A&W's post-Yum success proves breaking up isn't hard to do

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

Sometimes, brands like people do better solo than as a member of even the nicest restaurant family. Such has been the case for a brand that is actually the…

Taco Bell puts a brake on restaurant industry's revolving door

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

Taco Bell's 4-year-old Start with Us, Stay with Us initiative required a slew of cultural changes for the brand, but is now starting to pay off with big…

World's oldest QSR rebrands, expands in US

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

The time may never be more ripe for 118-year-old Yoshinoya to hit a growth spurt in the U.S. The brand's U.S. CEO offers insight into what's coming as the…

The gluten-free opportunity: New rewards await

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

Skyrocketing demand for gluten-free choices on restaurant menus is spawning creative solutions from restaurateurs, food service vendors and health watchdog…

'If in doubt, leave it out': The lessons in Cinnabon's Carrie Fisher tweet

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

Cinnabon's poorly received social media post about Carrie Fisher, upon her death this week, has restaurant leaders talking about how best to prevent such…

Cinnabon unleashes wrath of internet over Fisher tweet

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

Cinnabon is struggling today with a problem that haunts just about every restaurateur in the digital age after the company's social media managers posted what…

A 'post mortem': Looking back at 2016's hard-learned lessons

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

Experts weigh in on the eight lessons they learned in 2016 about the fine art of running a restaurant.

How is color coloring customer perceptions?

Color is critical to customer experience since it has a notable and predictable impact on their moods and emotions.

Wasabi to employees: We like you, we really like you

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

Some of the world's leading brands make their employees their first and most important customer. The UK-based foodservice brand,Wasabi, is making it a priority…

A&W raises frothy mug to post-Yum Brands success

Despite the slackening of sales across parts of the broader restaurant industry, A&W is heading into 2017 nearly as a centenarian, yet thriving brand.

A chicken chain 'phoenix' rises from ashes with help of a 'patient' man and a whole American Indian nation

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

This week, Beautiful Brands International signed an agreement with the Muscogee Creek Nation's Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise division to open as many as…

Fast Casual Summit: 4 questions restaurant brands must answer

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

At last month's Fast Casual Executive Summit outside Los Angeles, restaurant marketing consultant Gerry O’Brion said the difference between winners and losers…

KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell leading Chinese health initiatives

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

The Chinese government wants to help its people live longer, healthier lives and has enlisted the support of the nation’s leading fast-food operator, Yum…

Fast Casual Summit: 5 lessons learned from m-commerce innovators

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

Why restaurants must "adapt to mobile commerce or die."

Last-minute federal injunction halts OT rules

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

Less than a week before the overtime regulations were to kick in, a federal judge in Texas has blocked the rule that would have made an estimated 4 million…

Did they just say that? World watches while McDonald's promises to 'make ordering fun'

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

McDonald's took one giant leap into its digital future this week, saying it's switching to self-serve order stations and table delivery for all U.S.

Top seven steps to supply chain heaven outlined at summit

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

Figuring out supply chain problems has a new urgency and importance today that might not have existed just three years ago. Here from the Fast Casual Summit…

Welcome to Taco Bell, here's your whiskey freeze

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

Taco Bell opens its first flagship location today on the Vegas strip with lots of new accoutrements.

Free Webinar: Pilot Testing Restaurant Digital Signage - The Only Way to Fly

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

Invest an hour of time in the free webinar, Pilot Testing Restaurant Digital Signage: The Only Way to Fly. It's chock-full of checklists, proven testing rules…

Holy Guacamole! Are avocados back or not?

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

Is the avocado shortage still on? The answer, it seems, depends on who you ask and what news source you rely on.