5 prep steps to maximize holiday restaurant business

by Seshu Madabushi — Founder & CEO, mKonnekt

Don’t look now, but the holiday season has, in the view of many, already started. For retailers, this is cash-or-crash time. For restaurant operators, this…

7 ways to "Wow" your customer base

Brands often over-think the process when they’re attempting to come up with great ways to "surprise and delight" their customers. It doesn't have to be…

Uncle Maddio's on franchisee failure: Lessons learned drive growth forward

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

When you build a brand, you are taking a chance on new franchisees. There will be failures, shares Uncle Maddio's. The trick is to turn those failures into…

Commodity prices rise amidst a week of restaurant turmoil

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

Amidst a week of bankruptcy announcements and less-than-rosy financial news across the restaurant industry, increasing commodity prices only rubbed salt in the…

Report reveals record wave of restaurant chain failings

October 17, 2016

An industry "over-expansion" is the culprit behind a wave of bankruptcy declarations by restaurant chains. 

Questioning why you got into this crazy business? Here's a place to find an answer

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

Though the readers of this website are involved in another sector of the food service industry, many of you still attended the Fast Casual Executive Summit…

Heard at the Fast Cas Exec Summit: Editors share favorite session quotes

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Another Fast Casual Executive Summit is in the books, and as always, it produced a plethora of insight.

Toast POS releases consumer report on technology, restaurant experience

October 12, 2016

A good number of consumers believe technology improves the restaurant experience, according to a study, conducted by Toast Restaurant POS, with 79 percent…

Epson announces exclusive customer loyalty solution release

October 12, 2016

Epson America, Inc has announced the release of Spendgo's latest POS platform.

Fast Casual Summit: Why being different is better for your brand

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

A restaurant's differences are its keys to greater value and desirability, says branding guru Sally Hogshead, CEO and founder of Fascinate.

How do millennials love thee? Let 'em count the ways

by Seshu Madabushi — Founder & CEO, mKonnekt

Millennials are a prime focal group for targeted marketing, a relatively untapped approach that marketers are slowly lining up to use for this age demographic.

Russo's plans major expansion in Middle East

October 7, 2016

Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen is moving into the Middle East. Chef Anthony Russo is seeking multi-franchise partners to meet growth plans calling for more…

California Pizza promotion pays homage to Pizza Month

October 6, 2016

It's National Pizza Month and California Pizza Kitchen is paying homage and bringing back a reimagined version of its Carne Asada Pizza.

The incredible growing menu: Taking your digital system chain-wide

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

As digital menus become the new standard at quick-service restaurants — both inside and at the drive-thru — it’s becoming increasingly critical to make these…

Reuters report says restaurants and robotics still haven't mixed

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

Reuters today published a story on the use of robots in food service, which shows that most restaurateurs are staying with humans for the bulk of their needs…

Study: UK says 'God save the restaurant industry'

October 4, 2016

NPD Group said its latest food service tracking results show that Brits may want out of the European Union, but their love of eating out has never been…

Free books and fire truck-delivered pizza: Two pizza powerhouses show benefits of cause-based campaigns

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

Mega-chain pizza brands, Domino's and Pizza Hut, are pulling out all the stops this fall to show the world how the Big Pie Guys and Gals do marketing with a…

Commodities: Yum Brands only gainer during a tough week for pizza stocks

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

Aside from Pizza Hut parent, Yum Brands, last week was a pretty rough one for pizza stocks.

Papa John's expands in land of the pharaohs

October 1, 2016

Papa John's is expanding in Egypt. Papa John's franchisee, Vantage Egypt for Tourism and Entertainment, operating for a decade, will open 18 more units, in…

Pizza Hut cuts pie prices for Pizza Month

October 1, 2016

Pizza Hut is promoting National Pizza Month this October by offering customers two medium pizzas at $6.99 each, with the customer's choice of style, toppings…