The bill, “The Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards and Targeting Act of 2008,” was introduced by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Adam Putnam (R-Fla.). The National Restaurant Association today welcomed the introduction of bipartisan food safety legislation in the Congress by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Adam Putnam (R-Fla.). The bill, “The Safe […]

New Edge Networks, the business communications unit of EarthLink Inc., (NASDAQ: ELNK), today became the first telecommunications company to offer a new network service that allows businesses to tag and prioritize data traffic over DSL access using up to five MPLS classes of service. New Edge previously announced plans in January to offer up to […]

Radiant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RADS), a provider of innovative technology to the hospitality and retail industries, announces today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hospitality EPoS Systems, a leading technology supplier to the U.K. hospitality market for more than 16 years. “The acquisition of Hospitality EPoS Systems provides Radiant a substantial […]

The Small Business Research Board (SBRB) Food & Beverage Industry Small Business Confidence Index (F-SBCI) dropped to 30.67 during the fourth quarter of 2007, a decline of more than 17 points from the prior quarter. A decline in two of the three major indicators contributed to the F-SBCI of 48.5 registered during the third quarter […]

Henny Penny Corporation Awarded Prestigious Kitchen Innovations™ 2008 Award Presented by the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show On January 15, 2008, Henny Penny Corporation was honored with a Kitchen Innovations™ (KI) 2008 Award for the Henny Penny SmartCombi™ with WaveClean™ technology. Each year, the NRA Kitchen Innovations™ Awards recognize the most inventive and cutting-edge […]

McDonald's announced last week it has awarded the inaugural U.S. Technology Supplier of the Year Award to ParTech Incorporated, an international provider of Point-of-Sale technology and related products and services. ParTech is a wholly owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE: PTC – News). McDonald's unveiled the award at its recent U.S Technology Supplier Summit, […]

Despite the slowing global economy, Wincor Nixdorf is bursting at the seams in Europe and has set its sights on the U.S. quick-service market for 2008. The company's Vice President of U.S. Retail, Tad Shepperd, sat down with QSR at Wincor's annual tradeshow, Wincor World, in Paderborn, Germany, to explain just how the company plans […]

The National Restaurant Association today announced 25 recipients of the prestigious 2008 Kitchen Innovations* (KI) Award. This year's KI Awards address the growing needs of foodservice operators, including energy/water conservation, improving productivity and food safety. Each of the cutting-edge products will be showcased in the interactive KI demonstration area at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, […]

A BCC Research study reports that the U.S. market for food safety testing will have a compound average annual growth rate of 5.8 percent over the next five years. According to a new technical market research report, Food Safety Testing: The U.S. Market (FOD011E) from BCC Research, the U.S. market for food safety testing will […]

A recurring theme among suppliers at this year's National Assocation of Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers is that operator needs are driving innovation in the equipment and technology segments. Commercial refrigeration supplier Traulsen, for example, rolled out a new line of custom equipment stands. The line features small tweaks–movable top and bottom casters, handle guards, and an […]

Applebee’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended August 26, 2007. System-wide domestic comparable sales decreased 0.9 percent for the August period, while comparable sales for domestic franchise restaurants decreased 0.7 percent. Comparable sales for company restaurants decreased 1.6 percent, reflecting a decrease in guest traffic of between 6.0 and […]

Denny’s Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN) today announced the launch of its Franchise Growth Initiative, a development program designed to accelerate franchise growth in key markets across the country that have untapped consumer demand. The first successful multi-unit transactions have included the sale of 34 company restaurants to both new and existing Denny’s franchisees and commitments by […]

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB), aannounced that it has closed on the acquisition of 15 of the 17 existing franchised Red Robin® restaurants in the state of California from Top Robin Ventures and Morite of California effective June 18, 2007. In addition, the franchise territory included in this acquisition encompasses the area of […]

