US food preferences enter 'awkward adolescent' stage

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

The latest report on the foods U.S. diners want today shows consumers are feeling a little less than confident about the overall "state of things." As a…

Leveling the limited-service playing field: 3 brands talk about 'democratized' dining

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Limited-service restaurant startup and operation is easier than ever thanks to forces that level the playing field, like third-party delivery and commissary…

Foretelling QSRs' future: How big a role will AI, virtual or augmented reality play?

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

From virtual and augmented reality to artificial intelligence, more technology is definitely coming to basic QSR operation. But how much and how quickly? Those…

Restaurant tech experts: Tech is pushing QSRs 'away from counter,' toward collaboration

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

Restaurant tech experts at Omnivore, Rosnet, Givex and Kallpod tell QSR leaders what to watch when it comes to technology investment.

Food marketing guru Fogelson tells brands why knowing thyself, now means knowing thy cause

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Food marketing sage and former Food Networking and Cooking Channel Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy Susie Fogelson has made a career of…

What Danny Meyer’s book doesn’t tell you about the restaurant business

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Frank Klein, founder and CEO of Asian Box, is an admirer of Danny Meyer, but he thinks the famed restaurateur failed to include the dark side of the restaurant…

Smoke’s Poutinerie founder: 'We are entertainers'

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Ryan Smolkin, whose Smoke's Poutinerie has opened more than 150 locations in North America in less than 10 years, insists he is in the entertainment business…

And they're off: QSR annual fish fare face-off begins

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

For the estimated 1.3 billion Catholics globally, Lent and its restrictions on eating land-based animal meat, begins today, as do many of the fish-based QSR…

Restaurant leaders to reveal how they increased traffic, sales via technology

C-level executives from more than 30 brands, including Papa John's, Chick-Fil-A, CKE, Dippin' Dots, Captain D's and Mongolian Concepts, will share stories and…

Free webinar: Optimize operations by running a data-driven restaurant

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

Is your brand's data doing all that it can for you? If you have a sneaky suspicion you might be missing out, check out this March 7 webinar with Focus Brands…

Taco Bell COO gives firsthand account of rising through the QSR ranks

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

What's it take to climb from the bottom of the corporate "food chain" at a large QSR to the C-suite? Determination? Luck? Support? According to Taco Bell COO…

KFC to deploy 5,000 kiosks by 2020

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

KFC will become the next major restaurant chain to get on the kiosk bandwagon.

'Single-use' - QSRs 'dirty word' for 2019?

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

There may never have been a more contentious time for QSR brands when it comes to their dependence on single-use packaging. In fact, the Virginia-based…

Chick-fil-A uses data in new, faster, results-producing way

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Chick-fil-A is using interactive data visualization technology to make better, faster decisions in its ongoing efforts to boost both revenue and customer…

Attention new brands: Make Perfect Pitch nominations by June 14 or miss the chance of a lifetime

New brands have until June 14 to apply for a chance to win a spot on stage in the popular Perfect Pitch restaurant standoff at the Fast Casual Executive Summit…

More time, more money, more insight: How supply chain apps can ease inventory headaches

by Andrew Rosenbloom — Director of Marketing, Consolidated Concepts

Inventory and problem-spotting as you go, massive time and money savings, and just maybe a restaurant staff mood-improving makeover: These are some of the…

What the Trump Clemson feast teaches brands about riding a politically charge media wave

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

How best can a brand capitalize on a potentially media event, like the Trump-Clemson White House feast this week, without getting blasted for the wrong…

Top tech execs say voice, near-me searches will soar in 2019

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

This year's top restaurant tech trends are all about meeting the customer at the time and the place of his or her choice. Restaurant brands that point their…

Chop Stop: The salad QSR with a 'meat-n-potatoes' guy at the helm

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

What's a "meat-and-potatoes" guy doing in the salad business? Very well, thank you.

2019 Fast Casual Top 100 call for nominations now open

Nominations for the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers will close Jan. 31.