Down in the dumps over news from ace research outfit NPD Group that there were 4,000 fewer restaurants in the U.S. this spring than in 2008? Media pessimists interpreted this drop as further proof that the country is mired in a deep recession. But are 4,000 fewer restaurants a lot? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

FULL ARTICLE

The legendary Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo is the epicenter of the world’s seafood supply, famous for its early morning auctions of wildly expensive and highly prized bluefin tuna. Now two Canadian restaurateurs have shown their fellow operators a way to bypass Tsukiji and buy bluefin direct, dramatically reducing their costs and reaping a publicity bonanza as part of the process.

FULL ARTICLE

Family restaurant chain Bob Evans Farms’ new Xenia, OH (near Dayton) prototype is designed to give this old-school operation a contemporary look and feel. Which it does, up to and including free wireless Internet service, flat-screen tvs and the like. Cool ideas—unless you’re stuck in the lobby waiting for a table, a common happening at Bob Evans, particularly at breakfast. The last thing a busy restaurant needs is laptop-toting customers tying up tables. How does free WiFi fit in a busy full-service restaurant, where turning tables at prime meal times is paramount?

FULL ARTICLE