2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

Must-see events / products at the NRA Show

As you enter the show, aromas of mouthwatering food, sounds of equipment demonstrations and an expansive panorama of colorful exhibits envelop you.

Issues outside the kitchen

While you're cooking, the world is brewing with problems. From high gasoline prices to mad cow disease to avian bird flu, there's a lot more impacting your…

To wine or not to wine

Serving wine may be a venture worth looking into. Several fast casuals are boosting dinner sales with the alcoholic beverage.

There's more to salad than just lettuce

Panera Bread, Einstein Bagel Bros. and Atlanta Bread serve salad, so do Fazoli's, McAlister's and Schlotzsky's. Casual-dining restaurants serve up $8-$1…

The state of the London coffeehouse

Traditional cafés stave off Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks may have actually helped the once-dying London coffeehouse.

Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

March Madness by the wing

Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop and Wing Zone target sports fans. The three top wing chains are attempting to draw the March Madness crowd, young male…

Alterra Coffee owns Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee has created a cult-like following within the large Midwestern town.

Experts create the first virtual brand

Camp Out Grill is not real. For now, it's a virtual brand.

Chipotle's IPO success influences fast-casual growth

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Fast-casual restaurants as a whole are racking up impressive numbers, but are they enough to sustain Wall Street's appetite?

The truth behind organic and all-natural foods

Organic foods are a growing trend, but USDA fines restaurants up to $10,000 for misuse of the regulated term.

Taco Del Mar keeps on growing and growing

In 2005, Taco Del Mar grew from 111 restaurants to 189.

Trading product for air time

In every episode of the Showtime series "Weeds," a character drinks It's A Grind coffee. The only catch is Showtime requested fresh-brewed coffee.

Super Bowl Sunday is big business

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend $5.3 billion preparing for or executing Super Bowl-related activities.

Contactless payment equals time and money saved

When compared to the time it takes to write a check, swiping a traditional credit card is blisteringly fast.

Card use increases for small purchases

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Consumers buy more with plastic than cash.

How to create a super brand

by Janelle Barlow — President, TMI US

Just about every new restaurant chain would love to become a super brand.