T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants are adding more choice, recognition, and surprises to the chain’s Give Me More Stripes loyalty program. Based on recent research and guest feedback on more than 300 potential features and benefits, Friday’s is refreshing the loyalty program for its millions of Stripes members, offering more rewards, faster, while retaining several of the […]

Food safety is always a prime consideration when it comes to protecting foodservice patrons and staff. However, putting an effective sanitation program in place requires more than simply washing the dishes and mopping the floor. Implementing a thorough food safety program must start with a clear understanding of the risk factors and the level of […]

A recent Cintas Corporation survey conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive among more than 1,000 U.S.adults ages 18 and older revealed that dirty dishes, unpleasant odor, and dirty restrooms are the top reasons consumers would never return to a restaurant. In fact, all three perceptions of cleanliness rated higher than poor service when choosing whether […]

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) applauded Congress for final passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. Because of the bill, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have the authority it needs to help prevent foodborne illnesses for the first time ever. The bill focuses on preventing illnesses by ensuring safety […]

When Matt Mitchell was four years old, his parents took him out one night to McDonald’s for a hamburger. But when he bit into it, he tasted cheese. For most people, getting the wrong order is, at worst, a nuisance. But as far as restaurant patrons go, Mitchell isn’t most people. Not long after taking […]

Seventy-six million. That’s how many Americans each year get sick from something they eat. Of the 76 million, 350,000 end up in the hospital and 5,000 end up dead. Seventy-six million people. Roughly one fourth of the total U.S. population, it seems a rather high figure, particularly when we’ve figured out how to swap, replace, […]

National Restaurant Association president and CEO Dawn Sweeney issued the following statement about the White House’s Childhood Obesity Task Force action plan: “We support the First Lady’s efforts to reduce childhood obesity over the next generation. We are pleased to have worked with the Task Force on ways our industry and its leaders can help […]

With Congress set to tackle financial reform, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, an attempt to overhaul the nation’s food-safety system after recent outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens, has once again been pushed down the legislative agenda. In amending the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the Modernization Act […]

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael Taylor will speak in Las Vegas, before the General Session of United Fresh 2010, the annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association. Taylor also addressed restaurant executives at the National Restaurant Association's Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., today, stressing the importance of food safety and […]

The new health care reform passed into law by Congress last Sunday sets a national standard for nutrition labeling on restaurant menus. The reform will affect all quick-service restaurants with 20 or more locations, regardless of ownership. Franchisees who own only a few locations will still be affected if the total number of brand stores […]

The Food and Drug Administration announced the publication of the new FDA Food Code, a model code and reference document that provides a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and foodservice segment of the food industry. The 2009 FDA Food Code is a key component of President Obama’s overall public health–focused […]

The U.S. Senate is focused on healthcare reform, but if legislators want to save 5,000 lives and prevent 325,000 unnecessary and expensive hospitalizations each year, they should fix food safety too, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. Chances that the Senate will act this year on legislation that would reform […]

In the wake of President Obama’s $250 million budget increase for the FDA, Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has big plans for the administration’s role in maintaining the safety of the nation’s food. Hamburg, addressing a group of food industry leaders today at the United Fresh Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., said the FDA would look […]

National Restaurant Association president and CEO Dawn Sweeney made the following statement regarding the vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009: "The National Restaurant Association applauds Chairman Emeritus John Dingell (D-Mich.), Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and Ranking Members Joe Barton (R-Texas) for their leadership […]

The National Restaurant Association issued a statement from executive vice president of public affairs Beth Johnson following the Obama Administration’s recommendations to strengthen the nation’s food safety programs. “The safety of the food supply continues to be the restaurant industry’s number one priority, and we applaud the Obama Administration’s leadership in this area,” Johnson said […]

The Obama Administration’s food safety recommendations included several produce industry objectives that were pushed by the United Fresh Produce Association. The White House action was based on recommendations from the Food Safety Working Group and comes after several months of input from United Fresh and other organizations to improve the nation’s food safety practices. “Today’s […]

A group of public health advocates issued the following letter to congressional leaders, advocating a stronger, more proactive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This letter to the leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce requests that members reinforce […]

Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association, will testify today before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health as part of a hearing to address reforms in our nation’s food safety laws. The hearing, entitled “How Do We Fix Our Ailing Food Safety System?” is also slated to […]

A bipartisan group of four senators announced yesterday they’re taking on one of today’s most pressing issues. No, not that pesky bank bailout—the efficiency of the FDA. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), and Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) want to dramatically improve the way the FDA protects the safety […]

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 […]

The International Franchise Association has appointed Victoria J. Adams as director of political affairs. Adams will be responsible for developing and implementing overall strategy for the association's political action committee, FranPAC, as well as fund raising and coordinating IFA's activities to provide maximum effectiveness in achieving the organization's legislative agenda. IFA, the "voice of franchising," […]