Papa Murphy’s is No. 1 pizza brand for growth

July 26, 2010

Papa Murphy's International has announced  that it outpaced all pizza-industry competition in new store growth and U.S. systemwide sales in 2009, based on…

One in five people don't cook, Harris Poll finds

July 26, 2010

In what is ostensibly good news for the restaurant industry – and perhaps the reason why take 'n' bake and other closer-to-home-cooking takeout options are…

On-premise beer, spirits sales to grow

July 21, 2010

Citing a positive sales trend from restaurants and bars, Technomic has revised its forecast upward for sales of beverage alcohol sold away from home. Technomic…

Neapolitan-style pizza goes Disney World

July 20, 2010

Stateside Neapolitan-style pizzeria will be even more integrated into American culture when Via Napoli lands at iconic Epcot at Walt Disney World this summer.

'Healthy' menu items have grown 65 percent in last year

Last month's recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) confirmed what Mintel’s research and consumers have already been suggesting…

NPD: Unit counts decline for QSR, full service restaurants

July 19, 2010

According to foodservice market research by The NPD Group, while the U.S. restaurant unit count for quick- and full-service dining establishments has declined…

Early tech adopters are most avid restaurant consumers

July 15, 2010

Based on a model developed in the 1960s by researcher Everett Rogers, Technomic has found that consumers who are first to buy the latest technologies—from…

Making the right choice from the single-use ‘menu’

by Kim Frankovich — VP of Sustainability, Solo Cup Company

Ever stare at a menu for an eternity and still find yourself unable to make a decision?  Maybe you weren’t sure of your own priorities that day or maybe you…

Foodservice executives reveal surprising recovery drivers

July 13, 2010

Senior executives in the food and beverage industry see improved revenue and profitability this year and next, but caution that the jobs outlook in their…

June shows consumer spending growth to be slowing

July 13, 2010

Analysis completed by First Data Corp. showed consumers were slower to open their wallets in June, as compared May’s findings. The First Data SpendTrend tracks…

Restaurants should recognize “new luxury” purchasing trends

July 10, 2010

Luxury spending has rebounded the first few months of 2010, but the things people are splurging on have changed, according to an article in USA Today. The…

Study: Customers pay more for better service; retailers slow to catch on

July 6, 2010

A majority (61 percent) of Americans report that quality customer service is more important to them in today’s economic environment, and will spend an average…

Smartphone search latest tool for new customer acquisition

July 6, 2010

A new survey by Compete has found that nearly one in three smartphone owners has called or stopped into a local business after finding it using a local search…

Anatomy of a menu overhaul

How a deep dish pizza leader reinvented its menu in the time of health hysteria -- without eroding the brand

Trends in Eating Out: Hunker down, or exhale?

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

Nothing is more top of mind right now for those of us in the restaurant industry than the state of the economy.

Restaurant industry outlook softened in May

June 30, 2010

The outlook for the restaurant industry softened in May, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity fell below 100 for…

NRA: Show attendance increased 11%

June 29, 2010

A post-event review and analysis of the 91st annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the International Wine, Spirits and Beer…

Convenience stores give restaurants a run for customers’ money

June 29, 2010

A new report by foodservice consultant Technomic finds that the c-store segment nominally grew by 1.5 percent in 2009. That doesn't sound like a ton of growth…

NPD reports specialty coffee and breakfast sandwiches key to growth

June 20, 2010

According to market research firm The NPD Group, breakfast accounted for nearly 60 percent of the restaurant industry's traffic increase over the past five…

NPD reports specialty coffee and breakfast sandwiches key to growth

by

June 20, 2010

According to market research firm The NPD Group, breakfast accounted for nearly 60 percent of the restaurant industry's traffic increase over the past five…