Former Dunkin', Starbucks, Yum exec named Papa Murphy's CEO

June 15, 2017

Weldon Spangler, a former leader with Dunkin' Brands, Starbucks and Yum, has been named CEO of Papa Murphy's, effective July 17, the company announced. Jean…

&pizza comes 'home' to the Big Apple

June 14, 2017

Washington, D.C.-based &pizza is opening in the Big Apple next Tuesday, June 20, a news release said — which, as it turns out — is a homecoming of sorts…

Cicis reaps rewards of four-year revitalization

June 14, 2017

Pizza buffet chain Cicis said its 2013 revitalization plan is working, as proven by 16 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth through Q1 of 2017, a…

Oath pledges growth and good farm practices

June 14, 2017

Oath Craft Pizza said it's raised $7 million in a series B funding round led by Boston-based venture capital firm Breakaway Venture, bringing the total raised…

Play ball! Make local sports sponsorships work brand magic

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

Sports sponsorships hold big, positive benefits for restaurants at the local level, by connecting with customers in a fun, upbeat and even passionate level.

Firenza doubles national footprint by year's end

June 14, 2017

Firenza Pizza is set to nearly double its size in the next six months, thanks to its April merger with Persona Wood Fired Pizzeria, a news release said. 

C-Speak: How Hopdoddy relies on tech to customize training, showcase brand culture, streamline openings

Hopdoddy Burger Bar has taken every aspect of workforce management digital to enhance its in-person training, onboarding, and management procedures.

Commodities: The good news about last week? It's over

Stock exchange trading last week was brutal for pizza brands, levying stupefying drops in value over the trading week, especially to Domino's. There was some…

NetWaiter adds Google Connect

June 9, 2017

Restaurants can share their menus, hours, delivery details and other information thanks to the new Google Connect feature through NetWaiter that allows menus…

New England brand becomes 1st US pizza chain with animal welfare designation

June 9, 2017

A growing New England pizza brand has become the nation's first pizza chain to receive a rigorous animal welfare product designation for several of its…

'Order in': Grubhub acquires Foodler

June 9, 2017

Grubhub said today it is acquiring one of North America's biggest independent online food-ordering services, Foodler, in an all-cash transaction, a news…

America's tastes today? Cauliflower on pizza; radishes as raw meat

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

With rapid-fire delivery and an upbeat attitude, menu analyst and Kruse Co. owner, Nancy Kruse, last week told a standing room only crowd at the National…

Malawi's opens 5th location in Virginia

June 5, 2017

Malawi's Pizza is opening its first eastern seaboard location today in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a news release said. The chain has five locations but only…

Cicis gets 'a li'l "crusty"' just in time for new CMO

May 31, 2017

Cicis is showing its customers a little summer love by featuring three stuffed crust pizzas to usher in the warmer days ahead, a news release said. Included in…

Pizza Hut slices half off for golf championship

May 30, 2017

Pizza Hut is offering an online deal in honor of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship on May 31. For that Wednesday only, customers can get half off all…

Live webinar shows operators how to help diners 'see right through you' in the transparency age

May 30, 2017

Today's diners will not settle for anything akin to "mystery meat" or other food that smacks of artificial ingredients. They expect simplified ingredients and…

A gamut of great ways to make diners 'swoon' in June

by Seshu Madabushi — Founder & CEO, mKonnekt

If your brand's list of great things to celebrate, promote and connect with the community ends at Father's Day for the month of June, we've got a few surprises…

Arby's slides into pizza market

May 25, 2017

Pizza restaurateurs have just gotten yet another competitor in QSR brand, Arby's, which now offers pizza sliders, a news release said. 

Does your brand 'deliver' on delivery?

May 25, 2017

Delivery is today's "little darling" of the restaurant industry, as was just repeatedly proven in numerous presentations at this year's National Restaurant…

Leading restaurant recruiter on capturing and keeping those game-changing employees (Part 2 OF 2)

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

In this second part of this series on the importance of hiring innovators, we talk to recruitment and hiring company, Outmatch, for advice on how to attract…