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Easy Ice on Food Network's "Restaurant: Impossible"
22 Feb 2012 | 9:30 am
Easy Ice was selected as part of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible episode that aired Feb. 15, 2012.
In this Restaurant: Impossible episode, host Robert Irvine traveled to Windham, New Hampshire, to assist Lynn Malone, who owns the Chatterbox Cafe and has poured nearly $500,000 into her business without positive return.
As Chef Irvine was investigating where she’s losing money, one of the things he discovered was Malone’s commercial ice machine was not functional and she had been purchasing bagged ice at a cost of $3000-$5000 per year.
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CBS Show Features HME Drive-Thru Headset System
22 Feb 2012 | 8:52 am
On Friday, Feb. 17, CBS’ Undercover Boss featured several Checkers and Rally’s restaurants, who have participated in a major roll out of HME Electronics, Inc. (HME) Zoom timer systems.
One restaurant in particular is also shown using HME’s new ION IQ All-in-One drive-thru headset system. Together, the systems help improve drive-thru communication, speed of service times, and customer satisfaction.
Undercover Boss features top executives in disguise, working on the front lines of a company’s operations to reveal areas for improvement.
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CiCi's Pizza Launches Patriot Program
22 Feb 2012 | 8:02 am
CiCi's Pizza announces the launch of the CiCi's Patriot Program to offer veterans a path to business ownership.
Through the CiCi's Patriot Program, the company will waive its franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer a 50 percent royalty fee reduction for the first full year in operation for all qualified, honorably discharged U.S. veterans. This totals to an approximate savings of $58,000.
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Consumers Trading Restaurant Lunches for Brown Bags
22 Feb 2012 | 7:45 am
Spurred by the lingering effects of the recession, consumers are cutting back on away-from-home lunch purchases.
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Male Managers Earn $38K More than Women, Study Says
22 Feb 2012 | 7:43 am
The American Culinary Federation (ACF), the nation’s largest organization of professional chefs, released its "2011 Salary Study" and salary calculator today, the first since 2008.
Among the study's most surprising findings is the significant salary gap that remains within the foodservice industry. Results show that in terms of total cash compensation, men earned $38,500 more than female corporate executives/managers, something federation leaders say "cannot be ignored."
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IFMA Announces 2012 Silver Plate Award Winners
22 Feb 2012 | 6:23 am
During the Gold & Silver Plate Awards Selection Jury meeting on February 8 in Chicago, nine operator executives were selected to receive the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's (IFMA's) 2012 Silver Plate Awards.
The Silver Plates are presented annually by IFMA in recognition of excellence in nine segments of foodservice operations.
Winners are chosen based on their outstanding industry achievements and their commitment to innovation.
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Dickey's Barbecue Pit is Moving to Valparaiso
22 Feb 2012 | 6:18 am
Rajesh and Purabi Chowdhery recently signed a franchise agreement with Dickey's Barbecue and are now looking for the right location in Valparaiso.
"We looked at a lot of other places and they all seemed to be the same—very costly and basic fast food," Purabi Chowdhery says.
"Dickey's is different! Barbecue is a favorite American food and there isn't much competition out there right now."
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Costa Vida Reports 74% Unit Growth in 2011
22 Feb 2012 | 6:10 am
Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill reported today that it achieved 74% unit growth for its fiscal year 2011.
“Costa Vida has experienced dramatic growth despite recent economic uncertainty nationwide,” says Sean Collins, Chairman at Costa Vida.
“We attribute our success to the strength of our Baja Coast inspired brand and to our fresh food which has enabled us to reach this exciting milestone.”
In 2010, Costa Vida reached an agreement to aggressively convert many of the Bajio Mexican Grill
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