Firehouse Subs CEO on surging sandwich sector quality + pleasant surprises

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

Sometimes — when the restaurant gods are smiling on a brand — a new store prototype not only delivers on its objectives, but produces a whole new benefit or…

Pizza Hut, Subway offer put a pungent spin on seasonal scents

November 18, 2019

Seems a bit counter-intuitive as we enter the season of copious amounts of kisses and hugs, but at least two brands are making garlic the darlin' of the…

Togo's 2020 transformation: 'It's not just new paint'

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

Ask anyone who's made a deli sandwich, they'll tell you, making these mouthwatering monstrosities is both time and labor-intensive. But 48-year-old Togo's has…

Jimmy John's officially becomes an Inspire Brands company

October 18, 2019

Arby's and Sonic parent, Inspire Brands, Inc. has officially completed its acquisition of Jimmy John's Sandwiches, now making Inspire Brands the fourth largest…

McDonald's tags Beyond for plant-based burger test in Canada

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

QSR superpower, McDonald's, is entering the plant-based garden, with a test of its new P.L.T. burger in Canada.

Inspire Brands to buy Jimmy John's

September 25, 2019

Inspire Brands has announced that it has agreed to acquire fast casual sandwich chain, Jimmy John's, which will make it the nation's fourth-largest restaurant…

Lion's Choice: Fast food where customers slow down

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

In a QSR world driven by a faster-is-better mentality and constantly abuzz with talk of ghost kitchens and home delivery, one longtime St. Louis-based QSR…

Chick-fil-A/Popeyes chicken war yanked August business away from other QSRs

With the feathers settled on August's Chick-fil-A/Popeyes chicken sandwich face-off, the data has started to come in and it doesn't look great for other QSR…

From homelessness to selling $1K sandwiches: The story of Ike's Love & Sandwiches

From the depths of business failure and homelessness, to the height of restaurant brand success and a devoted fan base, the man behind Ike's Love & Sandwiches…

Subway puts Cornell MBAs to work on waste reduction

July 18, 2019

Subway and students in Cornell University's M.B.A. program are working together to come up with new ways to cut the brand's waste. Cornell graduate M.B.A.

The toll it takes when QSR customers 'lose it' on employees

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

'Soul-sucking' is how one fast food worker describes the constant parade of customer abuse she faces on the job, but that worker and others like her aren't the…

Half of US Subways to get new look by next year

July 11, 2019

Subway said today it intends to remodel some 10,500 U.S. Subway restaurants by the end of 2020, roughly half its presence nationwide. The company said in a…

It's all in the image: Pump up the power of QSR social media pictures

by Ashley Davidson — Senior Director, Media & Industry Relations, Fish Consulting

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what are the images your QSR uses on social media saying? These five social media image pointers are a great place to…

Subway tests lower-cal shakes with Halo Top partnership

July 1, 2019

Subway has made a big name for itself as a health- and weight-watching QSR and now it's taking that reputation right into a new territory by offering…

Subway India menu rolls in new wraps

June 20, 2019

Subway India has added loaded Signature Wraps with either multigrain or spinach tortillas as permanent menu items in the country. The wraps double the protein…

Subway father-daughter teams a Dad's Day delight

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

This Sunday is a day for the patriarch of the family, but at Subway it might also be a day that dad's delight and give thanks for the precious gift of…

Casey's General Stores snags IHOP president

June 6, 2019

Casey's General Stores Inc. said IHOP President Darren Rebelez will assume the role of its president and CEO effective June 24. She'll also join Casey's board…

Subway launching test June 27 making it 1st restaurant to bake King's Hawaiian bread in stores

June 4, 2019

Subway will soon start baking King's Hawaiian bread in 300 locations in Champaign, Illinois, Reno, Nevada, and Richmond, Virginia. On June 27, the new 8-inch…

Subway beefs up innovation team with 4 key leaders

May 30, 2019

Subway promoted its former vice president of culinary innovation, Len Van Popering, to serve as chief brand and innovation officer, where he'll oversee the…

Subway stirs things up at the Country Club with sandwich LTO

April 25, 2019

Subway is ushering in its Club Collection of LTO sandwiches, which take the idea of the popular Club sandwich a few steps further, according to a news release.