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…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill partners with Mocapay

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September 6, 2010

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has entered into a strategic partnership with Denver-based Mocapay for its mobile marketing solutions, to be used at Garbanzo’s…

Einstein Bros. partners with Starlight Children's Foundation

August 31, 2010

Einstein Bros. Bagels has signed a partnership with Starlight Children's Foundation to sponsor a Fun Center mobile entertainment unit in each Starlight…

A trend walks into the unemployment office

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

He sat patiently on the hard little chair, not sure what to expect. The paper in his hand seemed small and sparse but it would have to do. The door opposite…

BBI digital branding campaign deemed a success

August 26, 2010

Beautiful Brands International, which launched a digital branding initiative for Camille's Sidewalk Cafe and FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe, announced that the…

Jamba Juice swipes for charity

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August 25, 2010

Jamba Juice has announced the launch of “Sip to Support,” a 10 percent give-back swipe card fundraising program, as part of the company's commitment to…

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…

Central Florida readies for another Buffalo Wild Wings

August 23, 2010

Clermont will be the location for the seventh Buffalo Wild Wings Florida location, set to open Aug. 27. Sunshine Restaurant Corp. is the Central Florida…

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…

Greatness: Accelerating the Recovery, Part II

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Why the key to accelerating the recovery is to narrow your focus.

California Tortilla to host 16th annual Pop-Tart Day

August 18, 2010

Just a few days after the opening of the highly anticipated Pop-Tarts World in New York City, California Tortilla is giving pop-tart enthusiasts another reason…

The Popeye principle (or, "I am what I am.")

by Lori Walderich — CMO, Top That! Pizza

While it's understandable that brands evolve, concept evolution has to make sense.

UFood Grill forms partnership with HealthCorps to fight teen obesity

August 16, 2010

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced that it has created a cause marketing partnership with HealthCorps Inc., a New York-based national non-profit…

Moe’s invests in local-store marketing strategy

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

August 12, 2010

As part of its initiative to refresh in Moe's Southwest Grill, the restaurant chain has invested more than $250,000 in a new grassroots marketing effort to…

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…

Fast casuals find multiple uses for the iPad

While debate exists in regard to the iPad's use in restaurants, several operators are finding creative ways to incorporate the device into their daily…

How to take advantage of menu labeling's marketing potential

The menu labeling mandate offers a prime opportunity for brand challenge.

Jamba Juice enters multi-year partnership with WNBA

August 4, 2010

The Women's National Basketball Association and Jamba Juice have entered into a comprehensive multiyear relationship – Jamba Juice's first with a professional…

Chipotle's kids' menu added in Minnesota

July 26, 2010

Chipotle Mexican Grill first introduced its kids' menu in Denver last year and has since increased its availability, including a recent debut in Chicago.