Green trends take root at Mid-Atlantic Expo

Energy efficiency, green products highlight of show.

NRA show highlights industry's best

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

More than 2,000 exhibitors displayed at the 2007 restaurant show.

Coffee wars

The market for specialty coffee heats up.

Restaurants tune in, turn up

Operators keep their ears open to brand reinforcement.

High time for tea

Flavors and brands bloom as beverage popularity grows.  

Pretty in plastic

Move over metal, disposable tableware is stepping up.

Sustainable farming grows on chefs

Farm-to-table forges ahead as one of the restaurant industry's fastest-growing eco trends.

Earth-friendly fare

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

As restaurants go green, options for operators grow in numbers.

Brawling over breakfast

The fast-casual battle for breakfast is shaping up to be a bruiser.

Bruegger's keeps on rollin'

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Marking its 11th consecutive quarter of growth, Bruegger's CEO Jim Greco looks toward the future.

Minimum wage, maximum impact

With the Senate passing its own version of a bill to increase minimum wage, where the issue will land is anybody's guess.

Building brand loyalty

Fast casuals are looking to loyalty programs to boost revenue and increase repeat traffic.

Pizza operators develop fast-casual concepts

Following the trend: Several pizza players are jumping on the fast-casual bandwagon.

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

Trans-fat bans based on junk science

Columnist says anti-trans-fat research isn't thorough enough to enact restaurant trans-fat bans.

Quiznos terminates franchisees on heels of suicide

The sub chain reacts swiftly following the Web-posting of a franchisee's alleged note.

Fast-casual customers eat alone

Appeal to single diners to make sales grow.

Fast-casual wannabes

Casual-dining restaurants and QSRs create fast-casual concepts to meet customer demand.

Trials and tribulations of a fast-casual independent operator

How one woman handles adversity and keeps her restaurant growing.

Panera CEO: There is no such thing as fast casual

The CEO talks about what makes Panera special and why his bakery café should not be lumped into the fast-casual segment.