Checkers/Rally's CEO predicts post-pandemic fast food resurgence + Lavu CEO on QSRs' digital path forward

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

Checkers/Rally's CEO Frances Allen explains why all that uber-healthy plant-based food that was so hot pre-pandemic in the U.S., could get a lot more…

Benefits of Kitchen Displays Systems

The kitchen represents the heart of a restaurant. Of course, the front counter and dining areas play pivotal roles in the operation as well, feeding into the…

COVID-19 liability protection for restaurateurs + Edible Brands' new QSR

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

Is your brand making the moves now to prevent COVID-19-related liability claims later? Today's podcast features two Messner Reeves LLP attorneys' expert…

El Pollo Loco rescinds annual outlook on 1.5% Q1 sales drop

April 9, 2020

The 480-unit mostly Western U.S. chain, El Pollo Loco, reported that its Q1 sales fell 1.5% for the period that ended March 25. Still, before the pandemic…

Frontline QSR, pizza workers walk out over COVID-19 fears

April 9, 2020

Today in California, workers at 30 different QSRs will stage a walk-out in an effort to force management at those stores to provide more safety protection…

McDonald's top execs to cut salaries as March sales drop 22%

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

McDonald's executives are slashing salaries amid a sharp drop in same-store sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edible adds vegetables

April 8, 2020

Atlanta-based QSR, Edible is back again this month with a new vegetable bundle, on the heels of the brand's Fresh Fruit Produce Box introduced last month.  

6 QSR business-boosting online options

by Peter Ruchti

Your website can be your QSR's best friend as the days of restrictions from the pandemic roll on. Here are 6 ways some of our company's restaurant clients are…

Nathan's Famous does a tech makeover, sees impressive test results

April 7, 2020

Nathan's Famous, Inc. has more than 100 years of tradition behind it, but that hasn't stopped the brand from overhauling its technology from top to bottom. The…

To AI or not to AI: Researcher says proceed with caution

Research just published by a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor indicates that AI may not always serve restaurant brands well, depending on their…

Foodservice distributors praise passage of CARES Act, say more is needed

March 30, 2020

The International Foodservice Distributors Association is applauding the government's passage of the CARES Act, but Mark Allen, president and CEO of the…

Restaurant food distributors estimate losses of $24B in 3 months

March 23, 2020

The restaurant industry is hurting and so are its food distributors, who are expected to lose $24 billion over the next three months alone as the pandemic…

Jack in the Box discounts app orders

March 20, 2020

Jack in the Box is giving customers an incentive to use the company's mobile app for ordering by offering 25% off the entire order when it's placed via the…

White Castle's pandemic response shows QSR strains amid dine-in closings

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

With five states closing in-restaurant dining, we talk to one QSR affected by the closures in response to the pandemic and how it's affecting operations for…

Breakfast 'war' pushes restaurant sales up despite COVID-19

March 16, 2020

The breakfast war between QSRs drove U.S. customer transactions up at quick service restaurants despite all the negative impact on the restaurant industry due…

Taco Bell to Wendy's: 'We'll handle the breakfast burritos, thank you very much'

March 12, 2020

Count Taco Bell in as yet another player in the QSR breakfast wars, now that the chain is debuting its new Toasted Breakfast Burrito Menu today. The menu…

Hardee's free biscuits boost up 'worst Monday of year'

March 6, 2020

In a recent survey, Hardee's learned that a full 60% of Americans dubbed next Monday — you know, the one after the switch to Daylight Saving Time this…

American QSR customers enter their 'blue mood'

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

What do purple food, an illegal South American bean and a funky blue fungus on corn have in common? According to Technomic, they're all proven, promising food…

Report: Foodservice operators seek innovations in flavor variety, packaging, labor-saving solutions

March 4, 2020

Frozen foods are used by foodservice operators of all types. But a Datassential study found operators are hungry for innovation.   "Frozen has a…

Navigating QSR social media 'landmines' on way to customer conversions

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

A digital marketing expert speaking at last week's Mid-America Restaurant Expo in Columbus, Ohio said all the data points to the fact that QSRs and social…