Food & beverage innovation lessons from Apple

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

Restaurants would do well to study and learn from the technology giant.

Former QSR execs launch fast casual concepts

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

July 11, 2010

Two former McDonald's executives, Mike Roberts and Mike Donahue, are developing a fast casual concept tentatively named Stephanie's, after the daughter of…

Carl's Jr. testing foot-long cheeseburger

July 11, 2010

KFC garnered plenty of media buzz for its Double Down sandwich, and Carl's Jr. may be trying to follow in the same footsteps. The Fast Food Maven blog reports…

Krispy Kreme opens two more neighborhood shops

July 11, 2010

Krispy Kreme is moving forward with its expansion strategy of opening its smaller neighborhood shops with two new stores. Earlier this month, the company…

CKE Restaurants finalizes merger with Apollo affiliate

July 11, 2010

CKE Restaurants Inc. has announced the completion of its acquisition by Columbia Lake Acquisition Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Apollo Management VII L.P.

QSRs find multiple uses for the iPad

While there are plenty of detractors, a number of experts see unlimited possibilities for the device.

Wendy's expects strong ROI from salad investment

July 8, 2010

Wendy's is confident that its new premium salad line will pay off for the brand. The company has invested in new equipment, sourcing of fresh ingredients and…

Calif. governor signs cage-free egg legislation into law

July 8, 2010

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law this week legislation that phases out the production of eggs from caged hens. The bill, A.B. 1437…

KFC to swap vuvuzelas for free Doublicious

July 8, 2010

KFC has launched its latest marketing stunt to promote its newest offering. As the company repurposes its infamous Double Down into the Doublicious sandwich…

Burgerville launches latest seasonal LTOs

July 8, 2010

Pacific Northwest-based Burgerville is known for its seasonal offerings. This month signals the return of its most popular seasonal menu offerings: Walla Walla…

Checkers signs multiunit agreement for Hartford, Conn.

July 8, 2010

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants is furthering its strategic growth strategy with the signing of a multiunit store development agreement for five new restaurants…

Forecasting: 'Fresh' will take Wendy's farther than new salad line

by Stuart Morris

While the products may provide a sales uplift in the short-term, long-term the outlook looks a little wilted.

New iPhone app reveals beverage consumption trends

July 7, 2010

A new iPhone app could help revolutionize the restaurant industry – without customers even knowing about it. GuestMetrics' iPhone app provides beverage…

Skinner: CSPI Happy Meal suit threat frivolous

July 7, 2010

McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner sent a letter Wednesday to the Center for Science in the Public Interest responding to the agency's threat to sue the quick-serve…

FDA seeks public comment on menu labeling requirement

July 7, 2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has moved into the public comment stage as it develops regulations for the national menu labeling requirement. The new…

Study finds QSR kid-targeted advertising outpacing food

July 7, 2010

New research by the University of Illinois at Chicago reveals that quick-service advertising aimed at children has outpaced that for cereal and other foods…

BBI revives Rex's Chicken, first store opens in Oklahoma

July 7, 2010

Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has opened the first Rex’s Chicken, located at 111th and Memorial in Bixby, Okla. The opening is part of a development…

Tastee Freez committed to growth as it turns 60

July 6, 2010

Tastee Freez kicks off its 60th anniversary this month, which also is fittingly National Ice Cream Month. One of the longest-lived franchise operations in the…

QSRs launch summer menu, contest promotions

July 6, 2010

A number of quick-service brands, including a variety of regional concepts, have launched new promotions and products for the summer. Some are leveraging…

Smartphone search latest tool for new customer acquisition

July 6, 2010

A new survey by Compete has found that nearly one in three smartphone owners has called or stopped into a local business after finding it using a local search…