Cracker Barrel to launch a fast casual in 2016
The family-dining chain is planning to launch a limited-service concept by next summer to expand its brand and "provide a different type of guest experience."
Chains jockey for heat-and-eat Easter sales
More brands are aiming to exploit the niche between catering and takeout with big meals packaged for the holidays. The going price: $109.99 for a 10-person spread.
More than half of the restaurant industry’s $491 billion in sales come from the Top 500 chains. And these giants grew at a modestly stronger rate, both in terms of sales and store counts, than the industry overall. Restaurant Business focused on the leading 250 performers to identify trends for our first-ever special report delivering lessons from Technomic’s annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. This special package includes lessons for all operators from the largest chains by segment, menu category and more.
2016 was a busy year for restaurant openings, with everyone from Chipotle to Pepsi launching revamped or brand new concepts. Here’s a look at the most notable openings of 2016, divided into seven categories: offshoots, brand extensions, fried chicken brands, poke brands, new spots from the big guns, revamps and game changers.