Commodities: Down, down, down … for all but Domino's

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

Commodities traders were invoking Johnny Cash's lyrics during trading in the week before Christmas, as prices on all pizza chain commodities except auto fuel…

News items from around the restaurant scene this week

December 22, 2016

Lots of brands are making end-of-year moves that are making a difference in the lives of their customers and communities. Here are a handful of news morsels…

Yum declares 1st dividend after split from China business

December 22, 2016

In its first dividend declaration since separation from its China business, Yum Brands Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share…

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…

Bridg partners with Papa Murphy's for big results with lapsed customers

December 21, 2016

Papa Murphy's recently partnered with Bridg to create buzz and business with the chain's lapsed customers, according to a company press release.

Global Q3 restaurant traffic holds it own

December 21, 2016

The restaurant industry worldwide was stable for Q3 2016 and, in fact, performed better than the previous quarter despite numerous events around the globe that…

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.

You can’t win an EEOC lawsuit, but you can prevent it

Of the 89,385 charges the EEOC reviewed in 2015, Retaliation, Race, Disability, and Sex discrimination were the most prevalent, and 28,000 charges, or 3…

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.

New food hub connects the local vegetable stand to biggest restaurant brands

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

December 20, 2016

Restaurateurs hoping for a central, tech-connected marketplace linking small local farmers to the skyrocketing number of restaurants, whose customers are…

Marco's to make its mark: Nearly 200 new sites by 2021

December 19, 2016

Marco's is making its move in a big way, announcing today that the chain will add nearly 200 new stores — mostly in the Midwest — within three to five years…

Commodities: Little joy to the world in pizza commodity prices

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

Papa John's was the only pizza chain that reported a markedly profitable week, while the other three brands monitored here remaining essentially flat or…

'OK, Google, talk to Domino's:' Google ordering begins

December 19, 2016

 Domino's Pizza today launched ordering via Google Home, its fifth AnyWare ordering capability addition this year, a news release stated. 

Vapiano franchising CEO named to exec board

December 16, 2016

Vapiano CEO Mario C. Bauer, will take a seat Jan 1, 2017, on the executive board for Vapiano SE, with responsibilities for developing new markets, new market…

Study: Customer data is growing player in restaurant marketing

December 16, 2016

Research from Winterberry Group found that guest data plays a key role in the way restaurants handle challenges, including increased competition, declining…

4 union organization changes restaurateurs need to know

Restaurant operators must take the time now to learn how recent union-relaterd labor rulings from the National Labor Relations Board may affect their…

Pizza Hut intros voice ordering via Alexa

December 15, 2016

Pizza Hut is giving its customers the ultimate in passive pizza ordering via Alexa Voice Service on Amazon Echo, Amazon Tap, Echo Dot, Amazon Fire TV and Fire…

Blaze opens 3rd Massachusetts site

December 15, 2016

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza is opening its third Massachusetts location on Monday in Boston, according to a company news release. The City Place site on Stuart…

Blast & Brew taps into allure of personal choice

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

The new Blast & Brew pizza and beer franchise gives customers creative choice regarding what's on their plates and how they most prefer to wash it down. Here…

Why Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit is taking on London

Restaurant franchises hoping to grow in the UK must embrace innovation and technology.