Categories featured in this issue of Foodsight News Scan:

Market Research

Recent findings and analysis of industry performance, customer behavior, food trends, and restaurant strategies from leading foodservice industry researchers

Best Practices

Ideas to improve operations and grasp opportunities in staff training and retention, customer care, marketing, social media, sustainability, and more

Menu Trends

Information you need to develop the perfect menu for your business—including the trends shaping what Americans want to eat and how restaurants are responding

Restaurant Industry Resources

Our favorite go-to sites for business intelligence, advice, ideas, tools, and other useful information for restaurant operators

Market Research

Food Trend Research…

'Ethnic' Barbecue Among Top Pork and Poultry Trends
Culturally diverse barbecue is a top trend U.S. Foodservice has spotted.
Nation's Restaurant News

Supplier Chefs on the Next Big Food Trends
Sandwich chain Which Wich asked its suppliers to share their thoughts on food trends for the year ahead.
Nation’s Restaurant News

U.S. Is a Spicier Nation (Literally) Since 1970s
Consumption of spices has grown almost three times as fast as the population in recent decades.
National Public Radio

Upper Crusts
The average American eats pizza three times per month, often obeying a craving.
Food Management

Industry Performance Research…

High-End Chains Say Business, Travel Spending Up
Fine-dining establishments are finally seeing sales turn up.
Nation’s Restaurant News

Restaurant Operators' Optimism Wanes
National Restaurant Association’s index of operator sentiment slipped again in June.
Nation’s Restaurant News

U.S. Restaurant Count Continues To Fall
Independents closed the most locations, NPD finds.
Nation's Restaurant News

Foodservice Executives Reveal Surprising Recovery Drivers
C-level foodservice execs see recovery driven by innovation and mobile Internet use. 
Fast Casual,

NRA: Industry Performance Index Dips
This industry performance barometer took a dive in June.
Nation's Restaurant News

Economic Recovery? Not So Fast
The worst of the economic downturn may be over, but don’t expect robust recovery.
Nation's Restaurant News

Consumer Research…

Restaurant Chains With The Best Customer Satisfaction
Even in uncertain times, price isn't everything, this JD Power study shows.
Nation's Restaurant News, 8/10/10

Why Consumers Go To Restaurants Instead Of Supermarkets
Convenience, cravings, atmosphere are reasons people choose fast food over supermarkets.
Restaurant News

Study: Customers Will Pay More For Better Service
Most Americans (61%) say quality service has risen in importance to them.
QSR Web

Study: Consumers Hungry For Restaurants
Consumers’ appetite for eating out has grown over the past six months.
Nation's Restaurant News

What Moms Want When Dining Out
Moms plan to cut down on dining out this year, according to NPD.
Nation's Restaurant News

Technomic: Family Dining Should Focus On Value
Price points, menu, and atmosphere position the family dining segment well for recovery.
Nation's Restaurant News

Luring Back Wary Diners
Consumers “redefining snacking” are boosting late-afternoon traffic.
AdWeek

Consumers Don't Know Sustainable Restaurants
Hartman Group study finds consumers driven by quality, necessity, waste, experience, and quantity.
Fast Casual

Survey Highlights Complex Public Perceptions About Food Quality
Two important drivers of restaurant traffic: emotional ties and perceived food quality.
QSR Web

Strategic and Operational Research…

Customer Loyalty Programs Gave Restaurants Competitive Edge
NRA survey finds 90% of operators believe loyalty programs give them an edge.
Fast Casual

Restaurant Employment Picture Shapes Up
Some 42% of operators expect to add workers soon.
Nation's Restaurant News

NPD: Breakfast Perks Up Restaurant Traffic
Breakfast is becoming an even more important meal of the day.
Nation's Restaurant News

Best Practices

Business Building...

Five Trends You Can't Ignore
Restaurant industry trends with staying power.
Restaurant Hospitality

How To Sidestep The Five Pitfalls Of Recession Recovery
Successful managers often do five things that others do not.
QSR Web

Food Cost
This site’s readers trade cost-containing tips and strategies.
RestaurantNews.com Website

Wi-Fi, Coupons Draw Fast-Food Breakfast Customers
How to win the breakfast derby: coupons and Wi-Fi. 
Nation's Restaurant News

Making Restaurant Week Last All Summer: Bad Idea
Reduce prices longer than two weeks, and it’s not a deal to customers but an entitlement.
BNET

Customer Care...

Consumers Rank Favorite Restaurant Chains
Does this list hold any insights for your restaurant?
Nation’s Restaurant News

Food On The Brain: Servers Must Learn A Menu's Tiniest Details
When customers can quote food writers, knowing the nightly specials isn’t enough.
Louisville Courier-Journal

Ahead Of The Game
Consumers want menu innovation; giving them options keeps operators ahead. 
QSR Magazine

Rituals That Target Customers Not Always Good For Business
Is it time to rethink the whole servers-singing-“Happy Birthday” thing?
Innovations Report

Operations…

Food Safety Checklist on Restaurants
You can’t make food safe once it's been contaminated; the time to act is beforehand.
SmartBlog on Restaurants

10 Tips For Saving Money, Energy & The Earth
Ideas for maintaining an energy-efficient operation.
Restaurant Hospitality

Staffing...

On Tip-Pooling, IRS Reporting And A Few Gratuitous Facts On Gratuities
The IRS is cracking down on tip under-reporting.
SmartBlog on Restaurants

Your Top 40 Hiring Questions And Answers
Avoid that one wrong hire who has devastating consequences.
QSR Magazine

Engage Employees Or Lose Them
Harris Interactive says 1 in 5 employees will look for a new job once the economy improves.
QSR Web

Technology/Social Networking...

Fast Casuals Dominate Social Media Web
Tips to a successful social media presence.
Fast Casual

Restaurants Tap Into Text Messaging
Restaurant owners and managers are using their fingers to tap in to their workforce.

Nation's Restaurant News

Menu Trends

Healthy Eating Trends...

What Sodium Reduction Recommendations Mean For Your Restaurant
Restaurants need to take recommendations seriously to avoid government mandates.
Nation's Restaurant News

Medicinally Delicious
When fresh herbs meet fresh food, healing and flavor bloom.
Philadelphia Inquirer

Menu Development...

Big Business For Small Plates
Small plates, tapas, mini-sandwiches are big deals these days. 
Nation's Restaurant News

Training For Culinary Professionals
Feast on the recipes and menu development tools at the CIA website.
CIAProChef.com

Restaurant Industry Resources

Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef

www.ciaprochef.com

Fast Casual
www.fastcasual.com

The Food Channel

www.foodchannel.com

Food Logistics

www.foodlogistics.com

Food Safety Magazine

www.foodsafetymagazine.com

National Restaurant Association

www.restaurant.org

Nation’s Restaurant News

www.nrn.com
(the FoodWatch page is great for keeping an eye on big chains' menu developments)

The NPD Group
Press releases on foodservice research:
www.npd.com/corpServlet?nextpage=press-releases-food_s.html

QSR Magazine
www.qsrmagazine.com

Restaurant Hospitality
www.restaurant-hospitality.com

Technomic
Complimentary newsletters:
www.technomic.com/Resources/Complimentary_Newsletters/