3 trends hitting foodservice

by Nate DaPore — President and CEO, PeopleMatter

The next big thing to hit foodservice is gamification, especially in marketing.

2012 will be the year of more information

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

Miniature portions, specialty beverages are among the trends to watch.

We've always done it this way

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

The market will be significantly different just three years from now; you have to change with it.

Thanksgiving and giving thanks

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

An often overlooked trend in the restaurant industry is giving back.

Are we there yet?

by Lori Walderich — CMO, Top That! Pizza

Consider a few strategies to build a brand in bad(ish) times.

What’s in a Brand?

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

The pizza industry is so focused on coupons, promotions and LTO's that we drive consumers to look for more for less.

Millennials' brand preferences shift due to household structures

by Melissa Abbott — Director, Culinary Insights, The Hartman Group, Inc

While use of technology and social media among Millennials is legendary (they've never known a time that wasn't digital), new Hartman Group research finds…

Are you in the game or sitting on the sidelines?

by Tim McCallum — President, Combustion Media

Game on! There are two great teams in the 2011 World Series. I am from Texas, "Go Rangers!"

The Net Promotor Motor

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Restaurant owners and executives are constantly looking for the biggest bang for their buck when it comes to spreading the word about their restaurant. Getting…

How Domino's, Shake Shake used 'quality' to galvanize brands

by Melissa Abbott — Director, Culinary Insights, The Hartman Group, Inc

We know the place, or know of such a place. The quaint restaurant, locally owned by a couple; she's the chef, he runs the front. Menus are handwritten and…

How to be successful with neighborhood marketing

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Common wisdom in the restaurant industry says that 80 percent of a store's business comes from a three to five-mile radius. A second rule of thumb is that it…

Get your pizza message off and running

by Jennifer Wright — CFO, Ecovention, LLC

In June this year, I received a fun, albeit slightly daunting, invitation from Edward Sylvia, owner of Pizza by Certe’.  Chef Ed, as he is affectionately…

Will Groupon be the next Pets.com?

by Nate DaPore — President and CEO, PeopleMatter

Groupon continues to be front and center in the foodservice industry. A day doesn't go by where I don't hear the name Groupon from an operator, see an RSS feed…

Are you delighting your customers?

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

The growth in our industry is just mind-boggling when you think about it. According to the NRF, you and I now spend 49 cents of every food dollar on dining…

Mobile website or app: Which is better for your business?

by Nash Sherchan — VP Marketing, iMediAd Hospitality

The one thing I always get asked about going mobile is whether a restaurant should build a mobile site or mobile app.

Drive sales with kid-centric meals

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Many pizzerias feel the pinch of a stubbornly slow economy. High gas and food prices have many families cutting back on dining out or trading down to less…

What small operators have that the giants don’t

by Tim McCallum — President, Combustion Media

While attending the W.I.S.E. Summit in Chicago last week, I listened to some of our greatest examples of entrepreneurship and success from the likes of:

When school bells shine, opportunities climb

by Marla Topliff — President, Rosati's Pizza

Families with children are so significant to foodservice that it is important to understand who makes the decision on what and where to eat. Most food service…

6 Degrees of Pizza Bacon

by Marla Topliff — President, Rosati's Pizza

Nearly everyone can agree that advertising is an important aspect of marketing, but there is much more to marketing than just advertising. In fact, nearly 8…

You can't ignore social networking

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com