PotatoPro: News on QSR Restaurants

Ventas McDonald's octubre caen 0,1 pct en EEUU

Jorge Alonso — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:54:09 GMT

McDonald's reportó el lunes una caída del 0,1 por ciento en las ventas comparables de octubre en Estados Unido, impactada por la débil demanda de sus nuevos productos y de sus opciones más...

Sodium lawsuit against Denny's dismissed

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:34:29 GMT

A New Jersey Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing Denny's Corp. of perpetrating fraud by not disclosing the amount of sodium in its food. The lawsuit, the first sodium-related...

McDonald's U.S. same-store sales slip in Oct

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:36:00 GMT

McDonald’s domestic same-store sales for October, while down a slight 0.1 percent compared with a year earlier, still fared better than many analysts predicted after the company tempered expectations...

Restaurant earnings marked by slow sales, cost cuts

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:40 GMT

Third-quarter earnings results continued to showcase both bottom-line improvements driven by cost cutting, as well as stalled sales driven by consumers’ reluctance to start spending. Wendy’s and...

Presenta Burger King ganancias en primer trimestre fiscal

Jorge Alonso — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:04:51 GMT

La cadena estadounidense de hamburguesas Burger King Holdings Inc reportó el jueves ganancias para el primer trimestre fiscal menores a las esperadas y dijo que persistirá el impredecible ambiente...

Burger King First-Quarter Earnings Fall 6.4% as U.S. Sales Drop

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:38:02 GMT

Burger King Holdings Inc., the second-largest U.S. hamburger seller, said first-quarter earnings declined 6.4 percent as sales in the U.S. and Latin America dropped. Net income fell to $46.6...

Who is cutting back on what

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:45:34 GMT

It's common knowledge that consumers have been trying to economize in the past year. But where have they been focusing their efforts at austerity? Inquiring about specific money-saving steps...

McDonald's Third Quarter Earnings Rise on Strong Global Results

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:13:51 GMT

McDonald's Corporation today announced strong results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, fueled by positive comparable sales in every area of the world. In constant currencies, the...

Jim Skinner cautions on McDonald’s October sales

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:05:48 GMT

After posting another quarter of positive sales trends and profit growth, McDonald’s Corp. said October could be the month when its momentum finally falters in the face of the U.S. recession. Chief...

United States Restaurants' 3Q results likely to show slow sales

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:34:16 GMT

As third-quarter earnings season begins this week with some of the largest restaurant companies reporting results, including McDonald’s, Brinker International and Chipotle, analysts are expecting...

McDonald's busca crecer en India y apuesta a una hamburguesa de papa

Jorge Alonso — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:16:34 GMT

McDonald’s se lanzó a conquistar el mercado indio con unas innovadoras hamburguesas hechas con puré de papas, arvejas y especias. El combo con este sándwich vegetariano se llama McAloo Tikki y,...

Potato burger highest-grossing menu item For McDonald's India

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:11:17 GMT

McDonald's Corp. is staking its future in India on burgers made from mashed potatoes, peas and spices. Sumil Mittal says it's a good bet. Mittal, 19, sits beneath the golden arches at a McDonald's...

Saber cuántas calorías se comen no cambia los hábitos en Nueva York

Jorge Alonso — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:10:05 GMT

La ley que obliga a los restaurantes de comida rápida de Nueva York a especificar el número de calorías fracasó en inducir al consumidor de escasos recursos a comer más sano, reveló un...

Study: New York calorie postings don't change orders

Marja Kuijsten — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:02:50 GMT

A rule that requires New York City fast food restaurants to post calorie information on their menu boards has not changed consumer habits in low-income neighborhoods, according to a study published...

Polémica ante la apertura de un McDonald's en el Louvre

Jorge Alonso — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:56:35 GMT

La decisión de McDonald's de celebrar su aniversario en tierras francesas con la apertura de uno de sus restaurantes de comida rápida en el museo del Louvre ha levantado ampollas entre los amantes...

McDonald's restaurants to open at the Louvre

Marja Kuijsten — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:21:12 GMT

Lovers of France's two great symbols of cultural exception – its haute cuisine and fine art – are aghast at plans to open a McDonald's restaurant and McCafé in the Louvre museum next...

