NRN's - Quick Service

Guests report greater willingness to recommend QSR brands

MARK BRANDAU — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Quick-service chains that have attempted to strike a balance between value offerings and premium menu items likely are positioning themselves for success in the post-recession recovery, experts say.

Despite 1st-Q sales drop, BK sees potential in cheeseburger promo

SARAH LOCKYER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

After upping the ante in the value wars, Burger King already is seeing positive results from its $1 double cheeseburger promotion introduced in mid-October.

DiRoNA execs add casual, quick service to membership menu

RON RUGGLESS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Reflecting ongoing economic pressures and changing consumer preferences toward more casual dining, the Distinguished Restaurants of North America is broadening its membership beyond fine-dining restaurants to include notable casual independents and even iconic quick-service operators.

Teens look to spend, socialize at restaurants

SARAH LOCKYER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

In what is seen as a leading indicator of an economic recovery, teens in households with an average income of $75,000 are spending more at restaurants for the first time since the start of the recession, according to an October survey by investment bank Piper Jaffray & Co.

Increasing ad spending lets chains make a grab for market share

FERN GLAZER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

In these tough times, consumers are slashing their budgets and learning to do without—a strategy that likely will keep many Americans afloat until the economy recovers.

Panelists offer best global expansion intel

ALAN LIDDLE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

More than 90 percent of the net new restaurants added by McDonald’s and Burger King in their last completed fiscal years opened overseas, illustrating the importance of international expansion to maturing U.S.-based chains.

Innovation key to recovery, MUFSO ’09 attendees say

ALAN LIDDLE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Industry executives gathered here to share best practices during the 50th Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference made it clear they are relying on innovation to fuel their own economic recovery.

No big gains in the war on obesity, studies find

ELISSA ELAN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Two recent studies showing that menu-labeling initiatives and fast-food bans do not appear to be doing their intended jobs of improving eating habits—especially of lower-income people—are sparking discussion that more comprehensive programs are needed to curb the nation’s weight problems.

On a roll: Meals on wheels viewed as recession-proof franchise plan

LISA JENNINGS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

The mobile vending craze is switching into a new gear: franchising.

Bruegger’s Greco named Operator of Year at MUFSO’s 50th anniversary celebration

CHRISTI RAVNEBERG — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

James Greco, chief executive of Bruegger’s Bagels, took top honors at the recent Nation’s Restaurant News’ Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, earning this year’s Operator of the Year award

Billboards ‘super-size’ McD’s Angus message

ALAN LIDDLE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Breaking away from the pack of businesses trying to advertise across the small screens of phones and computers, McDonald’s operators here asked patrons to submit two-word slogans about the chain’s new Angus Third Pounders, which were then publicized on towering digital billboards.

Capriotti’s ready to talk turkey in aggressive expansion push

MEG HANDLEY — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

After three decades of slow growth, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is ramping up its efforts to bring its fresh roasted-turkey sandwiches to turkey lovers in new markets.

Burger King, Jack in the Box join discounting free-for-all

SARAH LOCKYER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

The quick-service value deals just keep on coming, and operators don’t expect them to end any time soon.

McD’s sales slump as even QSR traffic takes unemployment hit

SARAH LOCKYER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Not even McDonald’s is immune to the effects of rising unemployment in the United States and deep price discounting throughout the quick-service sector.

Chipotle finds solution to grow pay increase for tomato pickers

ALAN LIDDLE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

After months of negotiations, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has found a way to get an extra penny per pound of tomatoes, or a 64-percent pay increase, to the tomato pickers that gather Florida tomatoes for the restaurant chain.

Industry says zoning report, fast-food ban near schools takes wrong direction

PAUL FRUMKIN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Industry officials are assailing a recently published report recommending that local governments seeking to curb obesity should ban fast-food restaurants from operating near schools and in certain neighborhoods.

Burger King’s sales fall in 4th Q, signaling more pressure for QSRs

SARAH LOCKYER — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

A sales slip in Burger King’s latest quarter had analysts and investors discussing the future prospects of quick-service concepts amid the harsh environment of rising unemployment, slowed consumer spending and deep menu price discounting.

Franchising sees fresh interest from eager operators, investors

DINA BERTA — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Franchising inquiries have increased, so Scott Hinshaw, executive vice president of franchise operations and development for Domino’s Pizza, has hired more people to work in his department at the chain’s Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters.

Quick-service operators herd beef onto breakfast menus

Steve Coomes — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

Where's the beef, you ask? A lot of it is showing up on breakfast menus at chain and independent quick-service restaurants determined to appeal to value-conscious customers at the daypart that kick starts their day.

McDonald's units in Chicago offering $1 breakfast items

Mark Brandau — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:01:18 GMT

McDonald’s units in the Chicago area this week began offering several breakfast items for $1 to drive traffic during the morning meal.