Leaders of Fazoli's, Saladworks, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Grimaldi's, Focus Brands: 'Change is coming'

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

The sands are shifting almost daily and almost on every front: That's the verdict from five restaurant industry leaders who shared their views Monday on the…

Menu labeling: Big Apple again achieves what feds cannot

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

May 19, 2017

As the song says, "making it" in New York has long been seen as the route to also making it "anywhere." But that rule does not apparently apply to menu…

Commodities: Supply prices up, pizza stocks mixed

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

Most pizza commodities rose in price last week.

Drink it in: The growing importance of beverages on the bottom line

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

Execs from Coca-Cola Company, Krystal Company and S&D Coffee & Tea predict the year's coming beverage trends.

Commodities: Pizza stocks up + gas prices down = Frown inversion

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

Fuel prices are finally falling,  while all four stocks monitored here are gaining.

'Do you deliver ... profits?' This webinar does

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

Mastering delivery isn't easy, but this free May 18 webinar is a great place to learn how to re-ignite your program.

FDA delays: 1 more year to menu labeling enforcement

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

May 1, 2017

It's official: Menu labeling enforcement waits another year.

Commodities: Gas prices stabilize, Papa Murphy's takes hit

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

It was mostly good news for pizza restaurateurs on the markets last week, unless you operate under the Papa Murphy's sign, where stock values took a tumble…

Future franchisees are watching: What do they see in you?

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

Three restaurant industry leaders talk about branding strategy when it comes to the essential task of drawing franchisees in for business.

Rapid Fired Pizza adds 175 restaurants, 4 states, 2 franchising veterans

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

Rapid Fired Pizza is living up to its name today, announcing that it has signed two area development agreements with a pair of restaurant industry veterans who…

Commodities: Cheese prices up, wheat drops

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

There was good and bad news on the pizza-maker's trading tally sheet this week, as most stocks saw a bump in value. Prices for essential commodities, however…

3 execs describe how to take on the world without losing your brand

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

Taking a brand to another country is one of the most complex challenges a brand's leadership can undertake. At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit…

Wendy's twitter-mania: Is brand 'character assassination' a dead end?

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

There has long been a credo in advertising that great brands don't denigrate, they differentiate since some argue that when chains start taking shots at each…

Commodities: Pizza stocks take a tumble

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

The week before Easter found pizza operators with little to celebrate as stock values for the four brands monitored by this site continued their downward trend…

Restaurants dish out savings to soothe the stressed tax filer

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

Restaurants are doing their part to calm the masses with money-saving deals on Tuesday, the nation's day of shared tax-paying pain.

Free webinar: Is your franchise marketing strategy hurting or harming your brand?

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

How is your brand coming across with potential and existing franchisees? If you aren't sure or don't have a well-crafted strategy based on proven best…

Mergin' and movin' out in the pizza universe

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

April 12, 2017

Four pizza brands are planning additions to their worldwide restaurant system pies this spring, along with two other brands who are set to merge.

Pie Five, Firehouse, First Watch,Pei Wei execs discuss 'the good, the bad and the ugly' of online reviews

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

A recent survey found that 61 percent of the dining public check online reviews before visiting a restaurant. How those reviews can help or hurt sales was a…

Commodities: Cheese prices drop, so does Domino's stock

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

Overall, it was a fairly costly week for pizza operators' essential commodities, though ascending cheese prices returned to reality and the stock market…

It's spring in restaurantland and the stores are sprouting

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

At least four chains have announced plans for major growth initiatives, proving that expansion is the order of the day in the pizza and quick-serve sectors.