's senior vice president of marketing and product development prefers a slow and steady pace when it comes to brand positioning.

Commentary: Is the restaurant industry overusing 'innovation?'

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

The term 'innovation' has been called 'a chameleon-like word to hide the lack of substance.'

Commentary: Does your brand image match its experience?

It is imperative that marketing and operations work hand in hand to produce a strong brand.

Eat or be eaten: Three steps to restaurant nirvana

To have a concept that resonates with customers, every aspect of its development must come together to create a clear, concise experience.

Jimmy John's founder a case study in risk-reward

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Jimmy John Liautaud offers some advice for franchising during NRA Show panel.

NRA Show 2012: A display of industry growth

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Social media, mobile and point-of-sale trends have evolved.

Small details keeps customers coming back

How small details can mean big returns for operators and their guests.

More restaurant chains aiming for green certification

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Since 2008, the number of Green Certified Restaurants has accelerated significantly.

Caribou Coffee uses social media to spearhead evolution

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Caribou Coffee underwent a brand relaunch in late 2009 and is using social media to ensure its evolution continues down the right path.

The difference between social marketing and social operational insights

Operators can extract both marketing and operational insights from online feedback, but first they must understand the differences between the two.

Cosi CEO Carin Stutz talks brand turnaround

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

How Cosi's new CEO plans to rebrand, reimage and rebuild the chain.

Commentary: Pinterest offers restaurants another way to communicate with customers

Editor's note: This post was originally published on SmartBlog on Restaurants. For more foodservice news, sign up for Restaurant SmartBrief.

Commentary: Five key secrets of social loyalty

For restaurant operators, 2011 was a better year than 2010. But with continuing unemployment in the U.S. and Europe, and slow economic growth forecasts for…