Each week, NRN editor-in-chief Sarah Lockyer gives you her take on the top restaurant industry news.
The finest executives in the restaurant industry often speak about the importance of people, building a smart team and praising those around them. But when it comes to the NRN Operator of the Year, the belief in people first isn’t just a statement, but demonstrated in practice.
Our most popular story this week is the announcement that Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse, was voted Operator of the Year by his peers, and celebrated at the 2014 MUFSO conference. Upon his acceptance, he gave a humble thank you and then turned the spotlight to his chief operations officer Steve Ortiz, who Taylor called to the stage to speak instead. It was a special moment, and one I know made the Texas Roadhouse team very proud.
Also this week at MUFSO, the Hot Concepts award winners were celebrated, and you can see a slide show of the party in our list of top 10 most popular stories.
MUFSO is the industry’s best gathering place of restaurant leaders and our coverage showcases just the tip of the iceberg. But you don’t have to take my admittedly biased word for it. Corner Bakery president Gary Price says it best:
“Each year we evaluate which conferences would be beneficial in taking our brand to the next level,” he said. “MUFSO is always on the top of our list to attend because at no other event in the industry are you surrounded by so many multi-unit influencers and decision makers. Attending, exhibiting and presenting gives us the opportunity to have face-to-face interaction, which can be critical to the success of our brand.”
Take a look at the top 10 trending stories:
1. Kent Taylor named 2014 Operator of the Year by peers
2. Denny's targets Millennials with new animated web series
3. Reaching Millennials at your restaurant
4. MUFSO 2014 kicks off in Dallas
5. Qdoba reworks menu pricing in brand revitalization effort
6. Breaking down 30 years of restaurant traffic trends
7. NRN honors 2014 Hot Concepts winners
8. Dunkin’ to test mobile ordering, payment system
9. Restaurant Menu Watch: McDonald's tries Chorizo Burrito
