- Beyond a regional doubt
Hold the spaghetti and meatballs. When it comes to Italian food, restaurants at all levels—from fast casual to white tablecloth—are focusing on regional dishes with authentic flavors. Some strive to duplicate traditional recipes; others add their own spin while keeping intact the spirit of the original. Either way, the goal ......
- Top 400 Segment Rankings
Chain restaurants' rebound continues. The concepts that comprise this year's Top 400 rankings posted aggregate systemwide sales of $237.4 billion, an 8.8% increase over last year's total. That gain trumps the 7.8% increase posted this year by R&I's Top 100 Independent Restaurants (see the April 1, 2005, issue), indicating that ......
- Small Chains, Big Ideas
We support health from the inside out!" boasts a promotion for Morgan Hill, Calif.-based Fresh Choice restaurants. When health clubs sign up for its Fresh & Fit discount program, members save 15% on meals at its buffet restaurants. Like Fresh Choice's Business Partner Saver Card for office workers and student ......
- A Step Ahead
Customers want to see a brand continue to evolve to meet their needs, says Aaron Kennedy, founder and CEO of Boulder, Colo.-based Noodles & Company. "If you stand still, you're going to be left behind." Like other Top 400 sales-growth leaders, Kennedy works hard to make sure his brand stays ......
- Wine list winners
We're delighted to announce the winners Of RESTAURANT HOSPITALITY'S 12th Annual Best Wine List Awards Competition. Full details will appear in July. Grand Prize Winner, U.S. Wine List Category: The Olde Loyal Oak Tavern Restaurant, Norton, Ohio. Silver Award Winners: Albion River Inn, Albion, Cal.; Rancho Bernardo Inn, Rancho Bernardo, ......
- The Italian Job
The Italian-menu segment has been a steady and reliable producer and a key driver of the restaurant industry's sales growth. The 18.5% compound annual growth rate the largest Italian casual-dining chains posted between 1981 and 2001, according to Chicago-based researcher Technomic Inc., is unrivaled. The category gave no indications it ......
- Build an Appetite!
When you head from the Convention Center for ambience and food other than hot dogs and pizza, take these pages with you. Some of the many hot spots for delicious eats are a short cab ride from the Builders' Show. Whether you're in the mood for pasta, seafood, steak or ......