CHAINS CRACK THE CONSUMER CODE - SHOW INCREASE IN SALES DURING POOR ECONOMY
Could it be the menus, the offerings, the service? What exactly are these chains doing to report second quarter same-store sales increases over last year?

- Buffalo Wild Wings + 8.3%
- Chipotle + 7.1%
- Panera + 6.5%
- Olive Garden + 5.8%
- CEC Entertainment + 5.7%
- Burger King + 5.5%
- Carl’s Jr / Hardee’s + 3.9%
- Papa John’s + 3.6%
- McDonald’s + 3.4%
- Chili’s + 3.4%

Not everyone has been so lucky…these are the chains that have been hit the worst:

- Shell’s Seafood - 18.1%
- Ruby Tuesday - 10.3%
- Daily Grill - 7.9%
- Jamba Juice - 7.3%
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhs - 7.1%
- Max & Erma’s - 6.7%
- Mimi’s Café - 6.5%
- Stoney River - 6.4%
- Steak n Shake - 5.8%
- Romano’s Mac. - 5.7%

KIDS, TEENS AND CELLPHONES
According to C&R Research, text messaging and cameras are the most popular uses for cell phones by teens. The study also found that teens are twice as likely as tweens, to use their phones at school (61% vs. 29%). Teens used their phones to text message (84%) more than tweens (71%). Teens also used their phone cameras more frequently (78%) than tweens (71%).

MOST POPULAR FRUITS AND VEGGIES AMONG KIDS (ACCORDING TO PARENTS)
PBS released these figures after re-teaming with PFK (Produce for Kids), a group that tries to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies. On the fruit field, Bananas and Apples are fighting for the gold while on the vegetable starring field, the Potatoes took it followed by Baby Carrots and Tomatoes.
- Bananas 85%
- Apples 84%
- Grapes 75%
- Strawberries/berries 48%
- Citrus Fruits 34%

As far as Vegetables go…
- Potatoes 86%
- Baby Carrots 60%
- Tomatoes 54%
- Lettuce/salad 53%
- Corn 44%