C-store traffic gets a lift from foodservice offerings

July 7, 2014

Adding even more pressure to the increasingly competitive restaurant industry, convenience stores are getting a bump from consumers seeking out foodservice…

Restaurant industry adds 173K in first six months of 2014

July 7, 2014

Last week’s jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the national economy adding a net 288,000 jobs in June on a seasonally-adjusted basis. This…

Foodservice trends: What is the next Sriracha?

July 3, 2014

Technomic has identified trends emerging for the second half of 2014, including hot peppers and sauces beyond Sriracha, barbecue flavors in QSR handhelds, and…

Report: Dessert opportunities abound in QSR

July 3, 2014

A new report from Food Genius, titled “Icing on the Cake – Desserts” shows that desserts are available at nearly 70 percent of restaurant locations in the U.S.

Foodservice operators predict spike in sales in 2014

July 3, 2014

WeiserMazars LLP, an accounting, tax and advisory services firm, has published its second annual U.S. Food & Beverage Industry Study, which found that…

Consumer Reports: Low chain restaurant scores should be a ‘wake-up call’

Food quality now trumps location convenience for restaurant consumers.

Restaurant industry health and outlook hits a two-year peak

June 30, 2014

Driven by stronger sales and traffic levels and an increasingly optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant…

Foodservice packaging providers expect volume growth for limited-service concepts

June 30, 2014

According to an annual survey conducted by the Foodservice Packaging Institute, foodservice packaging converters, raw material and machinery suppliers…

Report: 93% of restaurant chains plan to raise menu prices

June 30, 2014

This year's unexpected food cost increases will likely to force chain restaurants to raise menu prices even as competition gets tighter. A new report from…

District of Columbia bans polystyrene food, beverage containers

June 26, 2014

The Washington Post reports that Washington, D.C. lawmakers voted Tuesday to ban the use of plastic-foam food and drink containers by 2016. Polystyrene foam…

Fledgling Russian foodservice market posts strong Q1

June 25, 2014

Great Britain led the developed markets in foodservice traffic gains and the fledgling Russian foodservice market continued to increase consumer visits in the…

Survey indicates further consolidation in the food industry

June 25, 2014

In light of recent intentions by Tyson to acquire Hillshire Brands, a new survey conducted by just-food.com indicates that half of international food industry…

Millennials want more than brand familiarity

by Ed Zimmerman — President, pizza.com

Younger consumers are willing to pay extra for products from companies with positive social, environmental impacts.

Winter weather dampens restaurant industry forecast

June 24, 2014

Following lackluster Q1 results, largely weather-related, Technomic now estimates 3 percent industry growth for 2014, a decline from its initial annual…

FDA to pressure restaurants to reduce sodium levels

June 23, 2014

The Food and Drug Administration last week announced it was preparing voluntary guidelines for the food industry to lower sodium levels. FDA Commissioner…

Franchise Assoc. CEO: Economy is on track to full recovery

June 20, 2014

Franchising growth is expected to grow significantly this year, according to new reports. FRANdata, which has been analyzing franchising activity for more than…

5 ways to ramp up your restaurant's customer service

Customers are now much more likely to make a comment about your business via social media where they can either gloat or vent their frustrations to an…

Breakfast drives 6 percent increase in bacon servings

June 18, 2014

Americans’ love affair with bacon isn’t showing any signs of fading. According to new research from The NPD Group, U.S. consumers ate about 1.1 billion…

Handful of California restaurants earn nutrition-based certification

June 18, 2014

The United States Healthful Food Council announced California’s first restaurants to achieve REAL Certification. They include: Nopa, The Plant Café Organic…

Here’s why the end is near for restaurant POS terminals

by Noah Glass — CEO, Olo

With the majority of consumers carrying web-enabled, location-aware devices and demanding self-service options, the days of POS terminals in restaurants may be…