economy

Consumer spending cools unexpectedly

Oct. 31, 2014

Expenditures in the U.S. dropped in September as incomes rose at the slowest pace of the year, indicating the economy will have difficulty sustaining a pickup in growth into the end of the year.

Burger King says fewer LTOs translated into biggest sales gain since 2012

Nov. 04, 2014

Comp sales for stores in the United States and Canada rose 3.6 percent, with only three significant menu changes.

This week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Election ups and downs

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 07, 2014

This week’s voting posed some opportunities for restaurants, but there’s cause for concern, too.

This week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Customers turn stupid

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 14, 2014

The customer isn't always right. Sometimes the consumer isn’t even sane, as events of the past week attest.

Frozen consumer spending shows first cracks of a thaw, NRA says

Nov. 20, 2014

Personal finance worries are still keeping would-be customers home, but 40 percent said they hope to spend more on restaurant meals in 2015.

This week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Slow-burns edition

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 12, 2014

After building for months, new realities emerged for restaurants overseas—and at their keyboards.

Group pegs BK’s tax savings from Canadian relocation at $400M

Dec. 12, 2014

Burger King has stressed that it didn’t relocate to Tim Hortons’ headquarters to cut its tax bill, but a watchdog group says the savings are considerable.

Canadian restaurant assn. is OK with provincial wage hike

Dec. 12, 2014

Raising the minimum of Canada’s second most populated province by the rate of inflation is “a fair and balanced approach,” Restaurants Canada says.

Famous Dave’s exits Richmond, Va., market

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 29, 2014

Three corporate stores were shut, and the franchisor says more could follow.

Romano's Macaroni Grill closes all Missouri locations, including Columbia restaurant

Dec. 30, 2014

The struggling chain is exiting the market as part of a revitalization effort.

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