Why consumers spending more on business meals won't help fast casuals

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Limited-service restaurants wanting to target business-meal customers must present similarly to higher-end concepts.

More Thanksgiving dinners will include retailer-prepared dishes, survey finds

November 21, 2013

Nearly three out of 10 Americans plan to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner this year that includes at least one prepared ready-to-eat dish from a retailer…

Report: Fast casuals must offer more value to stay competitive

November 21, 2013

Due to consumers' budgets still being constrained, fast casual restaurants must find a way to provide more value in order to justify higher prices, according…

Courting customers as the economy turns around

Fast casuals must deliver a prime overall dining experience to avoid losing customers who can again afford upscale meals.

Millions relying on restaurants on Thanksgiving, Black Friday

November 19, 2013

New research from the National Restaurant Association found that 33 million Americans will rely on restaurants for all or parts of their Thanksgiving…

Papa Murphy's, McAlister's identified by consumers for offering value

November 18, 2013

Data from Technomic's Consumer Brand Metrics program, which surveys consumers about their most recent restaurant visits, confirms that top-rated restaurant…

Five Canadian restaurant trends for 2014

November 15, 2013

When it comes to eating out, Canadian consumers' foodservice preferences continue to evolve with numerous implications for restaurant operators, according to…

Is mass adoption of chicken wings killing the wing concepts?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Chicken wings are popping up on menus in every restaurant sector from pizza to QSRs.

Five UK restaurant trend predictions for 2014

November 13, 2013

Technomic has identified five key trends for 2014 that it expects to play major roles at British restaurants:

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf testing phone-charging stations

November 13, 2013

Powermat Technologies today launched a pilot program with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to bring Duracell Powermat wireless phone charging to consumers in the…

Survey: 84 percent more likely to return to retailers with loyalty programs

November 12, 2013

Nearly 60 percent of global respondents said that loyalty programs were available where they shopped, and of those, 84 percent said they were more likely to…

Vine vs. Instagram Video: Which platform is best for restaurants?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Video marketing may be the future of social media.

Demand for spicy food on the rise

November 7, 2013

A new report from market research firm Technomic shows that most consumers are willing to try a new menu item with an "innovative flavor," and are more likely…

Fiesta Group reports strong Q3 results

November 6, 2013

Revenues are up for Fiesta Restaurant Group, parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana. The chain reported that total revenues increased 9.8 percent to…

Soup's on: Sales up across foodservice industry

November 5, 2013

After several years of servings declines at restaurants and other foodservice channels, soup is on the rebound with U.S. consumers, reports The NPD Group.…

Report: Americans consuming more fruit, yogurt

November 1, 2013

Americans are shifting to healthier diets, which has helped to stabilize obesity levels, according to global information company, The NPD Group. NPD's 28th…

Report shows increase in hourly job hunters

November 1, 2013

Hourly job seekers are back on the hunt. According to a new Q3 report from Snagajob, there was a 4 percent increase in the number of job seekers who…

Sales, traffic fall across restaurant industry in September

October 31, 2013

As a result of softer sales and traffic levels and restaurant operators' dampened outlook for the economy, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant…

Franchise Business Index shows slowed growth

October 31, 2013

Growth of the Franchise Business Index slowed as the component measuring employment in franchise-intensive industries showed no monthly gain for the first time…

Social Commerce: The New Internet Frontier

People have been recommending products to friends through social media for years, but social commerce will give users the opportunity to make direct, one-click…