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent company of T.G.I. Friday's(R) and Pick Up Stix(R) restaurants, today announced plans to accelerate its development growth through the addition of new T.G.I. Friday's franchisees within Louisiana. "Friday's is excited about broadening its market presence in Louisiana through the strategic recruitment of a broad base of candidates including minority owner/operators, […]

Away-from-home breakfast sales are growing, but remain a major underdeveloped opportunity for restaurant operators according to new research by Technomic. Even though the vast majority of consumers still prepare breakfast at home, sometimes eating it in the car or at school or work, consumers’ demand for time-saving convenience continues to grow, signaling breakfast growth opportunities […]

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) announced a new franchise and development agreement with franchisee ERJ Dining of Louisville, Ky. Under terms of the agreement, ERJ Dining will acquire 76 existing Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants and develop 49 new locations in the Midwest U.S. Including the ERJ Dining agreement, during the current fiscal year, Brinker domestic […]

Delaware North Companies announced today they have named Roland G. Henin, certified master chef, corporate executive chef and chief culinary ambassador for their global hospitality operations. Delaware North Companies is a global company in hospitality and food service with locations ranging from global sports stadia and airports to national parks, destination resorts and entertainment venues. […]

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) will open its Cookbook Expo as part of its Annual International Conference to the public for the first time in the meeting's 29-year history. Held in Chicago this year from April 11 through the 14, the Conference will be at the Hilton at 720 South Michigan Avenue. The […]

INNOVA's new proprietary salt reduction technology has been created to stimulate taste receptors on the tongue to create the perception of salt without the need for high sodium addition. The new product, SaltSavor is effective in a variety of applications that require 25-50% salt reduction. The company claims the product can be used in gravies, […]

Andy Roddick has signed a long-term endorsement deal with AriZona Beverage Company for a new beverage that will launch later this year. Roddick is a US Open Champion, a Wimbledon Finalist, and an Australian Open Semifinalist. He has won 21 career singles titles and is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and is competing […]

Reuters reported today that the famous Hooters hot wings will soon be available in Israel, at the Hooters restaurant that is planned to open in Tel Aviv. Ofer Ahiraz has bought the Hooters franchise for Israel and told the news service that he predicts the quick serve will be successful in the Middle Eastern city. […]

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. announced today that all Red Robin(R) restaurants will feature new items that emphasize great flavor combinations and demonstrate the casual-dining restaurant chain's commitment to providing variety and originality to its guests. Red Robin is focused on serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers, appetizers, entrees, salads, and beverages in […]

NSF International today announced the first call for nominations for its 2007 Food Safety Leadership Awards (FSLA) Program. Foodservice operators, manufacturers, researchers and members of academia may be nominated. NSF staff will review nominations for each award category, and forward this information to each selection committee member. An independent expert selection will then evaluate all […]

It's no surprise that dining out is as common as dining at home these days and that Americans are expecting more from their restaurant experiences than ever before. The nation's 935,000 restaurants are ready to deliver by monitoring the latest consumer and food trends to satisfy increasingly adventurous diners who also place a high premium […]

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers announced that it has closed on the acquisition of 11 of the 13 franchised Red Robin restaurants in Washington state. The franchised restaurants were owned by various partnerships affiliated with Great Western Dining, the former manager of the restaurants. The net proceeds paid at the initial closing were approximately $33.5 million, […]

At its booth in McCormick this afternoon, NSF International announced the six winners of the third annual Food Safety Leadership Awards. At its booth in McCormick this afternoon, NSF International announced the six winners of the third annual Food Safety Leadership Awards. The awards program honors individuals and organizations for demonstrating excellence in food safety, […]

The International Franchise Association announced plans for a new initiative to help IFA member companies recruit more minority franchisees into their systems. Called "MinorityFran" the initiative is designed to provide one, convenient point where minority prospects can explore franchise offerings of companies actively looking to recruit minority franchisees. The initiative will build on relationships forged […]