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5 successful pro athlete franchisees
For many professional athletes, restaurant franchising has been the path to lifelong financial stability once the final whistle blows on their playing days, and the most recent franchise deal between...
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Restaurant operators upbeat in September despite soft sales, traffic
Slightly more optimistic operator expectations for the months ahead helped keep the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Performance Index in positive territory for September despite softer...
View ArticleEat'n Park borrows NASA tactic to help reduce food adulteration, fraud
Running restaurants may not require a degree in rocket science, but at least one department at the 75-unit Eat’n Park family-dining chain is taking a NASA-like approach to its work. Bill Moore,...
View ArticlePapa John’s raises 2012 profit, sales guidance
Citing growth in third-quarter profit, revenue and same-store sales, Papa John’s International Inc. raised its guidance for 2012 earnings and sales trends, even as officials warned that commodity...
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Survey: Restaurants should expect hiring, retention pressures
The People Report Workforce Index, which measures expected market pressures on restaurant employment, rose again for the fourth quarter, indicating operators would continue to face recruitment and...
View ArticleCandy store
Rebecca Bills, corporate executive pastry chef for Block 16 Hospitality, which operates Holsteins, among other restaurants in Las Vegas, had a stand custom-made for this $15 sharable dessert, each...
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El Pollo Loco moves toward 'QSR plus' positioning
The El Pollo Loco grilled-chicken chain is ramping up growth with a new restaurant prototype and an emphasis on made-in-house quality that seeks to solidify the brand’s positioning as “quick-service...
View ArticleStarbucks to accelerate growth in 2013
Starbucks Corp. officials announced plans to accelerate growth in 2013 after reporting healthy increases in traffic around the globe — except in Europe — during its fourth quarter. In a call with...
View ArticleTexas Roadhouse 3Q revenue rises despite volatile commodities costs
Pressures on food costs and customer traffic are expected to be the biggest challenges for Texas Roadhouse for the rest of 2012 and into next year, but officials for the 385-unit chain readily...
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Sonic expands chicken sandwich offerings
Sonic Corp., known for its drive-in burgers and hot dogs, said Friday it has upgraded and expanded its chicken sandwich offerings. VIDEO Watch a commercial for the new chicken sandwiches RELATED •...
View ArticleResearch: Deal-driven restaurant traffic declined in 2012
Restaurant consumers have altered their expectations for brands’ value proposition and have become a little less deal-driven, according to new research from The NPD Group.The Port Washington,...
View ArticleCarrols: Menu, unit upgrades boost 3Q sales
Costs associated with the integration of 278 new Burger King units earlier this year dampened third-quarter results for Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., but the quick-service brand’s largest franchisee...
View ArticleBlaze Pizza names Carolyne Canady VP of franchise sales
The recently launched fast-casual Blaze Pizza concept has named Carolyne Canady vice president of franchise sales.Canady comes to the two-unit Blaze Pizza from Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., where she was...
View ArticleChef Eric Bauer brings local cuisine to Rancho Valencia
Rancho Valencia resort and spa, originally built in 1989 in the San Diego suburb of Ranch Santa Fe, reopened at the end of October after a $30 million transformation. Chef Eric Bauer is heading up the...
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Report: Restaurant sales flat, traffic down in October
RELATED• An open letter to restaurant consumers• Restaurants must win markets to fight consumer flux• More restaurant industry finance newsEditor's note: This exclusive series to Nation’s Restaurant...
View ArticleRestaurant industry sounds off on re-election of President Obama
Whether they threw their support behind President Barack Obama and the Democrats or former Gov. Mitt Romney and the Republicans, restaurant and association executives agree it’s time for the two...
View ArticleA salute to restaurants, the next responders
Editor's note: This exclusive series to Nation’s Restaurant News provides C-level insights into the sales and traffic data from clients subscribing to Black Box Intelligence, a financial performance...
View ArticleRestaurants rock the vote via Twitter
[View the story "Restaurants rock the vote via Twitter" on Storify]
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Garden Fresh tests new Sweet Tomatoes Field Kitchen concept
The parent of the Souplantation/ Sweet Tomatoes salad buffet chain on Wednesday opened the first of six new concept locations that will test a more upscale reinvention of the brand.RELATED• Garden...
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Taco Bell taps into demand for snacks with new desserts, nachos
Taco Bell will launch Thursday an expanded dessert menu with new sweet treats and a beefed-up version of steak nachos in an effort to expand its daypart reach.RELATED• Yum reveals growth strategies•...
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