Piden dejar de promocionar comida rápida entre los niños

Jorge Alonso — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:12:57 GMT

Consumers International (CI) hace un llamado a las empresas a detener la promoción de alimentos con alto contenido de grasas, azúcar y sal, dirigida a la población infantil, como parte de una...

Bannock Russet new potato variety for McDonald's french fries?

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:11:42 GMT

From the fields of Idaho to tasting rooms in suburban Chicago, potato farmers, researchers and industry representatives are in the midst of an elusive hunt: finding a new spud for McDonald's french...

Unemployment Will Delay Recovery for Foodservice Industry

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:22:32 GMT

Current economic indicators point to recovery, but persistent high unemployment will continue to plague the restaurant industry several months after the recovery is underway, according to The NPD...

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

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:28:48 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. The chain posted a 1.7-percent uptick in U.S....

Subway Set to Overtake McDonald's in number of outlets

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:31:08 GMT

In the next few months, Subway will become the world's largest fast-food chain in terms of locations. With 31,771 at press time and expecting to pass 31,800 this week, Subway is racing toward...

Dueña argentina de McDonald´s sale a buscar plata en el exterior

Jorge Alonso — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:40:08 GMT

Arcos Dorados, la compañía con base en Buenos Aires que controla los locales de McDonald's en América latina, planea emitir un bono en el exterior, informó la agencia Bloomberg. La empresa designó a...

Las ventas comparables de McDonald´s aumentan pero no alcanzan las previsiones

Jorge Alonso — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:49:59 GMT

McDonald’s ha anunciado que sus ventas comparables globales han aumentado un +2,2% en el mes de agosto, lo que se sitúa por debajo de las previsiones del consenso de un aumento del +2,5%.

Restaurant Industry criticizes report’s suggestion that fast-food bans will curb obesity

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:56:20 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...

King Krinkz, King Kolossalz, King Wedgez: the new Microwaveable French Fries from Conagra Foods Lamb Weston

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:29:46 GMT

Burger King Corp. has entered into a licensing arrangement with ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston whereby Lamb Weston will introduce a retail line of crispy and flavorful microwaveable Burger King branded...

Growth in Global Foodservice Equipment Market: Five Key Factors Beyond the Recession

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:59:41 GMT

Even with the global recession, the $20 billion market for foodservice equipment is formidable and is expected to grow on the strength of five vital factors highlighted in "World Market for Food...

Today's kids' menus are so.... last year.

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:19:12 GMT

Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks restaurant menu trends, says the average kids’ menu doesn’t offer enough variety or healthy food, even as parents, kids and chefs alike call out for better...

Burger King gana el 6% más en un año

Jorge Alonso — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:47:03 GMT

LA CADENA estadounidense de comida rápida ganó 200,1 millones de dólares (139 millones de euros) en el ejercicio fiscal cerrado el pasado 30 de junio. Las ventas anuales crecieron el 3%, gracias al...

Burger King F2009 Q4 Comparable Sales shrinks 2.4 %

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:34:38 GMT

Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BKC) today reported results for the fourth quarter and the full 2009 fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. Fourth Quarter Highlights: Strong development growth...

Energy Efficiency in Fast Food Restaurants

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:44:26 GMT

Until this year, Bassam Odeh had no way of knowing whether an employee at his fast-food restaurants had left open the door to the freezer or the walk-in cooler. Now he gets a text message whenever...

Burger King met hoogste omzet verbouwd

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:14:20 GMT

Het restaurant van Burger King op Schiphol is gerestyled. Het best presterende restaurant ter wereld van de keten, zet met de nieuwe look een Europese trend. Met de nieuwe inrichting en aankleding...

McDonald's VP Bob Langley on sustainability

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:06:04 GMT

McDonalds (MCD) has been vilified by a number of movies and books, including Fast Food Nation. The company is a favorite punching bag for environmental and nutritional activists. While Big Mac's are...

Ventas mundiales de McDonald's habrían subido en julio

Jorge Alonso — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:57:02 GMT

Las ventas mundiales de la transnacional de comida rápida habrían experimentado un incremento en 4.3%, por encima de las proyecciones. Europa lideró las subidas con un crecimiento del 7.2%, gracias...

