operations

Mix it up with Middle Branch's Lucinda Sterling

By Patricia Cobe on May 27, 2014

With a B.S. in psychology and business, Sterling’s goals did not include professional bartending, but her skills turned out to work to her advantage.

Restaurant trends from across the pond

By Patricia Cobe on May 27, 2014

The British restaurant scene is booming, according to Peter Backman, an annual visitor to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Backman sat down with Senior Editor Pat Cobe to share some other insights into what's trending in the U.K. Did someone say "fast casual"?

Starbucks' end run into the fast-casual burger market

By Peter Romeo on May 28, 2014

The latest business departure of the ever-diversifying coffee giant calls for the launch next month of a fast-casual burger place hiding in a café.

Leadership

The rainmaker: Phil Romano shares industry knowledge

By Peter Romeo on May 29, 2014

Phil Romano has a knack for creating restaurant concepts that set industry standards. His next venture: Sharing that knowledge with the next generation of restaurant entrepreneurs.

McDonald’s to refranchise 1,500 restaurants

May 29, 2014

As part of a plan to boost slipping profits, the burger giant plans to sell a chunk of company-owned units—largely outside the U.S.—to franchisees by the end of 2016.

The week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Bombshell revelations edition

By Peter Romeo on May 30, 2014

Cracker Barrel plans a fast-casual entry, chains stress there’s actual cooking in their kitchens, fast-food breads rise into more exotic territory, employers detail their pay ladders and Chipotle reveals its throughput and why franchising is unfair to talent.

Minneapolis restaurants ready to get rid of foam containers

Jun. 03, 2014

As Minneapolis joins dozens of U.S. cities in renewing its ban on polystyrene foam, a lot of restaurant owners say they already are prepared or are looking into greener options to meet next year’s deadline.

Keep the kids away

By Sara Rush Wirth on Jun. 03, 2014

While Associate Editor Sara Rush wouldn't ban kids from restaurants outright, she makes the case that restaurants that welcome kids need to remember guests who prefer to dine without the pitter patter of little feet running around—and make accommodations that keep the peace.

The value of family friendly

By Kelly Killian on Jun. 03, 2014

Recent headlines spotlight restaurants that ban kids or offer discounts when they behave as they should. But Executive Editor Kelly Killian argues that good restaurants know how to serve both families and guests without kids equally well.

PDQ founders going for WTF with new restaurant concept

Jun. 04, 2014

Technically, the name is Wow! That’s Fresh. But Outback Steakhouse and PDQ co-founder Bob Basham likely doesn’t mind the shock value of the name. The fast-casual concept will feature pizza and salads as well as burgers.

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