Family Dining

The holidays were good to Cracker Barrel

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 26, 2019

Takeout sales grew 20% last quarter as the company’s focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas paid off.

What’s next for Applebee’s and IHOP?

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 22, 2019

After a turnaround year, both of the Dine Brands holdings are looking at ways of increasing off-premise sales, particularly catering, and expanding into new types of markets.

Food

Flatbreads: Flat-out flexible

Sponsored content from our partner Rich's Foodservice on Jan. 14, 2019

While it might seem like bread, pasta and other carbohydrates have been permanently relegated to the back corner of the pantry recently, starch-lovers everywhere can rejoice: This year has been dubbed the “return of the carbs,” according to Technomic’s 10 Trends for 2014.

Food

Global flavors bring excitement to menus

Sponsored content from our partner FRANK'S® REDHOT® on Jan. 10, 2019

But consumers now crave the bold, adventurous flavors found in global cuisines—so much so that 37 percent of consumers now report that they’re actively seeking out different flavors, according to Technomic’s 2013 Flavor Consumer Trend Report.

Consumer Trends

Customers behaving badly: New hall of fame candidates

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 07, 2019

Recent eruptions suggest customers are losing perspective when a restaurant visit doesn’t go perfectly. But decide for yourself from these noteworthy examples.

Operations

2019 brings a rash of new laws affecting restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 02, 2019

Included are changes in a DUI standard and new requirements for boards of directors.

Operations

3 ‘gifts’ politicians are wrapping for restaurants this holiday season

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 21, 2018

The threat of a federal shutdown dominates the headlines, but other political developments could have more of an impact on the foodservice industry. Here’s a sampling.

Operations