Australian restaurant chain Eagle Boys has launched what it claims to be Australia’s first profiterole pizza, the ‘Profiterizza’. Eagle Boys CEO Todd Clayton said, “At Eagle Boys we’ve focused on developing a real taste menu made from flavoursome ingredient combinations. We know our customers are always looking for something different to satisfy their tastebuds. The Profiterizza contains Bavarian custard, strawberries, chocolate fudge and patisserie crème filled profiteroles. Eagle Boys... ...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 »

The global outlook for the foodservice sector is relatively stable for the years ahead, although strong growth for restaurants is not expected until 2011. “Consumers are cutting back on eating out and this is particularly hurting full service restaurants and cafe/bars,” Elizabeth Higgins, Euromonitor International’s expert on consumer food service, noted. “We are seeing some trading down but in some cases lower income consumers are choosing not to eat out all together and... ...Read more »

The financial turmoil of 2008 hurt some restaurants as consumers sought to save money by eating at home more often. The impact was fortunately softer in Australia than America where the restaurant industry, from fast food to fine dining, is determined to get people in the door in 2009. Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks US restaurant menus, expects five trends to influence foodservice in 2009. Restaurants will re-invent comfort food, mix up their cocktails, focus on fresh ingredients, take Mediterranean... ...Read more »

Eating out, takeaways and nights in the pub will be among the first activities to be chopped by UK consumers in the wake of the downturn but restaurants are better placed to survive the economic turbulence than fifteen years ago, research by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has revealed. In a study that surveyed 1000 people, 27 per cent confirmed the first items they would cut back on would be restaurant meals, takeaways or fast food, and visits to the local pub, compared to 18 per cent who would cut back... ...Read more »

Foodservice consultants Technomic have discovered that age-based distinctions among consumers’ use of restaurants run deeper than originally expected. The findings, published in the ‘Generational Consumer Trend Report’ reveal numerous and often-subtle factors that play an important role in shaping menu and restaurant trends, while also highlighting key opportunities to effectively market to these segments. The report examines attitudes and behaviour relevant to restaurant services... ...Read more »

Australian pizza maker Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited (DMP) today announced a $11.8 million full year Net Profit After Tax, up 29.6% on the previous year. DMP, Australia’s only publicly-listed pizza company and the master franchisor for the Domino’s Pizza brand in Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium and The Netherlands, reported that their profit was generated from Total Network Sales of $591.2 million, an increase of 13.9% on full year 2007. The opening of 36 new stores... ...Read more »

The notion of calorie counts on restaurant menus has polarised opinion in the US, as California appears likely to follow in the footsteps of New York and introduce controversial calorie count legislation. New York introduced a law earlier this year which requires calorie information to be shown next to items on the menus of restaurant chains with over 15 stores. The restaurant industry is against the plans as they feel the implementation of such legislation unfairly singles them out as the prime... ...Read more »

More than one-third of American consumers (35 per cent) report they are eating or buying dinners out less frequently than one year ago as the need to offer an edge to the value offering becomes pivotal for restaurants. Foodservice consultants Technomic advise that money issues dominated the reasons for decreased patronage; 77 per cent of those cutting back are doing so to save money, while 59 per cent said they have less money to spend and 46 per cent cited the price of restaurant meals. “It’s... ...Read more »

Limited-service restaurants have reduced the number of beverage items on their menus compared to last year to ensure maximum profitability, reports foodservice consultants Technomic in the new Beverage Consumer Trend Report. The greatest drop occurred in customised beverages like specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. At the same time, there has been a corresponding increase in limited-time only (LTO) beverages. “Limited-service operators are rationalizing their offerings to focus their regular... ...Read more »