Content about Darren Tristano

February 6, 2012
Brands look to offer home meal replacement
Chains aim to take advantage of supermarket inflation with value messaging.
September 23, 2011
2011 Pioneer Award: Ron Shaich
Panera’s executive chairman is deeply involved in the bakery-cafe chain’s charitable efforts
August 30, 2011
Krispy Kreme looks for sales in competitive coffee market
Krispy Kreme has three new signature coffees debuting this week
August 29, 2011
'Better-burger' brands top burger segment growth
Technomic: Strong performance from fast-casual operators in sales, unit growth
August 22, 2011
Ad Spot: Burger King without The King
New California Whopper commercial debuts, industry experts weigh in
June 22, 2011
Technomic: Don’t call it a recovery, yet
Outlook not as bright as expected, but opportunities for growth, differentiation exist
May 24, 2011
Consumers hungry for turkey, chicken in the morning
Demand growing for poultry on breakfast menus
May 20, 2011
What’s driving the nation’s fastest-growing chains
Technomic: Menu innovation a key ingredient to building market share
May 16, 2011
MenuMasters 2011: Scott Davis
Panera's head of culinary is the top innovator for this year.
April 15, 2011
Industry experts pick winners for ‘America’s Next Great Restaurant’
Industry watchers on which contestants are most likely to succeed
April 4, 2011
East meets fast
Restaurant industry has long road to recovery
April 4, 2011
Observers fear rising gas prices will boost commodity costs, menu prices
When gasoline prices began a nearly month-long rally in February, rising for 20 straight trading days and surpassing $4 per gallon in many markets, a sense of “here we go again” settled over consumers and operators who recalled 2008, a year dominated by a deep recession and sky-high fuel prices that took their toll on restaurant traffic and spending.
 But that was then and this is now, and experts say that both consumer attitudes and the environment are likely to make this time around slightly different — although no less painful.

February 7, 2011
Seafood brands migrate toward a more affordable niche, despite challenges

Somewhere between the price point of quick-service players like Captain D’s and upscale McCormick & Schmick’s, restaurant operators see an ocean of opportunity to sell affordable seafood.

January 21, 2011
NRN 50: Home advantage
Local sourcing helps operators score points with green-focused customers
January 21, 2011
NRN 50: Less is more
Small plates, prices satisfy consumers’ economic appetites
January 20, 2011
Analysts: Arby's could fetch $300M-plus
Chain’s possible value could reach between 5x and 8x EBITDA
January 10, 2011
A taste of what's to come in consumer trends


This story is part of NRN's "2011 Forecast & Trends" special report.


The start of 2011 will bring with it thousands of New Year’s resolutions from restaurant customers to eat better, eat less or save more money. But luckily for operators, such promises to cut back don’t necessarily mean fewer visits to restaurants. Rather, they mean the continuation of behavior that’s played out through the Great Recession and the long, slow recovery since.


January 10, 2011
A taste of what’s to come in finance

This story is part of NRN's "2011 Forecast & Trends" special report.

After years of chilly sales and icy credit conditions, analysts and industry watchers are expecting a thawing of sorts in 2011, with private-equity players continuing to inject much-needed heat into the restaurant sector.


Several firms went shopping in 2010, including 3G Capital with its $4 billion purchase of Burger King and, more recently, the Catterton Partners-led acquisition of Noodles & Company. Industry observers expect the spree to gather momentum in 2011.


January 10, 2011
A taste of what’s to come in policy

This story is part of NRN's "2011 Forecast & Trends" special report.

While many in the foodservice industry applauded the changing of the guard in Congress and state houses across the nation in the midterm elections, Washington insiders are cautioning restaurateurs not to assume that 2011 will necessarily shape up to be a much more business-friendly year.


December 14, 2010
Canada presents opportunities for U.S. chains
Technomic also names food trends to emerge in Canada for 2011
November 7, 2010
Menu conference highlights future food trends
Local sourcing, new menu-labeling laws and the need to develop limited-time offers at lightning speed were top of mind for attendees at the annual Menu Trends & Directions conference held in Orlando, Fla., last month.
October 14, 2010
Study: Despite downturn, patrons still love dessert
For operators, desserts provide flexible growth opportunities
September 6, 2010
Chains improve service, license products to fend off retailers’ sales gains


In America, restaurant meal choices are so boundless that the citizenry need never cook for itself again. But grocery store owners are well aware of this fact, and their increasingly bold moves to give consumers the options they crave are yielding them a growing cut of the action.


August 31, 2010
Restaurant operators find franchising the route to growth
Restaurant companies seeking sustained growth continue to turn to franchising as one of the most important ways to expand, according to a new report from Chicago-based foodservice consulting firm Technomic.
August 11, 2010
Servers a powerful tool in selling beverages
Study finds many diners influenced by server drink suggestions
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