NRA: Embracing technology, menu trends key in 2014

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The industry will employ 13.5 million in 990,000 units, and restaurant job growth will outpace the overall job growth rate.

Cowboy Chicken's intros low-cal menu

January 16, 2014

Dallas-based Cowboy Chicken has created a new Low Cal Corral Menu to help customers wanting to eat healthy. The menu offers five meals under 500 calories…

Trend watch: Potatoes are a center-plate food

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Just as the salad once moved from the sidelines to become a star entree, the potato is coming off the bench.

A look into the menu crystal ball: Top 3 trends of 2014

Why eggs, tea and local produce will grab the spotlight.

Digital agency forecasts restaurant tech trends

January 14, 2014

The team at Dreambox Creations, a digital agency for the restaurant industry, has forecasted five tech trends that restaurateurs should consider for 2014. They…

Pei Wei 'reFRESHES' menu, look

January 14, 2014

As individuals across the country make New Year's resolutions, Pei Wei Asian Diner has resolved to "reFRESH" nationwide with a new year full of new options.

United Fresh launches new quarterly report, webinar series

January 7, 2014

United Fresh Produce Association has launched "Fresh Insights for Foodservice," a new quarterly report showcasing the latest trends in fresh produce use in…

Fast casuals targeting New Year's resolutioners

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Will skinny-seeking consumers fatten up your profits?

Restaurant lunch traffic experiences uptick globally

January 6, 2014

Britain's restaurant and foodservice industry benefited from the area's mild weather with strong visit and spending growth in the third quarter, according to…

Survey shows small business optimism for 2014

January 3, 2014

ShopKeep POS, a provider of cloud-based business management software for the retail and restaurant industries, recently surveyed more than 640 small businesses…

Restaurant traffic levels hit 5-month high in November

January 2, 2014

Driven by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index hit a five-month high in…

Restaurant Trend Mashup: What to expect in 2014

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Experts discuss how restaurants should embrace this year's food, marketing and technology trends.

Fast casual execs predict 2014 menu trends

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Healthy, tasty cuisine will be all the rage in 2014.

How to keep your menu relevant in the new year

Tracking flavor trends throughout the year will allow restaurants to maintain menu relevance for core consumer groups.

'Tis the Season for mGifting and rewarding

Sending gift cards via digital and mobile channels has increased eight times since 2012.

Urbanspoon examines top dining trends of the year

December 20, 2013

Urbanspoon has released its Top Dining Trends of 2013 report, taking a look at the biggest dining trends of the year based on a survey of food bloggers and…

Fast Casual Social Media Top 10 [infographic]

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

A look at how the largest fast casual restaurants in the U.S. stack up on social media.

Five foodservice trends to watch for in '14

December 19, 2013

The U.S. restaurant industry has experienced modest growth in the past few years, and research firm Mintel estimates sales of $438 billion in 2013, as well as…

Infographic: Fast Casual Social Media Top 10

A look at how the largest fast casual chains in the U.S. stack up on social media.

NPD reports restaurant visits flat, consumer spending up

December 18, 2013

NPD's Crest foodservice tracking shows restaurant traffic remained flat for the bulk of the year compared to last year, and forecasts the year will end the…