News on QSR, Restaurant and Food Service Trends

The Freedonia group has published a market research report "Foodservice Packaging to 2014: Bulk &Portion Control" here are some of the hifghlights of the report.  US demand to climb 2.5 annually through 2014 US demand for foodservice pack...

Several fast-food chains may have to wait until more young men find jobs before seeing same-store sales rise, according to a restaurant analyst.Jefferies &Co. restaurant securities analyst Jeff Farmer said in a note to investors this week that an a...

After four quarters of weakness, Canadian restaurant traffic grew modestly in the first quarter of 2010, up 2.3 per cent versus the same period one year ago, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. At the same time, consumer spen...

McDonald's Corporation today announced global comparable sales growth of 4.8% in May. Performance by segment was as follows: U.S. up 3.4% Europe up 5.7% Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa up 3.8% "May marks another month of sustained sales ...

McDonald's Corp sorprendió gratamente el martes al mercado con un aumento del 4,8 por ciento en las ventas mundiales de mayo, pero advirtió que el tipo de cambio golpeará sus ganancias de todo el año. En base al tipo de cambio actual, en particular el...

Three American chains—Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Ruby Tuesday—are targeting growth in Britain's dynamic but competitive restaurant business.They are huge in the US, but few British diners have heard of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) or Ruby Tuesday (RT). B...

Idaho ag groups hope to find new export opportunities in China during a trade mission led by Gov. C.L. "Butch"Otter, from June 4-12.Potato processors from Idaho and the Idaho Potato Commission will focus on promoting frozen and dehydrated pot...

Although restaurant traffic declined for the seventh consecutive quarter in the first quarter of 2010, the rate of visit losses began to ease compared to steeper declines in previous quarters, according to The NPD Group.

After successfully founding Cultures Fresh Food Restaurants and New York Fries, Toronto entrepreneur Jay Gould ventured into premium burgers in 2005 with the opening South Street Burger Co. in Toronto. He opened his 12th store this year -- all them in ...

Both attendee and exhibitor numbers showed positive growth at the 91st annual NRA Show. The increases highlight the NRA Show's position in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Hardee’s sales remained positive in late April and early May while those of sister brand Carl’s Jr. were still in negative territory as a result of the challenging economy in California, CKE Restaurants Inc. said Wednesday.   For the four weeks ended M...

Entire fast-food empires have been built around the french fry. But companies still continue to pursue perfection -- as in, a better-for-you fry. The immodestly named Perfect Fry company, out of Calgary, claims to have nailed it. At the National Res...

Citing better-than-expected performance in several foodservice segments, Technomic adjusted its 2010 U.S. foodservice industry nominal growth forecast upward from a decline of 1.6 percent to positive growth of 0.6 percent."The most significant cha...

Recent research from Mintel Menu Insights found that snacking is the new way to order at restaurants. Menu items that contain the descriptors “snack,” “snackable,” or “snacker” have increased by a staggering 170% since 2007 and growth is expected to c...

Fast-food outlets and casual dining chains routinely dream up flashy menu items to build buzz and lure ravenous Americans.   Called “stunt foods,” the edible inventions carry some marketing risk. This spring, KFC’s “Double Down” and IHOP’s “Cheesecake ...

Think of McDonald's and the first thing that pops to mind is a burger — and fries. Think again. The nation's largest fast-food chain is on a multibillion-dollar mission to become a serious beverage juggernaut, too. In the process, it's turning the f...

It was McDonald’s that put the “fast” in fast food, and its speed continues to be a major factor in the iconic restaurant chain’s profits.“One of the things we do very well is to make sure it’s [a new product is] not real until it’s real in the restaur...

On the heels of the buyout news from Rubio’s Restaurants Inc., Keybanc Capital Markets analyst Brad Ludington has offered up three possibly tantalizing meals for the next hungry private-equity firm. Ludington said in a report Wednesday that he is con...