Reporter's Notebook

A Newbie's Take on the NRA Show

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:48:00 +0000

The restaurant industry is fascinating and complex. Just walking through the NRA show floor proves it.

Reporter's Notebook

Blazing a trail with Breadcrumb?

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:02:00 +0000

Groupon pitches Breadcrumb POS app for tablets as ordering and payment solution of the future. Will chain restaurants go along?

Reporter's Notebook

Green Burrito introduces San Diego Burrito

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:25:00 +0000

San Diego trend of burritos stuffed with French fries hits Carl's Jr./Green Burrito co-branded locations

Reporter's Notebook

The strongest Yard

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:50:00 +0000

Speaking at the Robert W. Baird Growth Stock Conference, Darden chief Clarence Otis touts Yard House's long-term potential for driving Specialty Restaurant Group

Reporter's Notebook

Finding answers for mobile search

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:10:00 +0000

New studies from SinglePlatform and Google show restaurants are some of the most-searched businesses on smart-phone browsers and apps, clarifying opportunities and table stakes for mobile marketing

Reporter's Notebook

Pizza Hut, Xbox partner for game-based order app

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:04:00 +0000

Couch potatoes could rejoice this week when Pizza Hut announced a new partnership with Microsoft for an ordering app that lets game players order any menu item directly from the Xbox 360.

Reporter's Notebook

Targeting Consumers With Mobile Apps

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:56:00 +0000

Smart restaurants are using mobile apps to target their consumers on the go.

Reporter's Notebook

Tough-luck clucks in China

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:06:00 +0000

Like market leader KFC, McDonald's first-quarter same-store sales slipped in China, but its non-chicken offerings could spell relief faster for the Golden Arches

Reporter's Notebook

Ex-CEO of Applebee's signs on to fast-casual Pie Five

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:16:00 +0000

Dave Goebel, former CEO and president of Applebee's, signs on to develop fast-casual Pie Fine in Kansas City area

Reporter's Notebook

Oh no-no they didn't!

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:55:00 +0000

Domino's Pizza may be the first restaurant to take a swing at real-time social-media marketing with the DomiNoNo pan pizza giveaway

Reporter's Notebook

Domino's dishes out a spoiler

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:51:00 +0000

Little Caesars introduced Deep! Deep! Dish Pizza with signature convenience and value, but Domino's might have already won the quality message with its "We're taking it slow" commercial

Reporter's Notebook

Darden Emphasizes Specialty Restaurant Group in 3Q Earnings

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:38:00 +0000

In a smart move, Darden is shifting more focus to its successful Specialty Restaurant Group, hoping to inform marketing decisions at its three largest brands: Olive Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Steakhouse.

Reporter's Notebook

LYFE Kitchen ready to grow

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:57:00 +0000

Healthful fast-casual concept LYFE Kitchen opens second unit in Los Angeles and plans to ramp up growth with first franchise deal in Chicago.

Reporter's Notebook

Landry's CEO Fertitta sees 2013 start with dining divide

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:05:00 +0000

Landry's CEO Tilman Fertitta says early 2013 economic slump not hitting restaurants with $80-$90 check average as hard as those in the $20-$30 range.

Reporter's Notebook

"Idol" hands Rita's an opportunity

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:48:00 +0000

Rita's Italian Ice turns exposure from Lazaro Arbos' run on "American Idol" into opportunity for cause marketing

Reporter's Notebook