2008 Fast Casual Summit: FireKing

Paul Barron, publisher of Fast Casual magazine, talks with Scott Canakes of FireKing Security Group.

2008 Fast Casual Summit: Rich Products Corp.

Paul Barron, publisher of Fast Casual magazine, talks with Rod Kirwin, director of marketing for the food service division of Rich Products Corp.

2008 Fast Casual Summit: RealTime HR

Paul Barron, publisher of Fast Casual magazine, conducts a Power Info video session with Todd Rogers, CEO of Realtime HR.

2008 Fast Casual Summit: Torani

Paul Barron, publisher of Fast Casual magazine, conducts a Power Info video session with John Holt of flavored syrup maker Torani.

Chick-fil-A video contest a success

October 14, 2008

Chain Leader: Chick-fil-A, long a buyer of traditional advertising, took a step into the World Wide Web with its Biggest Fan video contest.   Chick-fil-A…

Hardee's, Carl's Jr. report positive comps for period 9

October 14, 2008

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc.'s period nine same-store sales were up slightly for the four weeks ended Oct. 6, 2008, for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's…

Pepsi to cut thousands of jobs

October 14, 2008

Associated Press: PepsiCo Inc. will eliminate 3,300 positions globally as a result of lagging soft drink sales in the United States. The company plans to close…

Beef costs likely to force restaurant price hikes

October 14, 2008

The Dallas Morning News (Associated Press): As restaurants work to secure supply and price contracts for meat and other commodities for the upcoming year, they…

McDonald's launches All American Achievers Program

October 14, 2008

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's has unveiled a new, in-school achievement program, McDonald's All American Achievers, an opportunity for teachers nationwide to…

Nashville eyes calorie counts

October 14, 2008

The Tennessean: Nashville is considering requiring restaurants to post calories on menus in an effort to fight obesity.   The Metropolitan Health Board has…

More women bring lunch, study says

October 14, 2008

THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- Harris Interactive has released results of a study commissioned by the Grains Foods Foundation that reports that nearly two-thirds (6…

Chick-fil-A partners with PEZ for Cow PEZ Dispenser

October 13, 2008

ATLANTA — Chick-fil-A is partnering with PEZ Candy Inc. to develop PEZ dispensers featuring Chick-fil-A "Eat Mor Chikin" Cows.   Beginning Oct. 13, consumers…

American Family Association ends McDonald's boycott

October 13, 2008

Chicago Tribune: The American Family Association has ended a five-month boycott of McDonald's Corp. after Richard Ellis, formerly McDonald's vice president of…

U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt planned for Las Vegas

October 13, 2008

HENDERSON, Nev. — Healthy Fast Food Inc. (HFFI) has announced that through U-Swirl Intl. Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, it has acquired the worldwide…

Wendy's plans New Zealand expansion

October 13, 2008

The National Business Review (Auckland, New Zealand): Wendy's is planning to open 20 new outlets in New Zealand in the next five years, more than doubling its…

Burger King wraps up first Futbol Kingdom tour

October 13, 2008

MIAMI — Burger King Corp.concluded the 2008 Futbol Kingdom tour in Miami's Tropical Park, after debuting in August throughout seven markets across the United…

QSRs adopt fast casual lessons

Upscale décor, menu translate to better sales.

Subway reaches 30K milestone

October 12, 2008

MILFORD, Conn. — Subway has topped its 30,000 store milestone two years before its original estimate with nine stores opening within the same 24-hour period.

Krispy Kreme intros Ariz. neighborhood store

October 12, 2008

PHOENIX — Krispy Kreme is evolving its store concept to better compete in today's market with the opening of three "neighborhood doughnut shops" in Phoenix. …

Taco Bell names Feed the Beat artists

October 12, 2008

IRVINE, Calif. — Taco Bell has named 100 artists to its 2008 Feed the Beat lineup as it once again hooks up America's up-and-coming rock acts as they hit the…