Restaurant industry recovery stalled in July

Like a flight out of a stormy harbor, the restaurant industry's performance hit a string of jarring turbulence last month. The National Restaurant…

A trend walks into the unemployment office

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

He sat patiently on the hard little chair, not sure what to expect. The paper in his hand seemed small and sparse but it would have to do. The door opposite…

Report reveals fast casual obstacles to growth

August 26, 2010

Mintel's recent foodservice survey and report on fast casual concludes what many in the limited service segment already know – the enduring growth of the…

Are we missing something?

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Recently Market Force ran a series of studies with over 4,00 consumers to investigate their attitudes and behaviors around fast casual and family restaurants…

Starbucks, Panera Bread and In-N-Out top Zagat 'best of'

August 15, 2010

Zagat has revealed the results of its latest survey, covering 97 major fast food chains and 39 full service chains as voted on by 6,518 ZAGAT.com diners. The…

The strangers among us

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I love airports. I love hotels. I love conferences. I love anywhere there are groups of strangers I can interact with. What is so fascinating is that just as…

The power of small numbers

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

“As long as repeat business is important, and as long as customers have a chance to go somewhere else, employees must deliver high levels of satisfaction for a…

Making the right choice from the single-use ‘menu’

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

Ever stare at a menu for an eternity and still find yourself unable to make a decision?  Maybe you weren’t sure of your own priorities that day or maybe you…

Foodservice executives reveal surprising recovery drivers

Product and merchandising innovations are cited most frequently by industry executives as top revenue drivers.

Trends in Eating Out: Hunker down, or exhale?

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Nothing is more top of mind right now for those of us in the restaurant industry than the state of the economy.

Fast casual sales reached $17.5 billion in 2009

June 24, 2010

Though the recession took a toll on most restaurant sectors in 2009, fast casual chains benefited from consumers trading down from fullservice restaurants. A…

Fast casual sales reached $17.5 billion in 2009

by

June 24, 2010

Though the recession took a toll on most restaurant sectors in 2009, fast casual chains benefited from consumers trading down from fullservice restaurants. A…

Food & Beverage Forecasting: Resetting the Stage through Chaos

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I had the interesting experience of having an invitation to my 8-year-old's sleepover party rejected by a mother who suggested we wait until next school year…

It’s the food, stupid

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Fast Food. Quick Serve. The very names of the industry describe the focus on speed. So we’d all be forgiven if we guessed that the most important criteria for…

Wingstop is first Dallas restaurant to test Coca-Cola Freestyle

June 23, 2010

Long-time Coca-Cola customer Wingstop will be the first to offer the Freestyle fountain in the Dallas area. Wingstop plans to feature Coca-Cola Freestyle in…

Wingstop is first Dallas restaurant to test Coca-Cola Freestyle

by

June 23, 2010

Long-time Coca-Cola customer Wingstop will be the first to offer the Freestyle fountain in the Dallas area. Wingstop plans to feature Coca-Cola Freestyle in…

Sky's Gourmet Tacos launches mobile cuisine vehicle

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The first of three company-branded food trucks launched June 3 in Los Angeles.

Sky's Gourmet Tacos launches mobile cuisine vehicle

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The first of three company-branded food trucks launched June 3 in Los Angeles.

NPD: Sandwiches, burgers prove recession resilient

May 18, 2010

Sandwiches and burgers still prove to bring in revenues for both quick-service and full service restaurants. According to The NPD Group, a leading market…

NPD: Sandwiches, burgers prove recession resilient

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May 18, 2010

Sandwiches and burgers still prove to bring in revenues for both quick-service and full service restaurants. According to The NPD Group, a leading market…