McDonald's July sales up 4.3%

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:13:01 GMT

McDonald's said global sales gained 4.3 percent in July, more than some analysts estimated, on demand for McCafe coffees and international sales. The stock rose in U.S. trading. Sales at U.S....

Potato Dehy Manufacturer Basic American Foods helps foodservice with "Menu economics"

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:46:42 GMT

Basic American Foods, the largest manufacturer of dehydrated potato products in the United States offers a program called "Menu Economics". This program is designed to help restaurant...

Results of franchisee Carrols' a troubling sign for Burger King

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:13:56 GMT

Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., the largest Burger King franchisee, provided the first official glimpse into the No. 2 burger brand’s latest sales trends, and it wasn’t good. While analysts and...

Restaurant finds solution for crinkle cut fries in Urschel's DiversaCut Sprint™ Dicer

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:39:15 GMT

“There are people that are huge fans of fresh crinkle cut fries,” according to Ken Schiller, owner of the newly opened Mighty Fine Burgers Fries Shakes in Austin, Texas, “If it’s frozen, it’s no...

Delaware French fry vending machine startup gets state funding

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:52:13 GMT

One of the country's leading manufacturers of frozen potatoes worked more than 20 years trying to perfect a french fry vending machine, with little success. In the 1990s, another company promised...

NPD Spring 2009 Restaurant Count Shows Units Down by 4,000

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:45:30 GMT

There are 4,000 fewer restaurants in the United States this spring than there were last spring, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. NPD’s Spring 2009 ReCount®, which is a...

McDonald's stock tumbles as same-store sales disappoint

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:14:59 GMT

McDonald's proved Thursday it's not immune from the world's economic problems, as the fast-food giant disclosed June sales (McDonald's Q2 results) that were below Wall Street's expectations,...

Sodium Levels at Denny’s Prompt CSPI supported Class Action Lawsuit

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:59:40 GMT

Most Denny's meals are dangerously high in sodium, putting the restaurant chain's customers at greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, according to a class action lawsuit filed...

WASH study: Foods in Canada contain more salt than elswhere

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:21:58 GMT

A study by the British-based World Action on Salt and Health, or WASH, compared the salt content of 260 food products under global brands such as KFC, McDonald's, Kellogg, Nestlé, Burger King and...

Cooking oil in Taiwan safe after all: no arsenic found in extensive additional testing

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:47:07 GMT

In Taiwan, the Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Ching-chuan said a sweeping examination of cooking oil used by 1,580 restaurants and samples from oil producers and importers shows no traces of...

McDonald's to move European Headquarters from London to Geneva

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:22:47 GMT

U.S fast food company McDonald's Corp (MCD) will move its European headquarters from London to Geneva later this year due to concerns over taxes in the U.K., the Sunday Telegraph reported. The...

La Papa (NYC) - not your ordinary baked potato

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:44:13 GMT

At first glance, the menu at La Papa may fail to impress some jaded NYC diners. After all, it’s “just” a place that sells topped baked potatoes. But to dismiss La Papa so quickly would be doing both...

Burger King's marketing strategy: offend and apologize

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:22:21 GMT

How's this for a global marketing strategy? Each month target a different international market with an ad that offends some segment of the population, then, after earning a lot of media attention,...

New Zealand Chip (French Fries) Shop Competition Is On Again

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:16:37 GMT

The search for New Zealand’s top chip shop kicks off this month, with registrations opening for shops wanting to take part in the ‘That’s Life! Best Chip Shop Competition 2009’. This year,...

Studies show waning optimism among restaurateurs

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:07:17 GMT

Newly released research from a trio of sources points to slowed restaurant industry sales trends and weakened consumer confidence in the early summer months, snapping a string of recent positive news...

Restaurant Chains in California prepare for menu labeling

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:24:43 GMT

Chain restaurant operators throughout California said they are prepared to comply this week with the first phase of a state menu-labeling mandate, but many noted that preparation did not immediately...

New York City Wages War On Sodium

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:29:04 GMT

In New York City, it was a straightforward suggestion that left a lingering aftertaste in many people’s mouths: The city’s Department of Health and Hygiene exhorted restaurants and food manufacturers...

