Survey reveals restaurant operators are cautiously optimistic

October 28, 2009

U.S. restaurateurs are cautiously optimistic about the future and concerned about inflationary trends in commodity and labor costs for the remainder of 2009…

Traditional media like direct mail still best for pizza delivery outlets

October 27, 2009

Traditional media influenced more than 30 percent of recently surveyed pizza consumers, while online media like restaurant Web sites were the most influential…

'Brand' -- what does it mean to today's marketers?

by Sandy Lechner — client contact, The Synergy Media Team

With promotional dollars at a premium, "branding" needs to take a distant back seat to return-on-investment-based programs for many regional chains.

NPD: Foodservice traffic declines for fourth consecutive quarter

October 26, 2009

Summer is historically a peak season for the foodservice industry, but this past summer the industry realized its fourth consecutive quarter of traffic…

New Marco's Pizza LED lights cut lighting energy use in half

October 26, 2009

New Marco's Pizza franchise restaurants across Georgia that have been fitted with LED lights reported a roughly 50 percent decrease in lighting energy use.

Frozen pizza keeps Kraft Foods strong

October 25, 2009

Kraft Foods Inc. will report its third quarter results on Nov. 3. But some preliminary numbers show that frozen pizza has been a winner for the company, even…

Commodities update -- Week of Oct. 26, 2009

October 25, 2009

Block cheese prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange averaged slightly under $1.45 per pound, down 3 cents from the previous week's record high.   Block…

Franchise compensation report released

October 22, 2009

The "Franchise Compensation Report for 2010" has been released by FRANdata and includes compensation details about a wide range of positions at franchisors…

BJ's reports 55 percent increase in net income per share for Q3

October 22, 2009

BJ's Restaurants Inc. increased total revenue for the third quarter ended Sept. 29, but had a small dip in same-store sales compared with last year's Q…

Pizza Patron increased August comps 9 percent through $2.99 promotion

October 21, 2009

Pizza Patrón has announced a same-store comparable sales increase of 8.8 percent for August 2009. The company attributes a recession-busting promotion…

BJ's Restaurants debuts Pizookie dessert sampler and more

October 21, 2009

BJ's Restaurants Inc. has introduced five new menu items, including lightly breaded crispy calamari, a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, grilled BBQ chicken sliders…

People are willing to pay more for new flavors, study says

October 21, 2009

Consumers are interested in expanding their palates when dining out and want to patronize restaurants that offer innovative flavors. A new study from Technomic…

Picazzo's takes advantage of low lease rates in Arizona

October 21, 2009

Despite news of eight Domino's locations closing in the Phoenix area, Sedona's Picazzo's Gourmet Pizza & Salads just opened its eighth Arizona restaurant…

Zagat's 2010 America's Top Restaurants Report

Survey finds restaurant-goers are eating green, ordering online and craving Italian

To 'C' or not to 'C'?

Reviewing the pluses and minuses of commissary-made dough.

Commodities update -- Week of Oct.19, 2009

October 18, 2009

Block cheese prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange rose to their highest levels in about 11 months last week, averaging slightly over $1.48 per pound, up …

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchens opens four new stores at Prudential Center arena

October 15, 2009

Villa Enterprises Management, one of the nation's fastest growing multi-concept restaurant franchisors, has just opened four new restaurants at the Prudential…

Tyson's introduces Bonici line of pizza products

October 14, 2009

Bonici, the pizza brand from Tyson Food Service, has announced a new full line of pizza products. The new extensive line of Bonici pizza products includes:…

Cooks diversifying use of wood-burning ovens

October 14, 2009

Wood-fired ovens have recently gained traction in the world of pizza, as their high heat level cooks quickly and imparts a particular flavor. But more…

Recession-time wing boon causes price flip flops for chicken

October 13, 2009

The recession has been a boon for many wing restaurants, the New York times reported, as many perceived wings to be "an affordable luxury." Now, that upswing…