Smokey Bones' virtual brand revamp returns burger to value-based roots

Burgers have gotten pretty darn tony on the virtual restaurant landscape, with prices to match. But one virtual brand thinks the real money is in the…

Fast food turkey: Why it could really fly

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

For a long time, fast food meant burgers. But a couple of years back, that began to change in earnest with the start of the Chicken Wars. And this year…

Are QSR companies overdue for some common sense?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Organizations that lose cultural common sense also lose touch with both their employees and their customers. That's why one cultural transformation expert…

What's next for the ghost in the restaurant machine?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Whether you refer to delivery and/or pickup-only businesses as ghost, virtual, cloud kitchens or brands, the fact is they've moved into the restaurant…

McDonald's general counsel: 'Challenges are complex, but opportunities are significant'

McDonald's has named former Boston Scientific Corporation General Counsel Desiree Ralls-Morrison, a Black corporate leader, to head its global legal operations…

Taco Bell's ever-evolving face seen as key to future success

Whether it's punching in a kiosk order at a downsized urban store or relaxing for a drink and a game of cornhole at one of its Cantinas, Taco Bell is finding…

Money talks: A look into what private equity looks for

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Unprecedented change across any business, like that of the last year, tends to also trigger a flood of interest from investors. Such is the case with the fast…

On-demand webinar: How to keep fraudsters from bilking your QSR via the Telegram app

One of the latest scams targeting QSRs involves everything from the so-called "deep web" to bitcoin payments and, of course, fraud on just about every level.

What's behind the Great QSR Store Reface

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

No need to tell Americans change is afoot as all they need do is take a look at some of their favorite local drive-thrus. But the changes happening in QSR…

Restaurateurs: American Rescue Plan is beacon of hope

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

With today's presidential signature on the nearly $2 trillion American Rescue Plan stimulus, a collective sigh of relief is being heard from restaurateurs…

4 leading QSR women discuss how things are, how they want them to be

Female leaders across quick-service today know they owe a lot to their predecessors for the positions they've attained today. But that doesn't mean they're…

Has food become secondary to foodservice?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Being a restaurant customer today involves many considerations beyond just the food itself. In fact, at least one group of forecasters said the food is…

Restaurant industry considered one of winners of American Rescue Plan en route to House

The American Rescue Plan is on its way to the U.S. House for expected passage before heading to the president's desk for signing into law and restaurants stand…

A passion for mentoring drives Cornbread's WILD certification

FastCasual and Messner Reeves are honoring fast casual brands dedicated to ensuring that women have a seat at the leadership table.

A&W: An unusual form of ownership doing unusually well

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Franchisee-ownership of a brand may be rare, but one QSR that has operated under that structure for most of the last 10 years, is proof that it can be…

Subway standardizes universal payment solution with multi-country rollout

by Pat Shea — Editor, NetworldMedia

Finding a universal payment solution that can work for a company with 42,500 restaurants, owned by nearly 21,000 franchisees, can be a tall order. But…

Popeyes gives McDonald's a chicken lickin'

It's getting awfully hot in the QSR chicken pot.

'Movin' on up': The gifts of the 3rd- to 1st-party ordering shift

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

What kind of benefits do brands realize when they shift to or just add first-party ordering?

McDonald's Black franchisee: 'Only time McDonald's does anything for Black folk is when they're forced to'

Former pro baseball player and 40-year McDonald's franchisee, Herb Washington, came out swinging at McDonald's Tuesday, first filing suit against the chain for…

Study: Higher menu prices = lower ratings

We've suspected that increasing menu prices might have a less than glowing effect on restaurant ratings, but now we have proof.