2012 Top 10 food trends include “heirloom foods”

In addition to the Top 5 food trends for 2012 that I discussed in my previous post, here's my prediction for trend concepts No. 6 through 10.

Is your restaurant stuck in a monkey trap?

by Nate DaPore — President and CEO, PeopleMatter

From switching out the décor to updating technology, restaurateurs must take chances to keep their business fresh.

Serving sizes lead label-readers astray, what will restaurant menus do?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Healthy framing has the greatest influence with consumers who are most concerned about their diets, and restaurant operators should focus on portion sizes…

Mintel: 2012 restaurant economic prospects look positive

March 13, 2012

Interest in where food comes from, as well as changes in restaurant spending will both be driving the foodservice rollercoaster in 2012, according to market…

More consumers heading to restaurants for a snack

March 13, 2012

Consumers are snacking significantly more now than they were two years ago. Almost half (48 percent) of consumers polled say they're now snacking at least…

Restaurant unit count drops in fall 2011

March 12, 2012

The total U.S. restaurant unit count dropped from 587,335 in Fall 2010 to 580,852 in Fall 2011, mostly due to independent restaurant closings. The data…

NRA awards 18 Food and Beverage Product Innovations Awards

March 8, 2012

The National Restaurant Association has announced the recipients of the 2012 Food and Beverage Product Innovations Awards, which recognize consumable products…

Restaurant operators report positive sales for 8th consecutive month

February 29, 2012

The outlook for the restaurant industry is positive for the coming months, as the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) remained…

Starbucks earns high customer experience ratings

February 29, 2012

Chick-fil-A and Subway tied with Starbucks to earn the top customer experience ratings in the restaurant industry, out of 17 total chains.

Restaurant beer sales rise nearly 10 percent in 2011

February 29, 2012

The Beer Institute released new data showing that the value of beer sales in restaurants rose more than 9 percent in 2011, totaling about $23.6 billion in…

Live from New York

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

The International Restaurant and Foodservice Show, set for the first weekend in March, will include a new Healthy Solutions Pavilion this year.

Health and wellness: A fight against obesity

From offering lower calorie menus to baking side items, the restaurant industry needs to do its part in supporting healthy changes.

Ben & Jerry's rolls out line of Greek frozen yogurt

February 23, 2012

Ben & Jerry’s has launched a line of four Greek frozen yogurt flavors, staying on trend with the food trend. The four flavors are being released this month…

NRA: Fast casual operators optimistic about 2012 sales gains

Total restaurant industry sales will reach a record high of $632 billion in 2012, a 3.5 percent increase over 2011.

Top 5 2012 food innovation product predictions

A look at what might be the biggest 2012 food innovation trend opportunities.

Commentary: Five key secrets of social loyalty

For restaurant operators, 2011 was a better year than 2010. But with continuing unemployment in the U.S. and Europe, and slow economic growth forecasts for…

When is food service NOT a restaurant?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

If you own a place that sells prepared food for people to eat, you're in the restaurant business, right? Not necessarily.

Restaurants adapt to 'new normal' with efficiency, innovation

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Mergers and acquisitions market won't be as active in 2012.

Report: Soups and salads appearing more on menus

February 13, 2012

Away-from-home soup and salad purchases are on the rise, as consumers seek light, healthy and affordable fare, according to new research from Technomic.

NPD: Fast Casual only growth segment during down economy

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

According to The NPD Group, fast casual is the only restaurant segment continuing to grow throughout the current economic time, which has motivated chains in…