Current Issue Highlights
| | 
At Cozy Corner, a barbecue restaurant in Memphis, Tenn., three generations of the founding family work in the eatery, including Desiree Robinson, left, pictured with family members Lailah Robinson and Val Bradley. | | Economic difficulties complicate keeping restaurants in the family | | | | The planned year-end closure of the Blackhawk in Wheeling, Ill., after 40 years in operation highlights some of the difficulties now facing family-owned restaurants. Given the tough economic environment, family-owned businesses need not only interested successors to remain viable, but also a firm grasp of what the business is worth and a structured succession plan for turning the enterprise over to the new generation, experts say. | | | | Read more |
| | | | | | | | CONSUMER TRENDS | | Guests report greater willingness to recommend QSR brands | | Quick-service chains that have attempted to strike a balance between value offerings and premium menu items likely are positioning themselves for success in the post-recession recovery, experts say. | | | | HUMAN RESOURCES | | Industry lobbyists prescribe changes to House health care bill | | As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version. | | | | FINANCIAL | | Study: Demand for deals may slow sales recovery | | Usually, the restaurant industry is first in when the economy slumps and first out when it improves, but a new study suggests that may not be the case this time around. | | | | GROWTH CHAINS | | Meatheads Burgers and Fries paces itself for steady growth | | Tom Jednorowicz has run the break-neck restaurant growth race before, overseeing development of Einstein Bros. Bagels and Potbelly Sandwich Works, and the funding and real estate are available for him to do it again with his three-unit concept, Meatheads Burgers and Fries. But he and his nascent better-burger brand aren’t in any hurry, and nobody’s going anywhere until the pickles are perfect. | | | | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
