NRA Show Blog

Restaurant operators sales growth, economic outlook hits seven-month high

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Driven by positive same-store sales and an increasingly optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest level in five months. 

The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.6 in November, up 0.6 percent from October. In addition, November represented the second time in the last three months that the RPI stood above 100, which signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators. 

“Among the forward-looking indicators, restaurant operators’ outlook for both sales growth and the overall economy rose to their highest levels in seven months,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the Association.

Restaurant Neighbor, Faces of Diversity Awards' nomination deadline extended

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association has extended the nominations deadline for its annual Restaurant Neighbor Awards and Faces of Diversity. All nominations are due no later than Jan. 7.

The Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity programs are part of the NRA's Restaurant Industry Awards, which celebrate a commitment to diversity and charitable giving. Both awards programs honor foodservice industry professionals who best represent the restaurant industry's ideals.

All individuals employed in the foodservice and hospitality industry are eligible to be nominated for either award.

The awards will be presented April 16, 2012, at a gala event during the association's Public Affairs conference in Washington, D.C.

Foodie frenzie: LivingSocial Gourmet expands to seven cities

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

LivingSocial continues the expansion of Gourmet, its high-end restaurant product to seven cities with the launch of Boston and Atlanta, which join recent launches in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia and Portland, Ore., with more to come in 2012.

“Our Gourmet offers connect restaurateurs with the clientele they desire - people who appreciate food and dine out frequently, while at the same time giving our members access to one-of-a-kind culinary experiences that aren’t available anywhere else,” said Alli Phillips, GM of Restaurants at LivingSocial.

An average Gourmet offer costs upward of 100 dollars per person and includes some of the finest foods, wines and spirits LivingSocial’s restaurateur partners have to offer. Gourmet offers have ranged from a meatball making class with Joey Campanaro at Little Owl in New York, to an eight-course prix-fixe tasting menu at two-Michelin starred Saison in San Francisco, to exclusive tickets to ChurchKey’s New Year’s Eve bash in Washington, D.C. Each offer is available for two weeks or until it sells out. 

Video: Avoiding winter weight gain

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association's Joy Dubost, Ph.D, R.D., shares tips for avoiding weight gain during the winter months.

 

The Association's Kids LiveWell program helps families find healthful kids menu options at restaurants nationwide. Kids LiveWell will be featured in the National Restaurant Association booth #6300 at the concourse entrance to the North Hall on the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show floor.

In addition, the NRA Show is launching a new Healthier Kids Fare pavilion to underscore its commitment to helping its members and NRA Show attendees increase healthful children’s options on restaurant menus. This special area of the show floor will make it easy for foodservice operators to find a range of healthful food and beverage products to develop delicious and nutritious children’s menus.

100 million Americans will ring in 2012 at a restaurant or bar

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association forecasts that 100 million Americans plan to celebrate New Year's Eve by going out with family or friends to a restaurant or bar, or order restaurant takeout or delivery.

“New Year’s is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year to dine out,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.

Riehle added, “This year, we expect to see a welcomed bump in customer traffic both on- and off-premises as we ring in the new year.”

The survey of 1,006 American adults shows that one in five consumers (20 percent) plan to go out to a restaurant or bar on New Year’s Eve, and 22 percent say they plan to order restaurant takeout or delivery on that day. On New Year’s Day, 12 percent plan to dine out and 16 percent say they plan to order takeout or delivery from a restaurant.

Candice Long cooks with Kindle Fire, wins first-ever NRA Show Facebook contest

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

After a nationwide contest among past and present attendees at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and its sib event the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB), Candice Long of Trail Creek, Ind. won the first-ever “Share Your NRA Show ‘Only Here’ Story” fan contest on Facebook.

“In its 90+ years of consecutive annual events, the NRA Show has created countless business successes, experiences and memories for millions of restaurant industry professionals,” said Jack Crawford, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2012 and President and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC (IOC). “The NRA Show and IWSB are inherently social events, so it’s natural to have extended the experience through social media.” 

