More Articles By Mary Boltz Chapman, Editor-in-Chief
- Video Contest Taps Chick-fil-A's Biggest Fans
Chick-fil-A is well-known for its billboards featuring cows asking customers to eat chicken. Long a buyer of traditional advertising, the Atlanta-based, 1,400-unit quick-service restaurant chain took a step into the World Wide Web with its Biggest Fan video contest. More - Research Report: Keep Customers Coming
This year the question is more relevant than ever: How do you get more customers coming through the doors? Operators use many methods, from sending an e-mail newsletter to a small group of loyal guests to airing a national television campaign. But which methods are the best investments? More - For the Defense
If I had a nickel for every time I heard or read someone say, “I don’t eat in chains,” I could take you out to a nice dinner at Morton’s. First of all, they are obviously lying or incredibly ignorant. Come on—no Starbucks, no McDonald’s, no Olive Garden, ever? Impossible. More - Over the Counter: Takeout Trends
Dinner comprises 54.8 percent of fast-food users' carryout occasions, according to a 21-quarter average from Quick-Track, a quarterly survey by San Clemente, Calif.-based Sandelman & Associates. The evening meal makes up 48.4 percent of all QSR users' most recent purchase occasions. More - Driving Traffic: Mix and Match
From sending an e-mail newsletter to a small group of loyal customers to running new menu specials, restaurant chains are combining different tactics to increase customer counts. Chain Leader’s exclusive Driving Traffic research. More - Listen In: Wingstop Gives Flying Lessons
In July Wingstop celebrated its 20th consecutive quarter of comparable-store-sales increases—not a common feat in ordinary times. Listen in as James Flynn, president and CEO of the 400-unit, Dallas-based chicken-wing concept, shares what keeps Wingstop growing. More - Executive Shuffle
Some leaders would likely thrive in a different seat or on a different bus, and could use a shakeup to get there. More - Portfolio Manager Askar Brands
Askar Brands, parent of quick-service restaurant chains Papa Romano’s, Mr. Pita and Stucchi’s, is preparing to compete on a global level in the next five years. The company has brought in big-gun executives, refined the concepts, offered co-branding options and recruited area developers. More - Consumer Trends: Bar Business
The Nielsen Company reported that nearly half of consumers surveyed said the economy has had no impact on the amount they spend on beer, wine or spirits; less than 20 percent say there has been a significant impact. A look at alcoholic-beverage consumption trends. More - Quick-Service Customers: Out to Lunch
You'll find more quick-service customers eating in the restaurant at lunch than at other meals. According to Quick-Track, a quarterly survey by San Clemente, Calif.-based research firm Sandelman & Associates, 36.8 percent of all fast-food users having lunch on their last QSR occasion ate inside the restaurant. More - What Do You Think?
I'm sure you've seen the changes in the magazine since the beginning of the year. After comprehensive reader research, we changed the editorial position and redesigned the pages to better respond to reader needs. Now we'd like to hear from our readers about how we're doing. More - Ready or Not: Crisis Management
A crisis can hit even the best food-safety system. Chains can minimize the damage with a good crisis-management plan that includes putting together a cross-functional team and a communications protocol. More - Voice of Experience: Crisis-Management Lessons from Wendy's
Denny Lynch has learned a lot about crisis management in his 28 years at Wendy’s, some of it the hard way. The senior vice president of communications and frequent company spokesman tells Chain Leader in his own words about lessons learned from recent experiences. More - What's it Worth to You?
Whether it be a vacation, a restaurant meal or a garage-sale find, the question consumers are asking first these days is, “Is it worth it?” More - Flight Delays Keep Vacationers at Home
Will 2008 be the year of the “staycation,” where Americans spend their days off in their own backyard? The Travel Industry Association released a survey in May that said people are so frustrated with air travel that they avoided 41 million trips over the prior 12 months. More - Franchisor-Franchisee Relationship Counseling
Since Clarice Turner joined Vancouver, Wash.-based Papa Murphy's as president and chief operating officer in spring 2007, she's been putting her operations background to work targeting consistency and efficiency. Chain Leader spoke with Turner about how Papa Murphy's works with franchisees on cost pressures and more. More - First Watch Takes On Franchising
At a time when many restaurant companies are halting expansion and looking inward, First Watch announced in May that it would begin franchising. Chain Leader caught up with Chief Marketing Officer Chris Tomasso to talk about timing. More - Support System
When times are tough, you really learn who you can rely on. Successful companies are those that continue to be reliable, even during hard times. More - Powering Down Energy Use
To lower energy costs, Boston-based restaurant chain Au Bon Pain worked with an energy-procurement consultant to get the best prices on electricity and gas, audit past utility bills and find ways to reduce consumption. More - Deals on Wheels: Delivered Meals
Delivered meals very likely include pizza, according to Quick-Track, a quarterly survey by San Clemente, Calif.-based Sandelman & Associates. A 21-quarter average shows pizza chains garnering 81.4 percent of past-month delivery occasions, while they get 17.4 percent of all past-month occasions. More
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