Strong growth ahead in 2015, predicts the IFA, but threats are looming

While the economic forecast is strong, headwinds caused by the NRLB's joint employer ruling, minimum wage hikes and ACA implementation could curtail QSR…

Building genuine customer engagement in an Instagram world

Instead of exhausting yourself trying to change customer behavior, take the necessary steps to minimize the distractions cell phones can present.

How to fight rising food costs before they hurt your business

Shop around for food networks or buying groups, which offer better collective buying power.

What to consider when implementing a restaurant kiosk

by Nicole Troxell — Associate Editor, Networld Media Group

A majority -- 88 percent -- of restaurant patrons indicate a preference for self-service technology at their table, while 12 percent indicated a preference for…

Wetzel's Pretzels adds digital animation to tell product story

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

The animated digital boards were unveiled in November at Wetzel's Disneyland location and have exceeded expectations.

Executive round table: Quick-service industry leaders make their 2015 predictions

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Localization, transparency and a healthy/indulgent spectrum are expected to accelerate in '15, as are mobile ordering and catering.

QSRs shift models to 'go where the consumers are'

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Mobile initiatives, bigger marketing budgets, franchising growth and unprecedented headwinds grabbed headlines this year for the QSR segment.

Sugar and spice and everything breakfast: 2014 on the menu

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Breakfast, beverage and retail categories accelerated this year, while operators embraced meaty offerings, despite record-high protein prices.

McDonald's plans to shrink menu, ingredient lists

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

McDonald's has moved from a division structure to a structure that empowers regions to execute their marketing and menu plans toward their specific…

Krispy Kreme sales, traffic jump as company begins loyalty program test

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Customers can sign up for the program through their iPhone or Android device and earn reward 'Treats' for future purchases. A national roll out is expected in…

Competition for talent among hot trends for employers in 2015

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The upswing in the economy means competition for talent will heat up in 2015. That means employers need to up their game when it comes to attracting and…

Hurdles expected to remain in place in 2015 for restaurant operators

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

In addition to record-high commodities prices, labor inflation, technology costs and health care/menu labeling regulations, there is also intensified…

Online cultural inclusiveness: Something for restaurant brands to think about

Focusing on how diversity is presented on a company website provides an opportunity to reaffirm our industry’s commitment to reaching a multicultural workforce…

Quiznos turns to millennials in turnaround bid

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Quiznos will launch a new POS (expected in 2015) and will then be able to test some loyalty tools and a mobile app. The brand is also testing gluten-free…

The chefs have spoken: Menu trend predictions for 2015

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

After years on the rise, gluten-free cuisine has fallen out of the top 10 list of the National Restaurant Association's annual survey.

How to get millennials to buy into your restaurant brand

Every step of what patrons experience from how they are greeted to what's on the menu; from how they place orders to how their tables are cleared must be…

Lessons from a prolific, international restaurant franchisee

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

The president of QSR International says offering a breakeven promotion around a beverage is the 'most intelligent thing you can do' going into a new market.

'Black Friday' a boon to restaurants, too

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Mall-based restaurants can see a significant spike in sales around the holiday season, bolstered by high traffic volumes and consumers' desire for indulgence.

Secrets to successful restaurant site selection

Tour prospective sites in order from worst to best, which will allow you to become more confident, ask better questions and be more in control of the leasing…

Social media expert: Restaurants need to get better at brand storytelling

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

The challenge is no longer having the biggest presence or most followers; now quality matters before activity.