Global Brand Simplicity

November 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Less is more.

New York-based global branding firm, Siegel + Gale, concluded the seemingly obvious, according to their 2013 Global Brand Simplicity Index. The firm found that when consumers perceive a business as simple, they’re more likely to return or spend money there.

Noteworthy findings:

  • 30% of people are willing to pay more for simplified experiences.
  • Restaurant customers in the U.S. would pay up to 4% more if the dining-out experience was simpler
  • 75% of consumers are more likely to recommend a brand that provides simpler experiences and communications.

Currently, McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut are among the frontrunners for most-simplified restaurant experiences as perceived by consumers.

Filed Under: Global Market Buzz, Trending Now Tagged With: , ,

24/7 Biscuits in the East Village

November 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Empire Biscuit, the newest niche-food outpost, opened its doors to the East Village this week. As of today at 8am, the Southern biscuit restaurant will be open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The neighborhood’s most-anticipated munchie-food joint offers twelve butters and spreads and twelve jams, jellies and marmalades to complement this comfort snack food. Biscuit sandwiches and biscuits & gravy are ideal options for meals.

More complex biscuits, including biscuit sandwiches, cost $6-8.50 and custom biscuits with one of the aforementioned spreads cost $4.50. Empire Biscuit also serves the popular, cold-pressed Blue Bottle coffee. The wide range of options allows customers to keep it simple with a plain biscuit and butter or to opt for a more adventurous meal, such as the spiced fried chicken, pickled carrots and sauce à l’orange biscuit sandwich. Some of the more gourmet accouterments include the oxtail & brown sugar jelly, pear & vinho verde butter and the bacon & cracklin’ butter.

Empire Biscuit’s slogan says it all: “Breakfast Lunch Dinner Drunk”.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Openings, Trending Now

Food for Thought: Chipotle’s Partnership with Huffington Post

October 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Two days ago Huffington Post launched Food for Thought, Chipotle’s latest brand marketing strategy. Food for Thought is a HuffPost section dedicated to promoting awareness about healthful habits and sustainability practices. Contributing writers from all walks of life including doctors, lawyers and food authors discuss everything from food legislation to finding seasonal produce. This strategic move on Chipotle’s behalf is timely considering the recent shift of priorities since McDonald’s was its major investor. Now more than ever Chipotle is making efforts to be an industry leader in sustainable, GMO-free fast food chains.

Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle’s Chief Marketing Officer, writes that “people are more aware than ever of the impact that food has on people, animals and the environment.”

Through this partnership, Chipotle hopes to change customers’ perceptions of them as the burrito joint that’s owned by McDonald’s, to the Mexican fast food chain that genuinely cares about the sourcing of its ingredients and our affect on the environment.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Trending Now Tagged With: , , ,

Restaurant Inspection Letter Grades Become Ubiquitous Online

October 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Thanks to a savvy coder, the public no longer has to rely on only one source to view restaurants’ letter grades. Health department inspection grades and points are now available on several popular restaurant-targeted sites including MenuPages, Yelp, Seamless, GrubHub, Zagat and Delivery via Google Chrome. In just one click, viewers get the insider’s scoop on the most recently updated restaurant grade, last inspection date and score while simultaneously making reservations or ordering delivery online. The pressure for restaurant owners, chefs and management to comply with health department standards has never been greater since the launching of Google Chrome’s latest extension.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Trending Now

Keeping Your Customers Safe: Allergens Seminar Monday 10/28

October 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The NYC Hospitality Alliance is hosting a seminar on food allergies.  This would be a very helpful seminar for operators in the area to attend.

When: Monday, October 28th, 2013, 9:30am – 11:00am

Where: Dallas BBQ Times Square, 241 W 42nd St, New York, NY

Cost: $20 member    $35 non-member

Over 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies and currently there is no cure. Reactions can range from mild to life threatening and can be easily avoided with the right precautions. Learn how to address this growing problem by effectively and confidently serving your customers with food allergies.

Please join Mike Spigler, Vice President of Education at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), as he reviews and explains:

  • Common missteps restaurants often make when attempting to serve a customer with food allergies
  • How to communicate effectively with food allergic patrons before, during and after their visit to your establishment
  • How to tell the difference between food intolerances, Celiac Disease and food allergies
  • The emerging epidemic of food allergies and the financial potential associated with reaching out to this segment of the population
  • What the future holds for those with food allergies, including treatment and future research

Click here for more info and to register.

Filed Under: Events, Shopbuzz, Trending Now Tagged With:

The Aussie Coffee Invasion Continues Strong in NYC

October 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

New York’s obsession with all things Aussie, at least retail-wise, is strongest in coffee, and getting stronger. With the large (and growing) number of Australian ex-pats that flock to these shores in finance and law, there are plenty of customers at the ready to sing their praises – when it comes to coffee, Australians believe they do it best.

The Wall Street Journal highlights the wave of specialty cafes opening across the city. One owner, Leon Unglik, is a former lawyer who named his shop, Little Collins, after a Melbourne street. He tells the WSJ that customers enter saying “Oh, thank God you’re here now, we can finally get decent coffee…We’ve got a very strong coffee culture back home,” he said. “In Australia, everywhere you go you can expect to get a decent coffee.”

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Shopbuzz, Trending Now Tagged With:

Tablet Use in Restaurants is on the Rise

September 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The use of tablets is on the rise in restaurants, and is changing the face of customer service. What might have seemed a fad isn’t fading away, according to Empathica’s Gary Edwards, who writes his findings in an article on fast casual.com Although methods of tablet use varies, tablets are enabling restaurants to enhance the convenience and level of interaction they provide to guests.

Filed Under: Global Market Buzz, Shopbuzz, Trending Now Tagged With: ,

When Your Investor is a Customer: Downtown Eateries Report on Trend

September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Sometimes your next investor is a customer. In the Financial District of Manhattan, several eateries are finding the area is a great breeding ground for scaleable concepts, DNAinfo reports.

You’re surrounded by successful enterprises: since 2010, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Clarke’s Standard, Chickpea, Red Mango, Crisp, Chop’t, Dig Inn, Yushi, Terri, GRK, Hot Clay Oven, Pret a Manger, Roti and Chipotle have opened in the area.

Hopeful operators are taking note. New fast casuals that are presenting a great product can catch the eye of customers looking for investment and business opportunities.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Trending Now Tagged With: ,

Psycho Donuts: Mashup Doughnuts in California

September 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Prior to the Cronut, Psycho Donuts was creating hybrid doughnuts on the West Coast, and plans to franchise. The two unit shop spoke with NRN about their concept and plans. The restaurants have a comic mental-hospital theme: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” meets Tim Burton. Read the full story here.

Filed Under: Global Market Buzz, Trending Now Tagged With:

Starbucks to Offer Evolution Fresh Juices and Snacks at Whole Foods

August 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Starbucks announced this week that it plans to sell its line of Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juices at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.  Retail prices for the juices will be between $2.99 and $6.99 for a 15-ounce bottle.  Appearing on store shelves as early as this week, the initial offerings will include 12 popular blends, as well as two exclusive creations.

Starbucks will also introduce Evolution Harvest, a line of snacks including fruit snacks, trail mix, and nutrition bars, into Whole Foods Markets.   The Evolution Harvest line will also be available in Starbucks retail locations later this year.

Starbucks acquired Evolution Fresh in 2011 with the goal of offering its products in 8,000 retail and grocery outlets by the end of 2013.

For the full story, click here.

Filed Under: Global Market Buzz, Trending Now Tagged With: , , ,
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