Chick-fil-A is testing a cauliflower sandwich inspired by its famous chicken sandwich. / Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A’s newest chicken sandwich doesn’t feature chicken. The Atlanta-based fast-food chain on Thursday said it is testing a cauliflower sandwich in three markets: Charleston, S.C., the Greensboro-Triad region of North Carolina and Denver. The sandwich is made with...Read More

There have been a lot of discussions and opinions swirling around after Rene Redzepi announced the closure of Noma, arguably one of the top restaurants in the world. While Noma’s run as a Michelin restaurant is now at an end, there are many reasons why it doesn’t spell the end of fine dining cuisine as...Read More

Zunzi’s best-selling Conquistador Sandwich. | Photograph courtesy of Zunzi During the pandemic, Chris Smith blew up his business model, let it shatter and picked up the pieces. The result: He reconfigured Zunzi’s, a South African-inspired fast-casual sandwich shop that he co-founded, into two separate concepts. With catering and foot traffic both taking a nosedive during...Read More

The “Ding!” noises chirping from veritable command centers of tablets in restaurants throughout the country have become a ubiquitous symphony thanks to the staying power of third-party delivery apps offering unparalleled convenience and accessibility to consumers.  Offering increased visibility for brands and expanding the pool of customers restaurants are able to reach, the dynamic services...Read More

Wing It On! was acquired in January and serves as one of the four Craveworthy brands./Photo courtesy of Craveworthy. Jimmy John’s veteran and CEO of Mongolian Concepts Gregg Majewski has launched a new platform to grow—and possibly acquire—fast-casual restaurant brands. In partnership with FG Financial Group Inc., Majewski on Thursday debuted the newly created Craveworthy...Read More

Businesses are facing a whirlwind of turning points resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent “Great Resignation” period. It’s getting harder and harder to adapt and survive, especially in the ever-changing hospitality industry, but the best companies forge ahead. Life in the trenches of a restaurant is stressful, perhaps a bit unnecessarily at times. As...Read More

Fridays’ new promotion offers an appetizer, two entrees and dessert starting at $28. / Photo courtesy of TGI Fridays TGI Fridays is courting couples looking for an affordable night out. The casual-dining chain on Wednesday unveiled a new three-course meal deal for two that promises lots of food at a bargain price. The Fridays Feasts...Read More

Independent restaurants with fewer than three locations make up more than half of the restaurants in the U.S. Many restaurateurs dream of growing into multiple locations, but it takes a lot of capital investment to get there. At my restaurant development and investment firm Full Course, we work with emerging brands to develop leadership, optimize business practices...Read More

A single Peet’s store has been unionized. / Photo: Shutterstock The staff of a Peet’s Coffee unit in Davis, Calif., has voted 14-1 to form a union, giving the group behind the organization of about 270 Starbucks stores a toehold in another major coffee chain. The cafe is the first Peet’s store to opt for...Read More

In the digital age, online reputation management is critical for business success. Many depend on social media reviews and posts about a particular restaurant before deciding whether they will dine there or not.  Nearly half of your market depends on social media comments for their restaurant reviews. A survey conducted by MGH Advertising found that 45 percent of American diners said they...Read More