Category Archives: Food and Beverage

Cheeseburgers with fries in a tray

Interesting Facts About Everybody’s Favorite Fast Food: The Burger!

Cheeseburgers with fries in a tray

It makes so much sense to invest in a burger restaurant franchise because it is arguably the single most popular type of food on the planet. Billions of them are eaten all over the world annually — more than any other food.

Its popularity owes much to its versatility and diversity in terms of flavor as well as the convenience of being able to eat it on the go. If you’re looking to sell burgers for success, then it’s about time that you got to know the burger even more.

Here are the most interesting facts you probably didn’t know about them.

The Name

“Burger” is actually the nickname of this food; its actual full name is “hamburger.” Now, many people believe this is because hamburgers have, well, ham. But that isn’t the case. Most patties nowadays are in fact made from beef.

So, where does the name source from? Well, it comes from the Hamburg steak which was brought over to America by German immigrants from the same region. It was also almost always beef in composition.


Surprisingly, while burgers have been around for centuries, it only gained popularity in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Since then, however, it has become truly popular in the United States. In that country alone, over 50 billion burgers are consumed annually.

In many states, you’ll even find burger museums and halls of fame for those who just love this very ubiquitous food. It makes it clear great investment to go for a burger restaurant franchise as you have a lot of potential customers.

Becoming a Giant

As with any foodstuff, burgers have also been the subject of world records. In 1982, the largest burger was made weighing a whopping 3,591 pounds. It was enough to give 10,000 people in attendance at the unveiling at least one bite. That’s a staggering number when you think about it.

A few other notable records include the fact that — if you line up all burgers eaten by Americans in a year — it will circle the globe 32 times. In terms of sales, McDonald’s holds the record of selling over 300 billion burgers all in all. If you tally that against their history, that’s 75 burgers sold per second.


Friends eating at a fast food restaurant

While the burger is acknowledged to be an American invention, many cities have been squabbling over who invented its modern incarnations. That honor is widely acknowledged to belong to New Haven, Connecticut in 1900.

Speaking of origins, the first fast food restaurant to specialize in burgers opened in 1921. If you love burgers, that would have been the best time to enjoy them as they only cost a mere 5 cents.

Burgers and their popularity translate into great potential sales. If you want a business — and want one specifically in food — then you can do no wrong with burgers. They sell fast provided that they’re made well and taste delicious.

With that being the case, you need to make sure to invest in a reliable franchise with a history of success. If you’re able to do that, you’re sure to make a killing in sales and turn a great profit to live by.

4 Reasons People Love Mexican Food

authentic Mexican burritos There are many reasons people around the world are craving Mexican food. There are now thousands of Mexican restaurants and food chains operating in the U.S. Other than it’s unique and rich flavors, the Mexican cuisine can also be nutritious. You just need to find legitimate Mexican restaurants in Springfield serving authentic Mexican dishes.

Find out why people love eating in a Mexican restaurant.


One of the reasons people love eating in a Mexican restaurant is the “colorful” atmosphere. It’s not just the decorations or the theme, but also the friendly and hospitable staff. Chefs are usually accommodating with the customers’ request, especially when it comes to making the recipe much healthier. They can always modify the ingredients to reduce the calories or protein.

Quality of Presentation

By simply looking at the food they serve, you can already tell you’re about to have a good meal. From the presentation of Pico de Gallo, steaming Molcajetes, and even their salsa and other dips, the best Mexican restaurants serve food with style and flair.

Healthy Options

Real Mexican cuisine is more than just about cheesy tacos or carbo-loaded burritos. They have healthier options, such as Spicy Salmon Black Bean Salad, Cilantro Roasted Chicken, Roasted Vegetables Enchiladas, Chicken Fajita Bowls, and Flank Steak Tostadas. As long as you check their menu, there’s nothing to worry about your fitness journey.

Refreshing Drinks

You will never be disappointed with an authentic Mexican restaurant’s wide selection of refreshing drinks. Whether local beer, hard drinks, or fresh fruit smoothies, they have it all on their menus. You should also try their cocktail drinks. Some of the best-sellers include Daisy Cocktails and Tequila Daisy.

Everyone is looking for a friendly service, a good atmosphere, and delicious food. Reading reviews of different food networking sites and travel blogs will help you find the best authentic Mexican restaurants in town.

