Top 5 2012 food innovation product predictions

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

Coconut is the leading hot flavor in the restaurant industry from the fine dining level to the QSR coconut shrimp level.

Winter not deterring iced coffee sales at Dunkin' Donuts

January 24, 2012

Although it's the middle of winter, iced coffee sales haven't slowed down at Dunkin' Donuts. According to an independent survey commissioned by the Canton…

How Subway created the top brand buzz

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Differentiation is the key to generating — and maintaining — positive consumer perception.

Taco Bell jumps into breakfast daypart

January 19, 2012

Beginning next week, Taco Bell will throw its hat into the fastest growing daypart in the QSR space. Calling it "First Meal," the Irvine, Calif.-based chain's…

NRA touts tourism as key to restaurant jobs growth

January 19, 2012

Mike Gibbons, former National Restaurant Association board chairman, has been named to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Board. The board's new members were…

McDonald's named a top global brand for 'consumer responsiveness'

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Interbrand's methodology factors in financial performance, role of the brand and brand strength.

McDonald's, Burger King offer gluten-free buns in Europe

January 18, 2012

Although such a widespread rollout has yet to hit domestic stores, McDonald's restaurants in Spain, Sweden, Finland and Norway now include gluten-free buns.

Pizza Hut, Subway, DQ ads among 'most effective'

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Ace Metrix measured consumer impact of every nationally breaking television spot in near real-time.

Restaurant industry's 2012 trends shaped by demographics, nutrition

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

NPD Group's research also expects retail competition to increase and commodity prices to affect menu offerings.

Wendy's testing high-end 'Black Label' burgers

January 16, 2012

Not long after rolling out its "mid-tier" W offering and Dave's Hot 'N Juicy line, Wendy's is testing yet another burger; this time on the higher-end of the…

A lesson in loyalty

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Recession or not, the restaurant industry is here and growing. Consumers spend a huge percentage of their food budgets on eating out at restaurants, and…

McDonald's UK replaces Happy Meal toys with books

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

January 11, 2012

McDonald's UK's latest Happy Meal promotion features Mudpuddle Farm books instead of traditional plastic toys.

Chick-fil-A grills chicken nuggets for healthier kid's meal

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

January 9, 2012

As more quick-service chains add healthier options to their kids' meals, such as apple slices and milk, Chick-fil-A has gone a step further, introducing…

TCBY introducing Greek Fro-Yo

January 9, 2012

TCBY has announced a new Greek Fro-Yo product, scheduled to appear in stores in April. The launch comes after the chain's successful roll out of Super Fro-Yo…

Bill Clinton to address 2012 NRA, Hotel-Motel Show attendees

January 8, 2012

Former president Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States, will address attendees at the 201…

Study: Differentiate marketing messages to teens, tweens

The Millennials spent $73 billion at restaurants in 2010.

Convenience stores, QSR, fast casual and the food police

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Perhaps it is consumers who should be studied further to uncover the reason for their behavioral disconnects, instead of placing all the blame on QSRs and…

What’s on your kids’ menu?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

About 8 percent of all Americans under the age of 18 have some kind of food allergy.

NPD: Global restaurant visits weak in Q3

January 3, 2012

Low consumer confidence and the stressed global economy were reflected in weak foodservice traffic numbers in most countries around the world in the quarter…

Wendy's Japan fancies up the menu with foie gras

December 29, 2011

Now that Wendy's has returned to Japan after a two year hiatus, the chain plans on wooing customers with higher-end options, namely a Foie Gras Rossini Burger…