Seasonal flavors spice up menus

December 14, 2010

The latest research from market intelligence provider Mintel finds that restaurant chains are responding to consumer demand by spicing up their menus with fall…

Oh, Canada! Foodservice industry up north outpacing U.S.

December 14, 2010

Restaurant chains are spreading throughout Canada faster than they are in the U.S. According to a study by Technomic, the Canadian restaurant industry has…

Food and drink tickets more expensive in 2010

December 13, 2010

Although Americans' wallets may feel thinner because of the recession, consumers are apparently willing to spend almost a dollar more on lunch. New research…

Unemployment hampers restaurant recovery, but volumes gain slight edge

December 12, 2010

With continued high unemployment across the U.S., restaurant traffic remained down 1 percent in the third calendar quarter of 2010; however, positive signs…

Mexican menu popularity boosted by fast casual concepts

December 5, 2010

Limited service Mexican restaurant chains were able to increase sales by 2.7 percent and unit counts by 1.8 percent in 2009, despite an overall industry-wide…

Consumers choosing healthier foods, NPD says

November 29, 2010

According to foodservice market research by The NPD Group, foods high in sugar content or fat have been ordered less frequently at restaurants over the past 1…

Restaurant comps, traffic push RPI to highest level in three years

November 29, 2010

Fueled by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest…

Fast Casual restaurants gain UK market share

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 28, 2010

Fast-casual restaurants are continuing to gain market share in the United Kingdom -- growing at a faster rate than their limited-service counterparts…

Study: People choose combo meals regardless of value or size

November 28, 2010

In her new research, "Consumption Effects of Bundling: Consumer Perceptions, Firm Actions, and Public Policy Implications," appearing in the fall issue of…

Mintel outlines law-based opposition and opportunities for 2011 restaurants

November 10, 2010

Recapping a year that saw a new health bill pass with tangible implications for the foodservice industry, research company Mintel outlined five ways…

NPD: Family dining makes a comeback

November 9, 2010

Restaurant visits from families or parties with kids increased this past summer after three years of traffic declines, according to market research company The…

ADA reports on families' fast food consumption

November 8, 2010

The American Dietetic Association Foundation has released preliminary results of a new survey on family eating habits, attitudes and physical activity. The…

Restaurant performance outlook posts modest improvement

October 28, 2010

Driven by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, as well as growing optimism among restaurant operators, the outlook for the restaurant…

Mintel: Consumer trends begin with long-term benefits

October 27, 2010

While consumers are still reeling from the aftershock of the global economic crisis, Mintel has predicted nine key consumer trends for the year ahead that…

Zagat: Customers want time limits on free restaurant Wi-Fi

October 26, 2010

Zagat Survey has released the results of its 2011 America's Top Restaurants guide, reporting the opinions and habits of more than 153,000 avid diners. The…

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…

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…

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…

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…