If you need new ideas on increasing customer traffic, making loyalty programs pay off or improving upselling, try tapping your staff for new information rather than hiring outside consultants. Engaging your employees gathers information from the people who are actually interacting with customers. This encourages organic idea creation that improves your business in surprising ways.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is bringing back their famous Wicked Chicken for a limited time. The Cajun spices mixed into the batter gives the chicken strips a hot kick. Each meal comes with 5 strips, a fresh buttermilk biscuit, ranch dressing and a mini bottle of Tabasco. The special chicken will only be available for a limited time in June.
Real Mex Restaurants is on the search for a new President and CEO after Carlos Angulo gave his resignation. Rick Dutkiewicz is acting as the interim President as the company commits to a nationals search to find the best representative for the position. The chain is the largest casual full service Mexican dining brand in the United States.
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, a franchisee in the Hardee’s brand, has received the coveted 2011 Wilber Hardee Founder’s Award. This award was given to the company for exemplifying the vision of the brand and making a difference in the community. This franchisee company operates 335 locations and is the largest single operator of the Hardee’s chain.
Bojangles’, the national fried chicken fast food chain, awarded its top unit directors and area managers at the annual leadership conference. Jayesh Patel, a unit director in Buford, GA, won a 5 day cruise and a $800 prize as the top Unit Director. Janet Lynch won the Area Director award with the same rewards for her work in the Albemarle area of North Carolina.
Carino’s Italian has a location in tornado damaged Joplin, Missouri and they have announced their plans to donate free food and drinks to all disaster relief workers. Deliveries will be made to clean up sites and to emergency family shelters. Many staff members and regular customers of the Carino’s location were affected by the tornadoes.
Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile is turning 75. To celebrate the company will be unveiling the new Wienermobile Food Truck. Customers who visit the new Food Truck in Times Square, New York City will receive a free all-beef frank with their choice of toppings. The truck will be traveling to select events throughout the summer and will donate $50,000 to the Feeding America charity.
Another BRIO Tuscan Grille location has opened in San Antonio, making this the 88th location for the BRIO chain. This restaurant combines authentic Tuscan cuisine with a casual but upscale environment. The BRIO brand is owned and operated by the BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group that also produces the BRAVO! Cucina Italiana brand.
The newest Pizza Patron location opened last week, bringing the new brand’s total up to 12 restaurants. The Pizza Patron brand uses special Lincoln Quick Cook ovens to produce fresh pizza in a few minutes, making this one of the first Quick Service Pizza chains. Customers won’t have to wait 10-20 minutes or settle for pizza that has sat under a heat lamp for hours.