Harnessing the Bitterness of Beer with Hops

 boys drinking beer and having funNot all beers are created equal. The main difference is usually in the formula that translates to the bitterness of the beer. Hops bring the bitterness and aroma into the beer. Galaxy hops are among the most popular varieties of hops. It is used in craft beers, especially for pale ales and IPAs, fruit beers, wheat beers, and wild ales.

Understanding Hops

Hops are the flower of the hop plant, which is a type of vine without the tendril. Beer is made with malted barley, yeast, hops, and water. Hops are a secondary ingredient, used mainly for flavor, aroma, balance, and depth. It is a preservative and a stabilizing agent. It is added to the brew during the early stages to give it the right level of bitterness.

When added near the end of the brewing process, it adds aroma. Microbrewers experiment with hops to give the beer a distinct taste and aroma. In addition, different hops impart different flavors. It also matters whether freshly harvested hops or dried hops are used.

Beer Qualities

The bitterness of a beer is not entirely dependent on the hops. Dark beer has a bitter taste due to the roasted malt. The hops add flavor, but the main draw is the rich smoky flavor of the malt. Although hops are the most common bittering agents, other ingredients were also used even before hops became the de facto agent. These included different herbs and spices, the combination of which was called gruit. It took some experimentation with the gruit composition to create the desired quality.

Brewing the beer is a science. However, mixing the ingredients to come up with a particular taste takes a lot of experimenting, imagination, and creativity. It’s not an easy job, as the beer must go through the whole process before it can be tasted.

Man Shopping for Healthy Food

Australian Supermarkets Use Healthier Food as Business Leverage

Man Shopping for Healthy FoodWhether it’s a deli counter with display dishes that show healthier options or simply marketing superfood choices, supermarkets in Australia are using a new tactic to win over health-conscious customers.

A report showed that more people are willing to spend almost an extra $90 every week, if it means eating food that helps their weight-loss goals. As a result, supermarkets are focusing on them as a means to bolster sales.

New Battlefield

Not everyone can afford to buy more expensive yet healthier food, which is why some supermarkets are unlocking their pent-up spending power by offering cheaper options. For instance, Woolworths acquired an organic and wholefood product range to its product line. It spent $16 million for the acquisition in 2009, but it paid off tremendously with around $600 million of sales in 2015.

Smaller companies don’t need to spend millions on enhancing their product line. In some cases, being updated with the latest culinary trends will help in knowing client’s preferences. Food retail technology also helps in promoting a balanced diet, although it could also be a trigger for more Australians to retain an unhealthy diet.

Boon or Bane?

Artificial intelligence in the food service industry could either be a boon or bane, depending on one’s lifestyle. Imagine a pantry that could restock itself when supply runs low, with replenishments that depend on how the system interprets eating habits.

In Australia, junk food and drinks represent more than 35% of people’s energy intake. Obesity is also a major health concern in the country, so it’s not surprising that more shoppers have become aware of keeping their diets in check.

Supermarkets can choose to join the healthy bandwagon by offering more organic options, as more people are willing to spend just to achieve a slimmer waistline.

Please Your Customers and Keep Them Coming Back

Happy Girl in a RestaurantCustomers always look for a reason to come back to a certain establishment. Whatever type of business you have, your survival would simply boil down to pleasing the customers and creating a good impression. In the restaurant business, certain factors would affect the way your customers will perceive you, which will also determine if they would come back.

The essence of a restaurant is to provide people with a great dining experience. Being able to do this will make customers come back. So consider the factors that would contribute to customers’ dining experience.

The Food

People dine at restaurants expecting to be served with dishes that will give pleasure to their palates. Your house specialty is obviously the dish that you are so proud of due to its exquisite taste. This, however, does not mean you would neglect the quality of the other dishes. People have varying preferences and your specialty may not exactly be their cup of tea.

For instance, some older individuals would prefer soups. This means you need to have special cream soup base recipes on hand. Others may prefer more vegetables and fruits, and you must be able to meet those needs.

The Ambiance

According to Fantastic Man Magazine, customers normally feel good about the food when the ambiance of the restaurant is fantastic. That overall feel of your restaurant can be a determining factor when it comes to retaining customers. People are drawn to places that are clean and comfortable.

If your restaurant presents the best ambiance, then you can expect people to feel good the moment they enter it. This, along with serving great food, can definitely make a new customer a loyal one.

The Staff

Everyone who works at the restaurant, especially those who interact with customers, must be courteous and friendly. Make sure they smile when they greet customers at the door. This will give customers the feeling of warmth even before they try the dishes you are offering.