Idaho Fry Co., potato commission agree to new name for Boise business

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:55:09 GMT

Idaho Fry Co. co-owner Blake Lingle said Tuesday that he and his business partner met with officials at the Idaho Potato Commission and came to an agreement on a new name for the business. Plans for...

Wendy's, Arby's to debut co-branded stores in Middle East Africa Expansion

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:14:34 GMT

Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) today announced an agreement with Saudi Arabia-based Al Jammaz Group to build 135 dual-branded Wendy's(R) and Arby's(R) restaurants in nine countries in the...

Frugal Consumers Could Squeeze Restaurants As Costs Rise

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:41:27 GMT

Restaurants could see their margins squeezed as inflationary pressures return to the commodity markets, especially as the chains find it harder to wean customers off a steady diet of meal deals....

Phillipine potato growers looking towards french fries

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:11:56 GMT

It is still an uphill climb for Benguet’s potato growers (Phillipines) who hope to clinch a niché in the lucrative French fries industry. The province produces most of the country’s supply of...

McDonald's aumentó sus ventas un 5.1% en el mundo pese a crisis

Jorge Alonso — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:04:39 GMT

La mayor cadena de comida rápida a nivel global, McDonald's, reportó un crecimiento de 5.1% en sus ventas de mayo (en los locales abiertos hace al menos 13 meses), empujado por la fuerte demanda en...

Thuis frites en snacks bakken meer in zwang

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:40:16 GMT

Supermarkten hebben meer frites en snacks verkocht in vergelijking met dezelfde periode vorig jaar. De hoeveelheid aan aardappelproducten nam met 2,4 procent toe, die van snacks met 2,2 procent...

Eatery's name proves to be hot potato

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:28:45 GMT

Maybe the owners of the Idaho Fry Co. should have done a little more research before picking a name for their startup restaurant in Boise. On the other hand, their alleged violation of the Idaho...

Compromise on menu-labeling reached

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:53:01 GMT

A negotiated bipartisan agreement by three U.S. lawmakers that combines key elements of two existing Senate menu-labeling bills is drawing wide praise from inside and outside the industry. Sens. Tom...

McDonald's May global comparable sales up 5.1%

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:04:40 GMT

McDonald's Corporation announced today that global comparable sales rose 5.1% in May. Comparable sales increases by segment were as follows: U.S. increased 2.8% Europe increased...

Jim Skinner (McDonald's) picks up CEO honor

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:21:23 GMT

Jim Skinner, president and chief executive of McDonald's Corp., was selected as one of Brendan Wood International's 66 TopGun CEOs, the corporate advisory firm said Friday. Skinner was the only...

The Idaho Potato Commission Addresses The Idaho Fry Company's Name Controversy

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:33:30 GMT

Recently, there has been a lot of media attention and public discussion about the Idaho Fry Company's name. The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) would like to share its side of the story and correct...

Idaho Fry Company vs Idaho Potato Commission

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:27:39 GMT

A creative Boise eatery that spotlights Idaho's most famous crop has run afoul of the very agency that promotes its most famous crop. The Boise Weekly reports online that the Idaho Potato Commission...

Kwartaalomzet cafetaria’s 1,5 procent hoger

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:08:38 GMT

De omzet in de cafetariabranche is het eerste kwartaal van 2009 gestegen met 1,5 procent ten opzichte van dezelfde periode een jaar geleden. De kwartaalomzet in de gehele Nederlandse horecabranche...

Burger King Corp. Announces Three Additions to Kids Meal Menu That Meet Its Stringent Nutrition Criteria

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:57:52 GMT

Burger King Corp.(NYSE:BKC) announced today that it is enhancing its BK® Kids Meal menu with offerings that meet its stringent nutrition criteria for advertised Kids Meals, as part of the company’s...

McDonald's stresses growth in weak economy

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:05:15 GMT

McDonald's Corp. expects to carry on in successfully besting the recession, the restaurant giant's chief executive told shareholders Wednesday, even as some fast-food chains have shown recent signs...

KFC: Grilled chicken frenzy brought good publicity

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:08:33 GMT

Combine Oprah Winfrey's endorsement with a chicken giveaway and what do you get? For KFC, the result was an avalanche of attention, some positive, some negative, for its national rollout of Kentucky...

