Banking crisis affects GE Capital lending to new franchisees

September 28, 2008

Cattle Network: GE Capital's franchise finance arm is tightening its lending for new franchisees, the latest sign that Wall Street's turmoil is spreading to…

Sonic reassures franchisees in light of GE lending tightening

September 28, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sonic Corp. has released a statement regarding media reports concerning GE Capital's reported pullback in financing for franchisees.   Sonic…

Q&A: MICROS' Tom Moran

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 28, 2008

Retail Customer Experience editor James Bickers recently attended the MICROS 2008 Users Conference. While there he sat down with Tom Moran, vice president of…

Hardee's intros Little Thickburger

September 28, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Hardee's has created a reduced-size version of its Thickburger, the Little Thickburger. The new, smaller burger weighs one-quarter pound compared…

Culver's intros LTO election-themed sundaes

September 28, 2008

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. — Culver's Restaurants has introduced two limited-time politically themed sundaes available at all participating Culver's restaurants…

Kan. Burger King re-builds for efficiency

September 28, 2008

The Hutchinson (Kan.) News: A Hutchinson, Kan., Burger King store has been demolished with plans to replaced it with the chain's ROC 60 building, the…

Mystery Shopping Study ranks best wait times

September 28, 2008

DALLAS — The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) has released a survey that offers some insight into one key component of customer service: wait…

Arby's signs HyperActive Tech's "QTimer" drive-thru solution

September 25, 2008

PITTSBURGH — HyperActive Technologies has announced that Arby's Restaurant Group has selected the company's QTimer Drive-Thru Measurement Solution as the…

McDonald's launches Latin music program for schools

September 25, 2008

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's will be celebrating Latin music in schools and communities across the country throughout the coming year through a major new…

Fast Casual launches state of the industry report

September 25, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual magazine and FastCasual.com have released the "2009 Fast Casual State of the Industry Report."   The 73-page comprehensive study…

McDonald's, CKE to participate in consumer conference

September 25, 2008

CARPINTERIA, Calif. and OAK BROOK, Ill. — CKE Restaurants Inc. and McDonald's Corp. each have announced the companies' participation in the RBC Capital Markets…

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen opens in Kuwait University

September 25, 2008

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Multi-concept franchisor Villa Enterprises Management has announced it will continue strategic expansion into the Middle East with the…

Subway promos Change a Light, Change the World program

September 25, 2008

MILFORD, Conn. — Subway restaurant chain has announced it will participate in the Energy Star Change a Light, Change the World campaign.   By partnering with…

Marble Slab, MaggieMoo's debut mobile texting campaigns

September 24, 2008

ATLANTA — Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery have launched new mobile texting campaigns, the companies have announced. Customers of…

McDonald's names new VP of U.S. Communications

September 24, 2008

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's USA has announced the promotion of William (Bill) Whitman Jr. to vice president, U.S. Communications. Whitman replaces Richard…

Mrs. Winner's intros LTO 8-pc. BOGO

September 24, 2008

ATLANTA — Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits has introduced a limited-time Chicken Stimulus package, an an 8-piece buy one, get one free promotion where…

The Hills duo, Taco Bell aid World Hunger Relief

September 24, 2008

IRVINE, Calif. — In an effort to raise awareness of global hunger, Taco Bell is again joining forces with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of MTV's hit reality…

Muzak intros online drive-thru catalog

September 24, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Muzak has launched the QSR Performance Solutions online catalog, a new ordering method for drive-thru equipment and services, the company…

NRA lauds Senate approval of restaurant depreciation provision

September 24, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association has hailed the U.S. Senate passage of the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Act of 2008…

Sonic announces Q4 prelim comps

September 23, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sonic Corp. has announced it has achieved 22 consecutive years of positive systemwide same-store sales growth for the fiscal year ended Aug.