From wobbly table fixes to herbal refrigerators, innovation was on display at NRA (Part 1)

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

More than 45,000 buyers in the restaurant industry hit Chicago this week to check out the thousands of products and services on display at the National…

5 reasons your restaurant loyalty program stinks

by Andrew Gazdecki — Owner, 1988

Paytronix report examines how to draw less frequent guests into loyalty program

May 22, 2017

Paytronix Systems Inc. has released a report that examines key metrics on guest loyalty programs. The report found that the majority of new members that join a…

Marco's adds Best Pizza Franchise designation to awards

May 17, 2017

Marco's Pizza is having its day. A Harris poll announced Tuesday that the brand made its Top 5 list for brand equity, and now the chain has been…

Harris Poll: Millennials crave QSRs and coffee; Boomers bypass pizza

May 16, 2017

Despite restaurant traffic data showing a decline in April QSR traffic, Harris Poll released data today saying that millennials prefer quick-service…

Millennials love burger discounts, Gen X favors Mexican fare price cuts

May 16, 2017

A new national consumer report regarding restaurant and take-out dining habits reveals 53 percent have at least one food/mobile app on their smartphone and 7…

The anti-app: why messaging is the new loyalty program

More than 60 percent of smartphone users download an average of zero apps every month, and most of those are opened only once. Roughly 75 percent of consumers…

White Castle, Burger 21 celebrate 'Hamburger Month'

May 5, 2017

A number of hamburger-focused chains are pushing sales this month by promoting National Hamburger Month. White Castle leads the charge as the "official…

Caffeine-infused bagel perks up Einstein Bros menu

May 4, 2017

Caffeine addicts have a new way to get their fix, thanks to the Espresso Buzz Bagel.

Carolinas' Shuckin' Shack finds recycling shells sells

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Oyster restaurants are at the forefront of a shell-recycling movement that not only may again make Chesapeake Bay a hotbed of oyster activity but also serves…

Webinar: Are you getting the biggest bang for your franchise marketing buck?

May 1, 2017

As restaurateurs, you not only sell to diners every day, but also simultaneously to future franchisees who may either be among those diners, in the local…

Pinkberry/Paytronix promotion reveals open rates' 'dirty little secret'

April 26, 2017

Last Independence Day, Pinkberry generated a few of its own fireworks when it launched a wildly successful double points ice cream promotion using the brand's…

3 execs describe how to take on the world without losing your brand

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Taking a brand to another country is one of the most complex challenges a brand's leadership can undertake. At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit…

Restaurant industry upbeat for 2017; big year for digital marketing

April 24, 2017

This year promises to be a lucrative one for the restaurant industry, according to the Toast Restaurant POS "Restaurant Success in 2017 Industry Report," which…

HuHot launches carry-out program with photo contest

April 19, 2017

HuHot is implementing carry-out in all of its units after a successful test run with two franchisee groups, according to a company press release. One group…

Rising Roll reinvents image, franchising

April 19, 2017

Rising Roll is releasing a new restaurant design, a new logo, an expanded menu and an updated service model, according to a press release. Most importantly…

Mobile Vending University helps prepare food truck owners

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Mobile Vending University provides a certified course in operating a food truck in Pasco, Washington. The attendees are taught by subject matter experts in all…

Restaurants dish out savings to soothe the stressed tax filer

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Restaurants are doing their part to calm the masses with money-saving deals on Tuesday, the nation's day of shared tax-paying pain.

3 ways to engage millennials and Gen Z

Research shows that Gen Zers are more careful about how much they spend at restaurants, but they, along with millennials, are increasing their away-from-home…

Pita Pit launches online game to promote LTO

April 13, 2017

Pita Pit is relying on gaming to introduce its latest LTO —  the Baja Chicken Bacon Ranch pita, which includes grilled chicken, thinly carved bacon, romaine…