Innovative Upstarts Part 4 - Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes shakes up the burger business with a burger for EVERYbody

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

Whether customers eat meat, poultry or only vegetables, Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes wants them all in its fold of followers.

Innovative Upstarts Part 3 — Slim Chickens finds chicken biz is anything BUT slim pickings

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

In the hotly contested chicken sector of food service, one relatively new player is showing competitors how it's done, increasing sales by 50 percent last year…

The case for sustainability: 4 considerations for restaurants

All too often businesses, including restaurants, take an incomplete view of what sustainability entails and the investment necessary to generate a strong ROI.

3 ways Chipotle can avoid blowing its reputation

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Chipotle's latest scandal is proof that bad things happen to great brands. And keep happening.

Innovative Upstarts Part 2 - Toppers: A cocky brand that dares to take on the big pizza guys

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

Scrappy anti-corporate brand, Toppers Pizza, is almost daily delivering a box full of attitude to the older more iconic pie-makers in this sector.

Innovative upstarts: In the sandwich category, Which Wich has it 'in the bag' (Part 1)

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

When Jeff Sinelli founded his Which Wich sandwich chain, it was probably destined to have something a little offbeat about it after his success with a…

Why women are a natural fit for the franchise opportunity

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

More women than ever are stepping into the franchise industry, and as a panel of female franchisees and franchisors explain, there are more than a few good…

GE sells off restaurant assets of lending arm in massive 3-way deal

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

GE Capital U.S. is selling the bulk of its restaurant financing assets, which are worth about $1.4 billion.

National Retail Federation asks U.S. House to put OT regulation 'on pause'

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

The House Small Business Committee this week got an earful from the National Retail Federation on the Federal overtime regulations set to become effective Dec.

Americans have lots of new-found love for fast food, but still smitten with full-service

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

Americans are feeling the love a little more these days for fast food, according to this year's customer satisfaction survey and index for the food service…

Harris Poll forewarns of potential upheaval due to upcoming OT regulation

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

Americans have a hard time putting work away. In a new Harris Poll, most said it's at least partly because they have too much to do to in an eight-hour day.

International franchise expansion requires hefty work upfront

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

Domestic franchisors, whether running one location or 100 in the U.S., face a challenging journey in the quest to go international.

Snapchat campaigns capture a lot of dough for Virginia pizza chain

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

Ever thought of using that perpetual teenage social media favorite, Snapchat, in your social media marketing? Virginia-based Firenza certainly did, and the…

Watch out American fast food operators: Sushi is on a roll for Kula USA

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

Revolving sushi bars are very big in Japan, and could soon be a growing player in the U.S. quick-service market if the success Kula Sushi USA is having is any…

How to get 'free' money out of your landlord

When it comes to opening a location in a shopping center, obtaining a lease with a prime location and reasonable lease terms can be difficult for many small…

Commodity prices make this a great summer for LTOs and menu variety

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

Favorable commodity prices gives restaurants a chance to exercise their menu creativity with new offerings and LTOs.

Are your restaurants in compliance? Major changes take effect Friday for business first aid kits

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

The regulations change this Friday on the bare minimum number and type of medical supplies that all U.S. workplaces must have under the law.

Yelp-foodjunky.com partnership gives restaurateurs a front seat at the corporate catering table

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

A new tech partnership pairing Yelp with foodjunky.com could offer a nice inroad to new source of business for restaurants nationwide.

McDonald's moves HQ to Chicago's trendy former meatpacking district

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

McDonald's is is moving its HQ to downtown Chicago's former meatpacking district.

Why your loyalty program is failing and how to fix it (Part 3)

By harnessing the power of smart loyalty and letting customers control their own experience, brands can create a superior consumer journey.