Continue to Site >>>

economy

Consumer Trends

Kiddie meals with toys on the decline

 Jun. 15, 2012

Are Happy Meals history? According to The NPD Group, there's been a 6% decline within the past year in kids meals containing toys at fast-food restaurants. NPD attributes the decline to several factors.

Consumer Trends

A taste for authenticity

 Jun. 25, 2012

In recent years, consumption of ethnic foods has increased—both in and out of the home—and market researcher Mintel predicts steady future growth. Global cuisines and flavors are a constant craving for Americans. However, certain factors go into creating a successful ethnic menu.

Restaurant Performance Index Dips Slightly, but Still Tops 100

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jul. 05, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 29, 2012/PRNewswire via COMTEX) -- The outlook for the restaurant industry remained positive for the months ahead, as the May National...

Foodservice Demand Growing for Potatoes

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jul. 16, 2012

WISCONSIN (July 16, 2012 - The Packer)—A sluggish economy hasn’t dented foodservice demand for potatoes.“The baked potato isn’t going anywhere,”...

Consumer Trends

NRA creates foundation to aid those who've served

Jul. 23, 2012

The National Restaurant Association has created a new foundation to help military personnel, veterans and military spouses get training and other forms of assistance for pursuing careers in foodservice.

Consumer Trends

Restaurant visits up on both sides of the pond

Jul. 25, 2012

Americans and Brits are eating out more often, according to two reports released this week. The NPD Group, a Chicago market research firm, delivered the upbeat news that the industry posted a 0.5% gain in restaurant counts in Spring 2012. And the latest QuickBite survey by London-based Horizons found that the average British adult had eaten out 2.77 times during two weeks this June, compared with 2.02 times in July, 2011.

The price-conscious young professional

By Restaurant Business Staff on Aug. 01, 2012

See what price-conscious young professionals eat throughout the week.

The leftover king

By Restaurant Business Staff on Aug. 01, 2012

Day 1: Spent most of the day hungry. Found a box of granola bars in the work van. Got off work around 5, came home and made dinner. I made a bean salad. It’s cheap, healthy, tasty and filling. I also put a frozen pizza into the oven that I split with my sister.

Food

As American as pizza pie

By Patricia Cobe on Aug. 01, 2012

The popularity of pizza sees no signs of waning. In fact, pizza fans took a larger slice from the pie in 2011, as sales rose 2.2 percent to $33.6 million, according to data from Mintel. And an even healthier gain of 2.9 percent is projected for 2012.

Restaurants Resist Price Hikes to Keep Cost-Conscious Consumers Loyal

By Restaurant Business Staff on Aug. 06, 2012

The restaurant industry has taken quite a beating over the past several years as cost-conscious, recession-weary consumers pulled back on dining out. Now, after regaining some steam as the economy improves, restaurateurs face another challenge, this time from Mother Nature.

  • Page 65