'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…

Brands usher in 2017 with LTOs

December 28, 2016

All around the fast food universe, chains are preparing to be reborn as newer, better versions of themselves when the new year starts at midnight Saturday.

Are you accounting for those holiday gift cards correctly?

by Dustin Minton — National Restaurant Practice Co-Leader, BDO USA, LLP

For many restaurants, the holiday season bustles with promotions, parties and gift card sales. But amid the season's cheer, restaurants must account for these…

Hot, sweet, buttery bites o' meat return to Church's

December 21, 2016

Church's Chicken is bringing back honey-butter biscuit tenders as a LTO to kick off the new year, beginning on Monday, Jan. 2, according to a news release.

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.

KFC pops up puffy new store in Portland

December 21, 2016

KFC in Portland, Oregon, is taking the whole idea of the pop-up store to its most literal conclusion today when the chain "pops up" what is expected to be the…

Just as money runs out for the holidays, BK meal deal runs in

December 21, 2016

Burger King is offering a little wallet relief for the holiday, by featuring a $3.99 Whopper Jr. Meal Deal, according to a news release. The LTO includes a…

5 ways restaurants can turn tech into success strategy

Restaurant chains often struggle with the technology decision-making process, but experience is clear on what works and what does not. Following are five best…

Cousins Subs VP lays out growth plans

Jason Valentine,  VP of Operations of Cousins Subs, chats about cultivating franchise relationships, employee engagement, the brand's new look and food safety…

Study: Customer data is growing player in restaurant marketing

December 16, 2016

Research from Winterberry Group found that guest data plays a key role in the way restaurants handle challenges, including increased competition, declining…

Dippin' Dots and Doc Popcorn's co-branding key to chain's growth

December 16, 2016

Dippin' Dots and its sister brand, Doc Popcorn, just adjourned the first co-branded annual franchisee conference for the two concepts, in Las Vegas, according…

Former Captain D's employee opens location in Myrtle Beach

December 15, 2016

 A new Captain D's unit has opened in Myrtle Beach with franchisees, Scottie Smith and Robert Brooks at the helm, according to a press release. Smith…

MicroSale releases $49-a-month POS system

December 14, 2016

A cheap, tablet-based POS system for small restaurants is now available from MicroSale POS Systems, according to a press release. It comes with an…

Milwaukee man lands Cousins Subs sweepstakes prize

December 14, 2016

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin, man scored big in Cousins Subs' Bucky's Bash sweepstakes, as part of the Wisconsin-based brand's dedication and support for University…

Captain D's brings back health-conscious menu

December 12, 2016

Captain D's is reintroducing its Captain's D-Lites menu with a number of under-500 calorie offerings, such as the wild Alaskan salmon and the blackend tilapia.

El Pollo Loco opens 1st Grand Prairie location

December 12, 2016

Citrus-marinated chicken cooked over an open flame grill debuted in Grand Prairie, Texas for the first time, thanks to El Pollo Loco's newest location…

How the election could (and should) change the way restaurants do business

By Mike Lukianoff, Chief Analytics Officer/Fishbowl

Santa Central Sunday at White Castle

December 8, 2016

White Castle is setting itself up this Sunday as Santa Central. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations nationwide, Santa will stop in for the fifth straight year…

Everything old is new at original Youngstown Arby's

December 7, 2016

Arby's returned to its roots today in Youngstown, Ohio, reopening across the street from the chain's first location, a 10-seat drive-in unit opened in 1964, by…