CEO of Muscle Maker Grill pumped about growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A focus on healthy food and customer service has fueled the chain's growth.

NRA: Restaurant job growth hit 17-year high in 2012

February 7, 2013

The restaurant industry added jobs at double the rate of the overall economy in 2012, and the National Restaurant Association expects this trend to continue in…

Restaurant Rescue: 4 tips for flipping a failing restaurant

If your establishment is struggling, despite a terrific location, exciting concept, appealing menu and outstanding quality of food and service, perhaps it’s…

Pancheros names Reinhart vendor of the year

February 7, 2013

Pancheros has announced its recipient of the Vendor of the Year Award, Reinhart Food Service. A distributor of food and paper items for the brand, Reinhart was…

Panera Bread appoints new VP, CFO

February 6, 2013

Panera Bread Company has appointed Roger C. Matthews Jr. as the chain's executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective March 18.

Growth in pork demand necessitates supply chain discipline

February 6, 2013

Rabobank has published a new research report on the global pork industry which states that as a result of continuing high feed costs, the key success factor…

Create Your Own App platform available for restauants

February 6, 2013

As more customers use their mobile devices for information, directions, take-out orders and reservations, restaurants using mobile apps to engage with their…

Schlotzsky's comeback story: The days of bankruptcy are long gone

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Schlotzsky's President Kelly Roddy discusses how the chain's rebranding helped to put it back on top.

Chef-restaurateurs collaborate for new fast casual pizza concept

February 1, 2013

Chefs Rodelio Aglibot (Koi, Yi Cuisine, Sunda, BLT) and Frank Fronda (Napa Valley Grille, Cafe del Rey, Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire), the founding partners…

Boston Market exec goes 'Undercover' to study operations

The chain's chief brand officer discusses her appearance on "Undercover Boss" and the restaurant's recent rebranding efforts.

Restaurant traffic declines in December, but outlook is up

January 31, 2013

Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in…

Anthony Bourdain named a featured speaker for NRA Show

January 30, 2013

Anthony Bourdain — best known for his Emmy Award-winning series "No Reservations" and new programs "The Taste" on ABC and "Parts Unknown" on CNN — has been…

Report: Majority of consumers now use mobile food ordering tools

January 29, 2013

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and its Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence, in partnership with Viggle, have released the "Mealtime Goes Mobile…

Catering company ramps up momentum with expanded restaurant network

January 29, 2013

Phoodeez, a Boston-based company that specializes in partnering with those in need of catering with restaurants, has launched its Frequent Phoodeez program and…

Smashburger debuts restaurant makeover

The chain celebrated its 200th opening this month by debuting a new interior design.

Starbucks announces profitable Q1

January 24, 2013

Starbucks Corp. today reported during an investor relations call that the company ended Q1 with strong comparable store sales growth in the U.S. and Americas…

McAlister's Frank Paci planning for growth in 2013

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

High-quality food and service have propelled the brand's growth.

Women's Foodservice Forum sets restaurant tour date

January 22, 2013

Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) announced the schedule of its Women Making Their Mark Tour which takes place during the Annual Leadership Development…

LYFE Kitchen names director of franchise development

January 22, 2013

LYFE Kitchen Restaurant has named Stacy Soderstrom as director of franchise development. Soderstrom will lead the charge of recruiting franchisee candidates to…

Restaurants with engaged employees rank high in customer satisfaction

January 21, 2013

Restaurants with the most engaged employees experience exponentially righer customer satisfaction ratings, according to research from management consulting…