Smiling is contagious and when you smile at customers, they are more likely to smile back. Hence, from the very start of your customer’s experience at the restaurant, you can be assured that it was an enjoyable one since it began with a smile.

These are among the top three factors that you must consider if you want customers to keep returning to your restaurant. Make them happy and your business will benefit from it.

4 Health Lessons from Asian Diets

Healthy Vegetable DietSouth Korean women are going to outlive everyone. This is based on a recent study, which predicted that women from South Korea will have a life expectancy of 90.8 years old by 2030. One of the reasons of their longevity has something to do with their lower body-mass index and blood pressure compared to most Westerners. Meanwhile, some residents of Okinawa in Japan also tend to live up to 100 years old and longer.

As opposed to most western countries, diets from these Asian nations rely heavily on vegetables and the use of simple cooking methods such as steaming and boiling. Here’s a peek of their diets and the lessons about healthy eating which Americans can learn from them.

  1. More Vegetables, Less Meat

A South Korean meal is usually full of vegetable side dishes such as seasoned soybean sprouts, spinach, cucumber, and eggplants. The kimchi, fermented cabbage, is a real staple in the country. For locals in Okinawa, their diets involve plenty of vegetables, whole grains, tofu, and seaweed.

  1. Hot, Hot, Hot

Soup is a filling, nutrient- dense food. Most Asian soups are a combination of vegetables and bone broth that make them rich in vitamins and minerals. For hard-working Americans who do not have much time boiling bones for broth, a beef soup base is an alternative.

Drinking tea is a practice in some Asian countries. Drinking a hot beverage 30 minutes before a meal improves a person’s digestive abilities.

  1. Less Fat in Cooking

South Koreans use a minimal amount of fat when cooking. Instead, they roast or broil their meats and steam or boil their vegetables. If they have to stir-fry, they usually use sesame oil instead of animal-base cooking oil.

  1. A Fishy Diet

According to The Washington Post, eating fish among Americans is still an underdeveloped culture. In fact, between 2009 and 2013, almost half of all edible seafood in America went to waste.

Okinawan residents love their squid, and a lot of other Asian countries have fish firmly integrated into their diets. Seafood such as squid and octopus are rich in taurine that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure while fish contains oils that are good for the body.

Asians have cracked the secret of longevity with their vegetable-heavy diets and taking the time to prepare a filling meal using the right ingredients.

What You Need to Know About Successful Burger Franchising

Burger FranchiseThere are key elements that facilitate the success of every franchise unit: sharing of obligations, the perception of minding your own business, and operating the business in different legal entities. Against these elements, franchising will allow you to reap the benefits of a brand that you and your customers can relate to. As a franchisee, you will also get to tap into the blueprint of how your franchisor successfully runs their business.

How Successful Can You Be in Burger Franchising? You May Ask.

Anyone can become run a burgers franchise, but you can join the bandwagon of the successful lot. Here is what you need to know:

Soar with eagles

Burgers franchisors usually have solid upper management team. So, if from your studying out of an enterprise you realise no one else has better fries than that particular enterprise, then their franchise is your to-go-to deal. Involving yourself with great brands gives you the structure, support and image necessary to remain relevant in the market, notes an expert from

Experience always counts

If you have years of experience in the QSR industry, then you possibly have a strong background of where you want to go. All you need now is a franchisor that will give you the opportunity to use your background and grow as a franchisee.

Understand your market

To be a successful franchisee, ensure you have a stable network of people, and work with a product you love and care about. Also, make sure you have enough capital and you understand your market — one with room enough to facilitate your growth. Choosing a brand with a consistent record of providing exceptional services and quality products will shield you from unnecessary failures.

While you might encounter unexpected challenges when operating your franchise, tuck yourself in the brand to learn from and avoid past mistakes as you build your success story. Therefore, treat burgers franchise investments the same way you would any other investment — without letting misguiding information get in the way — and you will enjoy custodianship and separation of ownership while sharing the benefits of the franchise enterprise.

Food Safety

5 Common Food Safety Myths Exposed

Food SafetyProper and safe food preparation, handling and cooking start with the right information. This is important, as you increase your chances of contracting foodborne illnesses. Here are the five of the most common food safety myths you should stop believing.

Food Safety Myth #1: If the food looks and smells fine, you can eat it

This is false. While a bad taste or smell indicates that the food is bad, they’re not 100% indications of potential food poisoning. However, you must always refer to the ‘consume by’ date as well as its storage instructions.

