Top 5 things we didn't know we should be afraid of - Part II

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Researchers have found no consistent relationship between participants' driving distance to QSR joints and their weight over a 30-year span

Burger 21 goes gluten-free

May 1, 2012

Burger 21, a concept founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., kicks off Celiac Awareness Month by introducing a gluten-free menu in…

Market Force study shows companies wield social media influence

April 30, 2012

Social media posts by businesses influence consumers’ buying decisions as much as their friends’ posts do, according to a new study from Market Force…

Restaurant industry turns in strongest post-recession quarter

April 30, 2012

Driven by solid same-store sales and traffic results and an increasingly bullish outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's…

Organic industry grew nearly 10 percent in 2011

April 26, 2012

The U.S. organic industry grew by 9.5 percent overall in 2011 to reach $31.5 billion in sales.

Top 5 things we didn't know we should be afraid of - part I

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

A study found that only 8 to 12 percent of gluten-free consumers said they bought gluten-free products because they or a member of their household has celiac…

Starbucks listed on EPA's Top 50 green organizations

April 24, 2012

Starbucks (No. 8) is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) updated list of the Top 50 Green Power Partnership organizations voluntarily…

If it's Monday, this must be meatless

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

While diners can see some personal benefits — like weight loss — from a Meatless Monday regime, restaurants can see some real bottom-line benefits.

Healthy beverage evolution: Have we come full circle?

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

Franchise lending on a steady upswing

April 17, 2012

Franchise lending has steadily increased throughout the past 12 months, according to the new monthly Franchise Lending Index from the International Franchise…

China leads global foodservice market recovery

April 17, 2012

Despite a continuously unpredictable global economy, there was a slight recovery for the global foodservice markets in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to…

Healthful, flavorful meals top trends at QSRs, fast casuals

April 9, 2012

As diners become more sophisticated in their tastes and desire for flavorful, healthful foods, quick-service and fast casual operators are plating up…

New Einstein Bros. location first to serve dinner

April 5, 2012

Local husband and wife team, Jon and Yvonne Kidder, have opened the newest Einstein Bros. Bagels location in Farragut, Tenn. It is the chain's first location…

Restaurant operators continue to report positive sales, optimism

April 2, 2012

Bolstered by positive same-store sales and traffic results and an optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's…

NRA survey shows demand for online, smartphone presence

March 28, 2012

The restaurant industry was one of the first to come back from the recession, and for 2012, the National Restaurant Association's Forecast predicts a record…

Culinary Tide's 2012 top trends

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Culinary Tides, Inc. released the report: "Top 10 Trends Analysis - Shifting Sands 2012: A cross analysis of predictions across Government, Technology, Health…

Report: Expectations rise for restaurant industry

March 27, 2012

The American restaurant industry is starting to benefit from a rise in consumer spending and foot traffic, albeit from a diminished base, according to the 22nd…

Report: Soup and salad purchases increase

March 26, 2012

As consumers seek lighter, healthier and more affordable food choices, away-from-home soup and salad purchases are on the rise, according to market research…

Mintel: Local produce edging out organic in terms of consumer importance

March 21, 2012

According to the latest research data from Mintel, locally purchased fruits and vegetables by grocery stores and restaurants are now more important to…

Report shows a jump in chain restaurant growth

March 20, 2012

The 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains registered a 3.4 percent annual sales increase in 2011, a sharp improvement over 1.8 percent the prior year, according…