“My very favorite visit to the Show was the first time I took my son Jacob. He walked around in amazement, constantly repeating ‘It's better than you said Mom, it's better than you said!’ The look on his face when he saw the commercial mixers and the water faucet that seemed to appear out of nowhere, said it all,” said Candice Long. “He took SO many pictures of everything. The icing on the cake was when he bumped into Chef Keegan from Food Network Challenge. From that day on, he knew he could do absolutely anything [that] he dreamed.” 

From the NRA Show’s Facebook page, contestants could enter the testimonial contest by posting their best story, business success or memory at a NRA Show or IWSB where NRA Show Facebook page fans could view and vote on their favorite story. Candice Long’s story was selected as the grand prize winner for having the most votes which awarded her a Kindle Fire and $100 Kindle gift card. 

Holiday wish list: Americans want a restaurant gift card

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

One in five Americans (26 percent) plan to give a restaurant gift card as a holiday gift this year. However, more than twice as many (59 percent) say they would like to receive a restaurant gift card, indicating a potential restaurant gift card shortage in Christmas stockings across America. 

“A gift card to a restaurant makes for a flexible gift that allows recipients to use it next time they visit their favorite restaurant or save it for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary. It’s the perfect choice for those who wish to provide friends and family with an experience rather than a material item,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.

The National Restaurant Association’s survey of 1,006 American adults shows that women (65 percent) are somewhat more likely than men (52 percent) to want to receive a restaurant gift card this holiday, but Americans across age groups are equally likely to enjoy a restaurant gift card. 

Chefs cook with Kindle Fire

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

Do you cook with Kindle Fire? In honor of the holidays, the foodies at the National Restaurant Association are giving away a Kindle Fire and $100 Kindle gift card to celebrate food lovers like you. It's their way of saying thank you for being part of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) shared history.

Enter now through December 16th for a chance to win and get ready to celebrate the holidays. The story with the most votes will receive the grand prize - a new Kindle Fire and $100 Kindle gift card.

Entering is easy. Just submit your story via the NRA Show Facebook page in the "Share Your Only Here Story" tab.

Happy Holidays!

NRA Show 2012 and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event

Chefs reveal top menu, tech trends for 2012

 
By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

The National Restaurant Association’s “What’s Hot in 2012” survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – reveals children’s nutrition and local sourcing will be the hottest trends on restaurant menus in 2012. Chefs also identified smartphone apps and tablet computers as top technology trends. In addition, 6 out of 10 chefs said they would consider a food truck as an entrepreneurial business venture.

“Nutrition – especially when it comes to children – is becoming a major focus for the nation’s nearly one million restaurants, in tune with consumers’ increasing interest in healthful eating,” said said Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., director of Nutrition & Healthy Living for the National Restaurant Association.

The top 10 menu trends for next year will be: Locally sourced meats and seafood; Locally grown produce; Healthful kids’ meals; Hyper-local items; Sustainability as a culinary theme; Children’s nutrition as a culinary theme; Gluten-free/food allergy-conscious items; Locally produced wine and beer; Sustainable seafood; and Whole grain items in kids’ meals.

"Share Your NRA Show Story" Fan Contest

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

What's your story? The National Restaurant Association wants to hear anecdotes, business success stories or memories from its annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB). Submit your stories for the new Facebook fan contest: “Only Here at NRA Show or IWSB.” The story with the most likes will receive a new Kindle Fire and $100 Kindle gift card. 

Current and past attendees can enter the contest via the NRA Show Facebook page in the “Share Your Only Here Story” app under NRA Show profile picture through Friday, December 16, 2011. From the NRA Show’s Facebook page, participants can post a story about their experience using the “Share Your Only Here Story” app where NRA Show Facebook page members can view and vote on their favorite story.  The NRA Show is set for May 5 through 8, 2012, in Chicago. IWSB is set for May 6 and 7. For more information, visit www.restaurant.org/show or www.winespiritsbeer.org, or register.