Blurring of the lines between QSR and Fast Casual

By Mindy Armstrong, Insights Manager, Food IQ 

Mobile: What your customers are using

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Panel discusses trends in the table and delivery service spaces as they apply to restaurant strategies.

NRA Show 2012: A display of industry growth

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

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

Healthy beverage evolution: Have we come full circle?

How American consumers are once again searching for healthier beverage options.

2012 Top 10 food trends include “heirloom foods”

In addition to the Top 5 food trends for 2012 that I discussed in my previous post, here's my prediction for trend concepts No. 6 through 10.

Health and wellness: A fight against obesity

From offering lower calorie menus to baking side items, the restaurant industry needs to do its part in supporting healthy changes.

NRA: Fast casual operators optimistic about 2012 sales gains

Total restaurant industry sales will reach a record high of $632 billion in 2012, a 3.5 percent increase over 2011.

Top 5 2012 food innovation product predictions

A look at what might be the biggest 2012 food innovation trend opportunities.

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…

Restaurants adapt to 'new normal' with efficiency, innovation

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Mergers and acquisitions market won't be as active in 2012.

NPD: Fast Casual only growth segment during down economy

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

According to The NPD Group, fast casual is the only restaurant segment continuing to grow throughout the current economic time, which has motivated chains in…

Restaurant industry's 2012 trends shaped by demographics, nutrition

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

NPD Group's research also expects retail competition to increase and commodity prices to affect menu offerings.

Gluten free goes mainstream

Gluten-free menu claims have grown 114 percent over the last three years, proving that consumers beyond those diagnosed with celiac disease are eating…

Restaurant industry has strong showing in Entrepreneur's top franchise rankings

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Magazine's annual rankings of top franchised companies weigh stability, growth rate, size of the system, startup costs and more.

Commentary: What restaurant marketing trends will emerge in 2012?

Fast casual players are starting to look like two different groups, perhaps three, including "Fine Fast Casual," "Quick Fast Casual" and "Chain Fast Casual…

2011: The five stories and trends that shaped the year

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

As we look back on 2011, several stories and trends stand out among the rest. Here's a look at our top picks.

Beverage innovation becoming a necessity

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

When McDonald's introduced its McCafe concept in 2009, plenty of skeptics thought the burger-and-fry giant was out of its league. But as the coffee line grew…

African cuisine gains consumer appeal

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

How Safari and Safari Express provide key insights into the lives of their owners and the flavors found in East African cuisine.

An American Food Culture: Rising and Thriving

By Mindy Armstrong, Insights Manager, FoodIQ 

Study: Daily deal promotions generate new customers

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Many concerns about offering such deals are overstated.