Food Safety Myth #2: You will get sick if you eat food past its ‘use by’ date

True. The ‘consume by’ or ‘use by’ date indicates how long it’s safe to eat food. You can see these all on the food packaging and they’re actually based on scientific testing. The Australian Institute of Accreditation added that if you were running a restaurant business, the help of an expert with a food-handling certificate would truly help.

Food Safety Myth #3: You can eat food past its ‘best before’ date

True again. These dates are about the quality of the food and not its safety. They’re typically marked on food that has a long shelf life. Although you could safely eat food past its ‘best before’ date, take note that it might have already started losing its texture, flavour and colour.

Food Safety Myth #4: It’s safe to cook raw chicken without washing it

This is surprisingly true. While raw chicken will harbour bacteria, washing alone won’t eliminate it. According to studies, washing could actually increase the risk of spreading bacteria onto your hands, kitchen equipment, work surfaces, and clothing through water droplets from washing the raw chicken. Only thorough cooking will eliminate bacteria.

Food Safety Myth #5: Food poisoning isn’t that serious

False. While the majority of food poisoning cases are mild and only lasts for a day or so, some cases could be tremendously severe, even fatal. Fortunately, fatal food poisoning cases are rare — with over 4.1 million food poisoning cases every year in the country.

Remember, correct food safety information is necessary to prevent food poisoning. And simply because you grew up preparing and cooking food in a certain way, it doesn’t mean it’s the safe way.

Beef Soup Base Recipes You Need to Try

Beef Soup Base RecipesBeef soup recipes are just so good to have in your back pocket. This is especially true for the colder months when you just want to stay at home and eat comfort food.

There are a lot of beef soup recipes all over the internet and below are some of the best and easiest you can try at home.

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Pho – If you are into more exotic dishes, then you might want to give this one a try. It is easy to make and just needs a few ingredients. The main component of this dish is the beef soup base you will use. As much as you like the noodle and the tender beef slices that come with it, the magic really relies on the broth. The Kitchn website has an easy to follow instruction on how to make this savory dish.

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – You can trick your kids into eating veggies with this one. The ingredients are basic the flavor payoff is amazing. You will just need ground meat, diced tomatoes, cubed potatoes, onions, a pack of frozen veggies, a beef soup base, and you’re ready to go. All Recipes website released the full instructions for this recipe.

Beefy Tomato Soup – If you are looking for a quick and filling dinner for the family, give this one a try. This is an easy one-pot meal that will save you a lot of time in the kitchen. For this dish, all you need are ground beef, pasta sauce, elbow macaroni, cream cheese, oregano, basil, salt and pepper to taste.

This tasty meal is easy and fast to make, perfect if you are in a hurry but want something nice. For a complete step-by-step instruction, Mantitlement website has the recipe.

These beef soup is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s for a holiday dinner or you just want something hearty to eat, these easy dishes will leave you wanting more.

The Basics of Taking Good Care of Your Veneers

Porcelain Veneers in MesaVeneers are wonderful dental options for people who are not happy with the look of their teeth. According to Scott Dentistry, porcelain veneers in Mesa AZ are very popular, as they provide solutions to a number of dental issues in one go. Veneers make the teeth look good and also protect the teeth from decay.

Maintenance is the key

Like all dental solutions, taking good care of your porcelain veneers is crucial. The lifespan of veneers depends on how well you take care of them. With good and proper care, the veneers can last for several years without causing any problem at all. It is, therefore, advisable for the patients to understand and follow the instructions given by their dentists in the maintenance of their veneers.

  • Maintain good dental hygiene

  • Dental hygiene is crucial for the longevity of all dental solutions. When you have veneers, you might hesitate to brush well as you do not want to damage them. But this is not right, you have to clean the veneers as well as you clean your natural teeth. Veneers are hard and cannot be damaged by a mere toothbrush, so clean regularly and properly.

  • Do not grind your teeth

  • Grinding your teeth is a very bad habit and this can damage veneers beyond repairs. Grinding can wear out natural teeth too, so it is best not to grind your teeth irrespective of whether you have veneers or not. If you suffer from this awful dental habit, consult your dentist. The dentist might recommend ways to get rid of the habit or put a sheet over the veneers to protect them adequately.

    After the dentist places the veneers, he or she will advise you on how best to maintain them. They will also tell you when you need to visit the dentist again. Don’t miss going back to your dentist after treatment check-ups. During these visits, the dentists will evaluate the condition of your mouth and check how it has reacted to the procedure.