Grater Tater: Restaurant in Burlington offers diners hundreds of potato possibilities

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:50:14 GMT

It was a trip to the Wisconsin State Fair that sparked two Burlington-born sisters into opening a potato bar restaurant in their home town. Micki Gebel couldn’t help but notice the long lines that...

US Restaurant Food prices rise twice as fast as Grocery Food Prices

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:38:26 GMT

The latest Consumer Price Index from the federal government showed that price inflation rose faster for food away from home as compared with food at home, a trend that could push more consumers away...

Potato recipe tips by chefs and foodservice heads

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:30:36 GMT

Where would we be without the humble potato? It has a place in starters, mains, sides and even desserts. Emma White spoke to chefs and food service heads for their recipe recommendations When it...

NRA 2009: Pavilions highlight organic, green product lines

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:40:12 GMT

Natural and eco-friendly offerings continue to draw operators' attention as demonstrated by the products showcased in the Organic & Natural and Green Restaurant Products pavilions at the 2009...

Economy leads discussions at NRA Show

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:22:07 GMT

This year's NRA show started with a bang and continued to roll through this weekend, as the foodservice industry gathered to see the latest products, hear from industry leaders and seek out best...

CSPI takes on salty restaurant meals: "Heart Attack Entrées with Side Orders of Stroke"

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:24 GMT

Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease according to the Center for Science...

Many QSR chains starting to show signs of weakness

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:15:40 GMT

As the unemployment rate in the United States continues to rise, hitting 8.9 percent in April, quick-service chains that have so far battled successfully against the recession may find their good...

KFC cancels free chicken deal after Oprah promo

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:36:24 GMT

The Oprah Winfrey-fueled free chicken give-away that caused pandemonium this week at Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants has been canceled due to what the fast-food chain called an "overwhelming...

Mexico City restaurants grapple with H1N1 restrictions

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:47:32 GMT

Amid the developing swine flu [now to be called H1N1 Influenza A] outbreak, U.S. restaurant companies with locations in Mexico City are making the best of a government-mandated shutdown of dine-in...

Burger king profit up in 3Q, outlook cut

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:30:28 GMT

Burger King Holdings Inc. lowered its full-year profit guidance, citing the weak economy and the possible affect of the swine flu outbreak that started in Mexico, despite a third-quarter profit...

McDonald's aumentó su beneficio neto un 4% en el primer trimestre, hasta 760 millones

Jorge Alonso — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:41:13 GMT

El grupo de restauración McDonald's cerró el primer trimestre del año con un beneficio neto de 979,5 millones de dólares (760 millones de euros al cambio actual), lo que representa un aumento del 4%...

Yum warns of challenges ahead as 1Q profit falls

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:57 GMT

Yum! Brands Inc. reported a 14-percent drop in first-quarter profit on negative effects of a stronger U.S. dollar and slowed domestic sales, especially at Pizza Hut and KFC. Yum, one of the world's...

McDonald's keeps gaining

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:08:11 GMT

It's not a big surprise that McDonald's first-quarter earnings beat Street estimates on Apr. 22. The fast-food chain is expected to thrive in a recessionary economy where diners are looking to cut...

McDonald's contratara 10.000 trabajadores en China

Jorge Alonso — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:54:51 GMT

La cadena estadounidenses McDonald's contratará a 10.000 personas para sus sucursales de comida rápida en China y prevé también subir los salarios.

KFC expands in Malaysia

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:59:51 GMT

KFC Holdings (M) Bhd aims to create 1,200 jobs in Malaysia this year as it continues to expand its network of 442 outlets in the country to 482 by year-end, said managing director Jamaludin Md...

Higher prices on the Menu at McDonald's?

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:57:52 GMT

A consulting firm that advises McDonald's franchisees is recommending steeper increases this year than it has in the past, according to documents from a presentation to restaurant owners in February....

Restaurants may see diners spending more

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:37:41 GMT

According to new data from Atlanta-based RBC Capital Markets, fewer consumers plan to cut back on restaurant spending in the next three months and a larger number of consumers than in previous months...

Fork the Recession, Feed the Recovery

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:46:35 GMT

The Colorado Restaurant Association has launched a statewide public awareness campaign to encourage dining in restaurants. A $170,000 promotion, with the slogan “Fork the Recession … Feed the...

