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…

Waffle House: Year No. 61 of working through Christmas

December 21, 2016

There was a time when little was open on mega-holidays like Christmas, but Waffle House was never a participant in that plan. In fact, this Christmas and New…

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.

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…

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…

Love's installs food-safety tech system-wide

December 15, 2016

Love's Travel Stops has signed a multi-year agreement with machine-to-machine and IoT connectivity product provider, Digi International, to implement a food…

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…

Johnny Rockets tests self-order kiosks in moving to a QSR format

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-order kiosks play an important role in moving to more of a quick-serve format for Johnny Rockets as the 30-year-old iconic brand seeks to refresh itself.

All hail the diehards: Limited-service chains open Christmas

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

News reporters, convenience and retail store employees, first responders and medical personnel are among that committed group of people who rarely get holidays…

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.

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.

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…

Kiosks killing jobs? Current events beg the question, but the facts say otherwise

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Automatic Merchandiser

Several restaurant chains are using kiosks and other technology that allow orders to be placed more rapidly and efficiently. Kiosks are fostering fears about…

Hardee's CEO tapped as labor secretary: What's in it for restaurant biz?

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

December 8, 2016

Where the nation and the restaurant industry labor force are concerned, Andy Puzder is quite vocal in his pro-automation and anti-regulation views. These views…

Trumping the restaurant industry

The founder and owner of the six-restaurant Uncle Jack's brand and former host of the Food Network's "Restaurant Stakeout" discusses how he thinks…

Why Moe's Southwest Grill, A&W focusing on digital marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Digital media is always changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

McDonald's awards licensing rights in Maylasia, Singapore

December 6, 2016

McDonald's Corporation announced it has selected Lionhorn Pte. Ltd. as the Developmental Licensee for its Malaysia and Singapore markets. Lionhorn is led by…

McDonald's adds cheese curds in Wisconsin

December 1, 2016

McDonald's has partnered with its cheesiest supplier yet: the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, according to a press release. This week, all 290 McDonald's…

El Pollo Loco debuts mobile ordering app

December 1, 2016

El Pollo Loco's online ordering platform and mobile app, developed in partnership with Olo, has officially launched. According to a press release, it includes…