Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen was purchased for the largest earnings multiplier in modern history this February. Popeyes fetched such a large price because they cultivated an excellent brand. It used to be called Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits before Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. The new name was put in place to imply credibility. It was almost named Popeyes New Orleans Kitchen. They wanted to associate the brand with the famous food tradition of Louisiana. A national television ad campaign was launched to highlight the new brand.

Key Takeaways:

• Advertising on National cable helped turn the Popeye’s franchise around.
• A distinctly different name and logo helped Popeye change its image.
• In keeping with its new name, implying a wider taste profile, the franchise has greatly diversified its food offerings.

“Popeyes’ comeback over that decade is a story of a brand that earned trust with its franchisees, and focused on branding, and a more efficient use of advertising.”

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/mergers-acquisitions/how-popeyes-name-change-helped-turn-its-fortunes

An online version of a magazine devoted to news about the restaurant industry has an account of the fast or casual pizza business. The writer noted some slowdown in this industry, as three chains closed some stores down last year. Still, the writer noted growth on the part of three other chains. The two largest chains plan to open many new units this year. The writer focuses on a new chain owner, who started two years ago. He now has 15 units open, and expects to have thirty by the end of the year.

Key Takeaways:

• Instead of just growing more and more, getting better in the process of growing is in the plan.
• There will be ups and downs all throughout the process but determination must be kept to be successful
• There are many companies in competition because everyone likes pizza, but there is still room for success

“Anyone who thinks the fast-casual pizza market is dead hasn’t talked to Ray Wiley.”

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/fast-casual-pizza-chains-still-growing-despite-segment-struggles

The month of May has many special days set aside for people around the world. One of the most common and popular day is Mother’s Day. There are also many other days like International Nurses day and even Principle day. Having a business can be stressful. Therefore, a great opportunity to bring business is to set days aside and make special menus for them. For example, the month of May has days that celebrated hamburgers, cherry cobblers, or even orange juice. making a menu for these specific items on certain days would be ideal.

Key Takeaways:

• May is a great month for marketing, and restaurants can take advantage to reach more customers.
• Restaurants should use a calendar of holidays and things like “national cupcake day” to market their businesses.
• Social media should be leveraged to make the greatest impact connecting with customers and celebrating global events.

“According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day is the most popular day of the year to dine out. But your restaurant marketing efforts don’t have to end there.”

Read more: http://www.restaurantnews.com/restaurant-marketing-ideas-for-may-2017/

Technology is advancing all the time around is. And not only in businesses where it is obvious they can be used effectively. The restaurant business is one where the benefits do not seem obvious but the applications are close to stunning. From apps, to webpage where reviews can be given to things we can’t even imagine, technology is helping change they way restaurants do business. Though most of these changes are for the better, not everyone feels that way.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative and new technology helps restaurants thrive in todays modern world.
• Loyalty programs are changing from the traditional punch card to more sophisticated technology solutions that enable restaurants to engage even further with customers.
• Speed of service is an extremely important factor in the restaurant business. Good technology helps make sure everything runs smooth and efficiently.

“Restaurant technology providers are continually enhancing their offerings, and savvy operators are finding that they can bolster business with new innovations.”

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/consumer-trends/new-tech-targets-wait-lists-loyalty-marketing

Spending for food has risen among teens to a level higher than clothing purchases for the first time in 2017. Many teens are living very busy lives and buying more on the run food items like from Starbucks and McDonalds. Although both offer healthy food choices the market has been focused on quantity of food rather than quality. Higher end food establishments take time to prepare foods and this of course may cut into the time teens spend doing other things in the 21st century.

Key Takeaways:

• Teenagers are spending more money than ever eating at restaurants such as McDonalds and Starbucks.
• Starbucks is the number one ranked brand among teens categorized as having average income.
• Teenagers continue to move away from full service restaurants, trending toward fast casual and fast food restaurants.

“Teen spending on food has hit a new high in Piper Jaffray’s twice-a-year survey of that age group, with limited-service brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s leading preferences, the investment banking firm said Monday.”

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/consumer-trends/teen-food-spending-hits-new-high