Cooking up a new career in the food industry

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:30:50 GMT

It’s all about food lately. Culinary shows like “Top Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen” are all the rage. Tainted peanuts have us worried about what we eat and how to make it better. Books such as “The...

Equipment Change at Burger King creates New Opportunities

Paul van Eijck — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:38:27 GMT

For decades, Burger King has relied on the same conveyor oven technology to provide its signature flame-broiled flavor profile. But that technique, originally designed to cook the brand’s Whoppers,...

Texas Restaurant Association supports trans fat ban

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:56:51 GMT

Texas Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Rep. Carol Alvarado of Houston, both Democrats, are pressing for legislation that would phase in bans of trans fats in restaurant foods — a move they said...

Restaurants and catering companies bring in calories on menus

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:10:11 GMT

Eighteen major catering companies, including many high street brands, will introduce calorie information on their menus for the first time. The list of trailblazers, announced today by Public Health...

Want Salad With That? Make It Fries

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:38:52 GMT

Fast-food chains have recently deflected criticism of their menu offerings by adding healthy items like salads. But a paper soon to be released in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that the...

La crisis aumenta el consumo de comida rapida en chile... y asciende el sobrepeso

Jorge Alonso — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 08:25:21 GMT

as noticias de que la crisis golpeaba al mundo en el último trimestre de 2008 no disminuyeron los ingresos de las grandes cadenas de comida rápida ni el apetito de sus clientes. Por el contrario, la...

McDonald's empieza a reducir el uso de pesticidas

Jorge Alonso — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:49:11 GMT

McDonald's Corp, el mayor comprador de la papa en los Estados Unidos, ha acordado adoptar los primeros pasos para reducir el uso de plaguicidas en las explotaciones de sus proveedores nacionales,...

McDonald's to take steps to cut potato pesticides

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:52:53 GMT

McDonald's Corp, the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States, has agreed to take preliminary steps to reduce pesticide use in its domestic potato supply, shareholder groups said on...

Menu-labeling bill withdrawn in Maryland

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:36:18 GMT

Doyle Niemann, a delegate in the Maryland General Assembly, agreed Thursday to withdraw his menu-labeling bill after it failed to draw much support from lawmakers. The Restaurant Association of...

Pizza-making machine has chefs in a spin

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:43:36 GMT

A vending machine that bakes fresh pizza in minutes for a few euros has got Italian chefs in a whirl before it hits the streets in the coming weeks. The bright-red "Let's Pizza" machine...

Arcos Dorados vendio más de US$3500 millones, un nuevo record para McDonald's en Latinoamerica

Jorge Alonso — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:14:37 GMT

Arcos Dorados, la mayor operadora de restaurantes de servicio rápido de América Latina, que cuenta con la licencia de operación de los restaurantes McDonald's en la región, anunció hoy la mayor...

KFC Offers to Fill Up the Nation's ... Potholes

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:23:54 GMT

Kentucky Fried Chicken today announced its own urban renewal program. The chicken chain has offered to fill up the potholes in five major U.S. cities to promote its “fresh” brand positioning....

McDonald's Canada to turn off lights in support of Earth Hour

Paul van Eijck — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:43:23 GMT

As part of its ongoing efforts to implement energy-saving practices, McDonald's Canada will be actively supporting Earth Hour. By cutting lights for one hour on March 28 the chain could save more...

McDonald’s Latin America Sales Slow on Less Spending

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:49:06 GMT

McDonald’s sales growth in Latin America will slow this year as the recession curbs diners’ appetites for Big Macs and Happy Meals, the region’s largest franchise owner said. Woods Staton, chief...

Yum Brands buys stake in China restaurant chain Little Sheep

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:15:21 GMT

Yum Brands Inc. said late Tuesday it has agreed to buy a 20% interest in Little Sheep Group Ltd., a popular restaurant chain with locations mostly in China and Hong Kong, for $63 million. Yum...

Sweet Potato Fries boost sweet potatoes in Foodservice

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:14:02 GMT

Three words can sum up the increasing popularity of sweet potatoes in the foodservice industry: sweet potato fries. They’re stars on restaurant menus across the country, and some fine dining...