Restaurants sign up for new cause-based mobile app

March 13, 2012

A handful of restaurants have signed up for ValuedPatron Marketing Services LLC's new Eat-A-Bite, Give-A-Bit smartphone application that helps patrons and…

Mintel: 2012 restaurant economic prospects look positive

March 13, 2012

Interest in where food comes from, as well as changes in restaurant spending will both be driving the foodservice rollercoaster in 2012, according to market…

More consumers heading to restaurants for a snack

March 13, 2012

Consumers are snacking significantly more now than they were two years ago. Almost half (48 percent) of consumers polled say they're now snacking at least…

Boston Market names chief brand officer

March 12, 2012

Boston Market Corporation has named Sara Rosenberg Bittorf as chief brand officer. Bittorf, who most recently served as vice president of marketing for…

Solo Cup unveils Trophy Plus for both hot and cold applications

March 12, 2012

A dual-temperature insulated cup with better rigidity and enhanced glossy appearance is being launched by Solo Foodservice to help operators boost beverage…

Zaxby's ranks No. 7 in customer satisfaction survey

March 12, 2012

Zaxby’s has been ranked number seven in the Top 10 Excellent Large Fast-Food Chains with 500 or more U.S. units in the recently published Quick-Track study…

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group appoints chief restaurant officer

March 11, 2012

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the appointment of Brian L. Unger to chief restaurant officer, a newly created position at the company. Unger…

Starbucks takes localization approach to Europe

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

In 2009, Starbucks Corp. renovated several Seattle locations to better reflect the neighborhoods in which the coffeehouses were settled. The company is now…

Johnny Carros joins MOOYAH as franchise consultant

March 8, 2012

Restaurant-industry veteran Johnny Carros is joining MOOYAH as its new franchise business consultant, the company has announced.

Corner Bakery Cafe hires VP of franchise sales

March 7, 2012

On the heels of signing several multi-unit franchise deals in 2011, Corner Bakery Cafe has named hospitality industry veteran Jonathan Benjamin as vice…

Panera Bread to boost ad spend, cites fast casual competition

March 7, 2012

Panera Bread Co. has announced its plans to increase its media investment in 2012 by 26 percent, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal.

Pizza Fusion plans Vegas unit

March 7, 2012

Pizza Fusion will open a new restaurant in the Las Vegas area this spring.

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.

Firehouse Subs posts strong same-store sales, unit growth in 2011

March 6, 2012

Firehouse Subs surpassed its company goals and industry averages in 2011, resulting in a record-breaking year. The brand grew by 79 restaurants for a total for…

Pinkberry names retail exec to board of directors

March 6, 2012

Pinkberry has announced that leading retail executive Betsy McLaughlin is joining the company’s board of directors.

Gloves! The Controversy Continues - Part 3

by Paul Mcginnis — Vice President, Marketing, Ecolab Food Safety Specialties

If glove use is going to be effective, several factors should be considered when designing a disposable glove program. Size is vitally important to ensure the…

Restaurant chains join Healthy Dining's new School Wellness program

March 6, 2012

Healthy Dining has announced the rollout of a research-based initiative, the "Healthy Dining School Wellness Rewards Program," designed to contribute to the…

Einstein Noah posts positive Q4, FY 2011 results

March 5, 2012

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group reported an 8.6 percent increase in revenue for the company's fourth quarter ended Jan. 3. Revenue increased to $115.1 million…

Order entry should be frontline when it comes to catering

by Erle Dardick — CEO, Monkeymedia

The order-entry experience may be the single most important component of the catering order-to-cash cycle. It is the first point of contact to your…

Unique Pizza and Subs plans to purchase Pizza Fusion

March 5, 2012

Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, has signed a letter of intent to purchase Boca Raton, Fla.-based Pizza Fusion Holdings.