Continue to Site >>>

50 Great Ideas

The top industry ideas we've spotted in the last year

50 Great Ideas

41. Social tour for new sites

 Aug. 08, 2018

When convenience retailer Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries purchased a new site, its marketing leader Anthony Perrine went live on Facebook to show fans a “before” look that will be balanced wit...

50 Great Ideas

44. Modern play place

 Aug. 08, 2018

If they’re going to dine in, consumers want an experience that transcends the food. The parent company behind tech-focused CaliBurger has built a “virtual playground” for its units, allowing diners to...

50 Great Ideas

47. Packaged to travel

Aug. 08, 2018

As IHOP expanded more into off-premise, it ran into a problem with its signature combo meals not traveling well—so the chain created a proprietary packaging system. The result: a multitiered container...

50 Great Ideas

50. Compliance at your fingertips

Aug. 08, 2018

Matt Kritzer, a Jimmy John’s franchisee in Huntsville, Ala., has gone high-tech when it comes to safety compliance. His go-to tool: a wireless thermometer that reports every minute, allowing managers ...

50 Great Ideas

27. Charge it up

Aug. 08, 2018

Chicago’s Parlor Pizza wants to find ways to encourage its guests to stick around and order more food and drinks. One way it accomplishes that is by offering to charge guests’ phones. Specifically, th...

50 Great Ideas

30. Iconic expectations

Aug. 08, 2018

Today’s cocktail culture has ushered in a range of funky, nontraditional drinks on menus; imbibers don’t even always know what they are ordering. To set expectations and offer a point of reference, Wa...

50 Great Ideas

33. Watching the weather

Aug. 08, 2018

Denver-based Mad Greens has a weather prediction service programmed into its ordering system to help forecast sales. The chain has found that when it’s too warm or rainy, sales go down. It’s helped th...

50 Great Ideas

36. Yappy hour

Aug. 08, 2018

On Thursdays from 3-8 p.m., Cafe Adelaide & the Swizzle Stick Bar in New Orleans welcomes dogs with a full menu of their own, while their owners can opt for a $5 cocktail called Dog Day Afternoon....

50 Great Ideas

40. DIY desserts

Aug. 08, 2018

Supermarket chain Giant Eagle created an eye-catching and interactive DIY bakery experience in select locations. The display features colored sprinkles, piping bags and icings, which are kept chilled....

50 Great Ideas

42. Which water?

Aug. 08, 2018

To make it easier for servers to refill water glasses at Union Square Cafe in New York City, guests get a glass with a red stripe if they order sparkling water and a plain glass if they request still ...

  • Page 2