Franchising's Weekly Recap

Consumers want mobile-payment technology A study from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research finds that restaurant guests are eager for the ability to pay for their bills with smartphones and table-top tablets. The study looked at 1,300 U.S. consumers and found that the consumers rated paying with technology as their most preferred option, compared with traditional payments that include handing over a credit card. This study was conducted before the launch of Apple Pay. (from QSR Magazine) Dunkin’ Donuts reports disappointing sales outlook On Thursday, Dunkin’ Donuts reported a “disappointing” same-store sales outlook for the year. This comes on the tail of sluggish consumer spending and more breakfast competition in the market. The company reported a 2-percent increase in same-store sales during the third quarter.  Executives of the Canton, Massachusetts-based chain suggest that stores may struggle to hit their sales targets for the year. (from Nation’s Restaurant News) It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Tropical Smoothie Café is getting into the holiday spirit by adding six new holiday-theme options to the menu. The new menu items will be available through late December. The new offerings include two Savory Island Club sandwiches and four new “Naughty or Nice” smoothie options. (from FastCasual.com) OpenTable offers Apple Pay to consumers OpenTable has announced the integration of Apple Pay into its services. The online restaurant reservation provider, which is part of the Priceline Group, will now allow diners who have enabled Apple Pay on their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to view their check in the app, select a gratuity amount and settle the bill with a single touch. OpenTable is currently letting patrons in New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., use this option. The company will be rolling this out to 20 new cities by the end of the year. (From FSR Magazine) Celebrate Halloween at Papa Murphy’s Papa Murphy’s is getting into the spooky spirit of the Halloween season by introducing a Jack-O-Lantern Pizza and new “Spooky Dough.” The Jack-O-Lantern pizza will be available nationwide thought Oct. 31. The pizza features a smiling face made with pepperoni and olives. Guests can also enjoy the Spooky Dough, which is orange chocolate-chip cookie dough sold in a 1-pound container. (from Pizzamarketplace.com)