The NRN Year In Review: 2011

If the restaurant industry was in a deep recession in 2009, and returned to some semblance of stability in 2010, it may be fair to say 2011 was the beginning of coping with — and dare we say thriving under — the new normal.

Challenges were present, from escalated commodity costs to a still-struggling consumer, but victories were had. Industry sales growth returned and restaurant chains began to grow again. The NRN Restaurant Stock Index rose more than 20 percent. Culinary creativity dominated.

The best in the business were honored at NRN's Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference and NRN brought you industry-leading reports in our annual Top 100 census and innagural Consumer Picks survey.

As the final days of the year approach, take a look back at the best of 2011.

— Sarah E. Lockyer


 

 

Top 10 most popular stories

  

 

 


 

 

Top 5 restaurant ad campaigns

 

 


 

 

Best and worst restaurant stock performers

 

 


 

 

Top 5 most watched videos

 

 


 

Special Report: Top 100
Top 5 fastest-growing chains — systemwide sales
Top 5 fastest-growing chains — total units

 

 


 

Special Report: Consumer Picks
Top 10 casual-dining chains
Top 10 limited-service chains

 


 

 

Top 5 Cool Plates

 

 


 

2011 Award Winners
Golden Chain
Hot Concepts
MenuMasters
Operator of the Year
The Norman J. Brinker Award
IFMA
Pioneer Award