The U.S. National Restaurant Association (NRA)’s “What’s Hot in 2012” survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs has predicted that children’s nutrition and local sourcing will be the biggest trends on restaurant menus in 2012. The chefs also identified smartphone apps and tablet computers as the top technology trends. In addition, 6 out of 10 chefs said they would consider a food truck as an entrepreneurial business venture. According to the NRA’s survey, the top 20 menu trends for next... ...Read more »

A London-based market research company has outlined four trends that it believes will shape the way foodservice operators develop menu options during 2012. The four trends are identified by Mintel Group are: Slow it down: Fast food restaurants are returning to more time-intensive preparation methods for their menu items. As such, items described as “hand-made” or “home-style” are popping up on restaurant menus. Consumers are prepared to seek more from their dining experience... ...Read more »

Subway has announced that, from today, its Australian stores will display the kilojoule content of food products on their menu boards. Subway is the latest of several major quick service food chains in Australia to make this move. Other include Hungry Jacks, Domino’s, and McDonald’s. From today, Subway restaurants in Australia will also display nutritional content information on napkins, counter displays and store brochures. In a statement released today, a spokesperson for Subway said the labelling... ...Read more »

McDonald’s Australia has boasted its healthier food credentials by announcing that from tomorrow its customers will be asked if they would like salad as an alternative to fries. McDonald’s announcement coincides with the start of kilojoule labelling on McDonald’s menu boards at point of sale. McDonald’s Australia CEO Catriona Noble said that by making the option of salad part of every ‘Extra Value Meal’, McDonald’s is making it “easier for customers to enjoy a serve of fresh vegetables”. Ms... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest pizza company Domino’s Pizza announced today that it will display kilojoules content details on all its menus nationally. In a statement released today, CEO Don Meij said that the introduction of kilojoules counts on its menu boards, online ordering site and mobile devices was a positive step towards offering customers greater choice. The news comes just days after Australian fast food chain Hungry Jacks made a similar announcement. “We are serious about ensuring our customers... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest cafe group, The Coffee Club, will enter the emerging Chinese coffee drinking market this month, opening a cafe in the Yuexiu District in Guangzhou, with a major franchise license sold to the Guangzhou Golden Swan Enterprise Co. John Lazarou, Director of The Coffee Club, said now is the perfect time for the business to enter China, with a strong coffee culture growing in the country despite most Chinese traditionally drinking tea. “With over 1.3 billion people, a growing middle... ...Read more »

Cafe chain The Coffee Club has announced new additions to its menu for the cooler months, with the ‘Greatest of Britain’ menu featuring a range of hearty British meals. The new menu features meals inspired by traditional British recipes using seasonally-available ingredients, and will be available from May 9 to June 19. The ‘Greatest of Britain’ menu includes a traditional British Beef Pie with mushy peas, mashed potato and gravy, a chicken and mushroom filo, a bacon and zucchini quiche,... ...Read more »

SA Health Minister John Hill has announced moves to require all major fast food retailers in South Australia to display kilojoule information on their menu boards, websites, leaflets and menus. The new regulations (under the Food Act 2001) would require food chains with 20 or more stores in SA, or 50 or more stores nationally, to state the kilojoule content of each item clearly and legibly alongside the price of the product, as well as prominently featuring the average adult daily energy intake of... ...Read more »

Australian-based coffee chain The Coffee Club has announced a new limited-edition ‘Taste of Thailand’ menu, combining fresh, seasonally-available produce with exotic Thai flavours. According to The Coffee Club Director John Lazarou, the new ‘Taste of Thailand’ menu features Thai-inspired meals created by learning the secrets of authentic Thai cuisine, a country where the chain has recently opened a series of outlets. “I am fortunate to have had regular visits to Thailand over the last few... ...Read more »

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas tabled an agenda paper at a Ministerial Meeting in Adelaide on Friday, calling for a nationally consistent plan for reducing intakes of energy, saturated fat, sugar and salt from fast food. Lucas said it was time to get serious about developing a national approach to the issue. “In 2009, 1.6 billion meals were served by fast food outlets in Australia. Alarmingly, that means 4.5 million Australians visited a fast food outlet every day,”... ...Read more »