Think Positive - Vote Positive!

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

There are varying opinions as to when the “Great Recession” began. Arguably, the roots extend back to the start of the housing bubble burst in the back half of…

UK government pushes for voluntary menu labeling

September 26, 2010

Europe may chastise Americans for their wealth of fast food options, but it is also taking a cue from menu labeling laws soon to be enacted in the States. The…

A cocktail walks into a bar

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

“I cannot believe I agreed to do this,” she thought as she entered the almost empty bar. “I mean, what on earth was I thinking? It was that little Daiquiri…

A sea change

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

On one day in 2008, more than a half-million volunteers in 100 countries collected 11.4 million items of trash along the world’s waterways. What were the top…

Street food adoption papers approved

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I find it fascinating that some experiences stay with you forever while 1,000 others fade to nothing - as if never born. Have you ever had an experience that…

Planning store layouts? Consider the recycling and composting trend

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

As I travel the country, I see more and more operators, universities, airports and hotels collecting recyclables and compostables. If you’re planning new…

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…