McDonald's operator makes a splash with digital signage

Do colorful digital graphics enhance the in-store experience?

Captain D's hires strategic media planning agency

August 24, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Captain D's Seafood announced today that Kelly, Scott and Madison of Chicago is now the chain's strategic media planning and placement…

McDonald's opens gym for kids

July 9, 2006

LOS ANGELES — A Whittier, Calif.-based McDonald's restaurant opened its doors to the world's second McDonald's R Gym, a dedicated in-restaurant play area that…

VeriFone introduces drive-thru payment system

May 22, 2006

CHICAGO — VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced a rugged and secure drive-thru consumer-operated payment solution, the QX720, that supports credit, debit and…

Milwaukee residents debate upscaled McDonald's

May 16, 2006

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Brookfield, Wis., residents are debating whether to allow the construction of an upscaled McDonald's. The common council…

Store size: Bigger isn't always better

In an age of colossal steaks, cavernous SUVs and four-person families nesting in 6,000 square-foot mini-mansions, some believe bigger is better. But in the day…

CKE Restaurants post solid April sales

May 2, 2006

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE restaurants reported positive numbers for the four weeks ended April 24. Carl's Jr. same-store sales increased 1.3 percent while…

U.S. appetite for fast-food grows, study says

April 19, 2006

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Despite criticism of fast-food by consumer advocacy groups and news stories warning about an obesity epidemic, QSR usage is up…

New design to save Culver's up to $150,000 per store

April 18, 2006

PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Responding to the rising cost of construction and a desire to expand into urban areas, Culver's has designed and is building a more…

El Pollo Loco walks a fine line

Neither fast casual nor QSR, the hybrid provides consumers with speed and quality.  

Tapping into the hispanic market

April 14, 2006

New York Times: At many American private equity firms, a Mexican food deal means sending the junior analyst out to buy tacos. At Palladium Equity Partners, it…

McDonald's posts strong Q1 and March sales

April 12, 2006

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's Corp. credited its breakfast menu and extended operating hours for strong same-store sales in March and the first quarter.

Remote call centers handle nationwide drive-thru orders

April 12, 2006

New York Times: An experiment in California is testing the efficacy of fast-food call centers. Employees go to work in Santa Maria and take orders from around…

KFC and Rostik's open first co-branded restaurant in Moscow

April 3, 2006

MOSCOW — Yum! Brands Inc. is opening in Moscow the first of many co-branded KFC-Rostik's restaurants. The remodeled Rostik's restaurant is 682 square-meters…

Taco Bueno names 2006 Vendors of the Year

April 2, 2006

DALLAS — Taco Bueno has named Lubbock, Texas-based Pedro's Tamales as its 2006 Food Vendor of the Year, and North Carolina-based The Roberts Group as its…

Bojangles' plays chicken with the competition

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

In the first quarter of 2006, the chain has signed 132 franchise commitments with 62 expected to close within 60 days.

Cover: Sonic gives customers choice

March 29, 2006

Nobody has to tell Sonic Drive-In that evolution is key to survival. America's largest drive-in chain is constantly changing its menu and adding new…

Face value: Looks matter

March 29, 2006

According to the National Restaurant Association, 44 percent of QSR operators plan to allocate a larger portion of their budgets to remodeling this…

McDonald's introduces new PlayPlace design

March 22, 2006

TULSA — McDonald's will open a new PlayPlace in Tulsa, Okla., March 27. According to a media announcement, the "R Gym" is exclusive to Tulsa. The gym has…

QSRs upscale to survive

From menu changes to more contemporary designs, the QSR is evolving.