Research shows restaurants dominate social media conversations

April 8, 2013

New PQ Media/uberVU Research shows that social network ad spending grew 42.1 percent in 2012, to $7.94 billion. Beverage and technology brands dominated global…

Is the fast casual market saturated or still absorbing?

With a variety of fast casual concepts entering the market, it's anyone's guess which will make it big.

Sports bar taking on fast casuals with express lunch

Another full-service restaurant throws its hat in the fast casual ring.

NRA: RPI falls below 100, but operators 'remain optimistic about sales growth'

March 29, 2013

Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) slipped…

Why restaurants must unite IT, Marketing departments to win customers

Close-knit teaming at all levels is paramount for digital excellence and a healthy return on those technology investments.

Report: Restaurant sector boosts franchise growth

March 27, 2013

The International Franchise Association released its updated 2013 forecast today, which predicts that franchise businesses will continue to grow at a slightly…

Pie Five and Pizza Inn exec to talk new brand integration

March 27, 2013

Pizza Inn Holdings Inc.'s senior vice president and chief development officer Madison Jobe will speak Thursday at the 2013 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference…

Report: Restaurant deals no longer driving traffic

March 25, 2013

With restaurant visits on a deal or discount down last year, it appears that restaurant customers may perceive the price of deals offered over a length of time…

Technomic: Fast casuals leading restaurant growth

March 21, 2013

Eight of the 10 fastest-growing restaurant chains with sales above $2 million are from the fast casual sector, according to Technomic, which released today the…

Localized and personalized top 2013 customer experience trends

March 18, 2013

Empathica Inc., a provider of Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions to restaurants and other industries, predicts that 2013 will be a pivotal year for…

German fast casual brands growing steadily

March 15, 2013

Although Germany's top 100 restaurant chains saw sales increases of 3.1 percent in 2012, the most impressive growth came from the 14 fast casual brands on the…

Food and Beverage Innovation award recipients named for 2013

March 14, 2013

The National Restaurant Association has announced the recipients of the FABI Awards, which recognizes food and beverage innovations that are expected to make a…

Global restaurant traffic down, but spending up

March 12, 2013

The NPD Group reported new global restaurant data for the second half of 2012, which included sluggish traffic contrasted with an increase in average check in…

Conference to explore health care impacts, menu trends

March 12, 2013

UCLA Extension's 17th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference is scheduled for April 3 on the UCLA Campus at Covel Commons in Los Angeles. The event will explore…

Trend report: Global flavors hit the mainstream

March 11, 2013

Authentic regional foods from around the world are emerging as the norm rather than the exception thanks to changing demographics and a shift in consumer…

Food industry report shows consumers are moving out of economic crisis

March 8, 2013

Culinary Tides Inc. has released its report "Top 10 Trends Analysis — Shifting Sands 2013." The analysis covers government, technology, health, consumer…

Gluten-free requests reach new high

March 6, 2013

In January, about one-third of U.S. adults said they wanted to cut down on gluten or avoid gluten in their diet all together, marking the highest percentage…

Smartphones: The secret ingredient

Branded mobile apps provide a direct link to the loyal customer, which in turn enriches the brand-consumer relationship and provides new and powerful…

Restaurant operators optimistic about the months ahead

March 1, 2013

Driven by a more optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest…

Commentary: Why fast casual is not the future of restaurant business

An industry expert describes how fast casual is evolving into fresh casual.