Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes

Ideation: Bright Sports on the Menu

Restaurant kitchens get creative with winter produce, adding bursts of color and flavor to the plate.

Consumer Trends

2012 trend book: Sustainability

Sometimes big changes come in small packages. It might not seem like a big deal when Sterno cleans up the fuel that has warmed a million buffet pans. Or when a diner can consult their smartphone to find the source of the fish on their plate.

Much of the public buzz around tablets refers to front-of-house applications, whether in the hands of a server taking orders or atop a table, loaded with games and self-ordering capabilities for guests.

Not every restaurant development of the past year deserved commemoration with a smiley face. Here are a few of low points.

A family-casual buffet chain operating as Souplantation in Southern California and Sweet Tomatoes in other areas

The twin chains’ new owners have tapped a turnaround vet to reinvigorate the buffet brands.

Menus from restaurants featured in the December issue of Restaurant Business magazine.

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