Consolidated Concepts partners with GuestMetrics on food cost analysis tools

June 21, 2016

Consolidated Concepts, a supply chain player, and data analytics firm GuestMetrics are teaming up in a five-year partnership that will mesh…

Cold Stone Creamery opens in Cambodia

June 21, 2016

Phnom Penh residents are enjoying a new yummy dessert these days thanks to the official opening on June 3 of Cambodia’s first Cold Stone Creamery. The…

El Pollo Loco signs deal with PLM Restaurants

June 21, 2016

PLM Restaurants signed a franchise deal to acquire two existing El Pollo Loco Tucson locations, and open six new locations by August 2019. 

Couple seeks to re-open Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits

June 21, 2016

A husband and wife team, Rachel and Poul Pederson, are partnering with the Memphis community to re-open Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits. The couple plans…

Dean Foods scoops up Friendly's for $155M cash

June 21, 2016

Friendly's Ice Cream and Dean Foods Co. today finalized a $155 million cash deal that makes the retail ice cream and manufacturing business officially part of…

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.

Are you ready to 'pitch' your fast casual concept?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Fast Casual is now accepting entries for The Perfect Pitch — what we like to describe as a friendlier version of "Shark Tank."

International franchise expansion requires hefty work upfront

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

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…

This week, Chattanooga officially 'knows Jack'

June 20, 2016

This Wednesday, June 22, Chattanooga, Tennessee welcomes a new Jack's All About the South to Cumming Highway at the pre-dawn hour of 5 a.m. when this chain…

Bojangles appoints new non-exec board chair

June 20, 2016

Bojangles', Inc. named William A. Kussell as its new non-executive board chairman, assuming the role from James ("Randy") Kibler, who continues on as a…

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…

Lobster is on a roll at McDonald's

June 17, 2016

That one-time quintessential luxury food, lobster, has clawed its way back onto McDonald's menu this summer at about 600 locations in the Northeast, including…

Why the problem of restaurant pathogens REALLY may have a "silver" lining

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

A non-toxic type of cleaner that kills pathogens with a form of ionized silver is spreading in use after showing great results in several chains nationally.

The peanut butter (allergy) crunch heard ‘round the country

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

In what should serve as a cautionary tale for the entire foodservice industry, Panera Bread faces a $500,000 lawsuit over a grilled cheese sandwich…

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs announces franchise remodel

June 16, 2016

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs is launching its first "Restaurant of the Future," remodeling the 2915 Trailhead Dr. location in Leavenworth, Kansas, according to a…

Restaurant industry tentatively embraces emerging mobile technology

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

Mobile Payments Today Editor Will Hernandez went to the National Restaurant Association Show for the first time to get a look at how restaurants are connecting…

Trading places: Eggos head to restaurants while food truck favorites head to homes

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

As if the restaurant industry isn't competitive enough, now the makers of some of the nation's biggest home freezer favorites are moving in to get some of…

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.