The anti-app: why messaging is the new loyalty program

More than 60 percent of smartphone users download an average of zero apps every month, and most of those are opened only once. Roughly 75 percent of consumers…

Why 367 more days? A debriefing on the menu labeling delay

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Taking a step back from the new year-long extension in enforcement activation for menu labeling, brands need to give some thoughts to the road ahead and their…

4 mistakes killing your food cost margins

by Niall Keane — CEO of SynergySuite, SynergySuite

Every step of the food production process has to be watched carefully in order to control costs. A veteran restaurateur offers four potential mistakes that can…

Meal kit chain expands in the Gulf Coast

April 27, 2017

Meal assembly kit company, Dream Dinners, is expanding in Alabama after signing a franchise deal to open a store in Daphne. The deal is the start of what the…

California Pizza Kitchen delivers all the hits on its summer discs

April 26, 2017

California Pizza Kitchen has created a slew of warm weathers offerings in line with current cultural trends to eat for a longer, healthier life.

Want to grow your brand? Know the 3 Cs

by Elizabeth Friend — Strategy Analyst, Euromonitor International

China, chicken and coffee are three factors driving growth and profit in the current foodservice industry, according to Euromonitor International colleague and…

How well do you mitigate risk? Learn from those who have been there

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Companies face a new set of risks in today's marketplace due to new technology. The need to manage human resources remains as critical as ever.

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…

Restaurant industry upbeat for 2017; big year for digital marketing

April 24, 2017

This year promises to be a lucrative one for the restaurant industry, according to the Toast Restaurant POS "Restaurant Success in 2017 Industry Report," which…

Required restaurant allergen training: Wave of the future?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Many jurisdictions nationally may not yet have regulations mandating how restaurants can best keep customers free from allergens and other food safety threats.

Capturing today's diners? A lot of it is still about 'the money'

Even with the surprises that the AlixPartners diners' preferences poll has shown this week, in many ways it still all comes down to the fact that customers…

Operators and vendors join forces to set supply chain best practices

April 12, 2017

Foodservice supply chain company, HAVI, has joined with the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, food industry consultants at Kinetic12 and…

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…

2 pizza brands 'lightening up' spring menus

April 10, 2017

Both Mod Pizza and Blaze are taking decidedly "lighter touches" with their spring offerings, adding a few veggies to star on their menus. 

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.

Hot Heads & Rapid Fired Pizza founder on a regional growth approach

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

Hot Heads Burritos founder, Ray Wiley, is on a roll again, this time with a fast pizza concept, called Rapid Fired. The chain has taken a regional approach to…

Cowboy Chicken, Elevation Burger execs: Pay supply chain due respect or pay consequences

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

In a world, where customers are demanding that restaurants use ethically produced, sustainable and healthful ingredients, supply chain management has grown in…

Fast insights on crisis management, leadership development and restaurant/retail partnerships

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attendees at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Dallas got down to business with fast insights in three key business management areas.