Brand strength: CEO says it's NOT in the numbers

What makes a brand a powerful force in a crowded QSR field? While the assumption in the restaurant industry has always been that the really strong brands are…

El Pollo Loco features chicken tamale LTO, opens 2nd Grand Prairie store

November 21, 2018

Chicken tamales are a classic Mexican holiday dish, so El Pollo Loco is featuring the dough-wrapped poultry-filled pillows as a seasonal LTO, a news release…

QSR brands suffer mightily from old, unintegrated tech

by Robert Whitehead — Director Retail & Hospitality Technology, Softtek Integrations

As the business world catapults ahead — courtesy of all kinds of new technology — the restaurant industry is still suffering significantly from old systems…

Online search results put Chick-fil-A at top of franchise heap

November 14, 2018

Chick-fil-A is the nation's most popular franchise when it comes to Google search, according to research conducted by equipment sale website…

Blaze opens Central Michigan University store

November 13, 2018

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is opening a Mount Pleasant, Michigan location today, Nov. 13, on South Mission Street right across the road from Central Michigan…

US Veterans at Subway relay the gifts the Armed Forces give business

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

As we approach U.S. Veterans Day Sunday -- along with the federal holiday on Monday --one chain that has found great success putting those who have served in…

Smoothie King, Mighty Quinn's, Tropical Smoothie Cafe take on 'cannibalization'

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

How to drive growth is top of mind for brands but in the quest to grow brands can often ignite a cannibalism strategy, something no partner or franchisor…

Q&A with President of Regrub, and Smashburger Franchisee, Tom Jones

hopAdvisor recently spoke with Founder and President of Regrub, Tom Jones, who is the Smashburger franchise owner working with ShopAdvisor on a new campaign.

Former A&W executive returns to head franchise development

November 2, 2018

Former A&W executive, Dave Crowley, has returned to the Lexington, Kentucky-based brand to head franchise development. Between 1997 and 2010, Crowley held…

Jimboy's continues Orange County expansion

November 1, 2018

Jimboy's Tacos will open its fourth Orange County, California location on Alton Parkway this coming Nov. 13, a news release said. 

Stoner's Pizza opening 1st franchise locations

November 1, 2018

Quick-serve pizza franchise, Stoner's Pizza Joint is opening six Texas locations, as part of the brand's first development deal since it began franchising in…

The secrets salad dressing packet sales relay about delivery growth

October 29, 2018

Food service delivery sales have bounced up 20 percent in the past five years, and now NPD Group said there's evidence that portion-controlled salad dressing…

Gen Z, community, financial visibility: 3 keys to business success

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

From capturing the hearts of an elusive Gen Z to connecting with your community and reaping financial visibility's rewards, this year's Three:15 session at the…

Subway: The future means 'more'

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

With new CEO Trevor Haynes at the helm, Subway is taking a fresh approach that is all about doing "more" for the menu, customers and franchisees.

El Pollo Loco adds 1 store, 3 salads

October 16, 2018

El Pollo Loco is starting fall off with one opening and three limited-time menu additions. The brand opened its newest restaurant on West Renaissance Parkway…

Asian QSR Jollibee opens in Manhattan Oct. 27

October 15, 2018

Asian fast-food restaurant Jollibee will open its first Manhattan location, near Times Square and Port Authority, on Oct. 27, offering those in the Big Apple a…

Wendy's seeks Quebec, Montreal franchisees

October 12, 2018

Wendy's Restaurants of Canada is seeking franchise business partners to expand the brand throughout Quebec. With more than 360 Canadian locations, including 1…

Taco Bell, Collins Foods to open 50+ Australian stores

October 12, 2018

Taco Bell Australian franchisee Collins Foods will open more than 50 restaurants across the country over the next three years, a news release said. The brand…

How UK's Leon redefined the fast food industry

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Leon Restaurants Co-Founder Henry Dimbleby shares insight on how he and John Vincent set about redefining fast food into "fast food focused on good living and…

Del Taco opening 1st Denver unit in 7 years

October 4, 2018

Del Taco is opening its 17th  Denver area restaurant with a longtime franchisee and multi-unit owner, Brent Veach. The Promenade Parkway unit, in fact, is Del…