Chain Leader set out to help operators find the best ways to increase customer counts. This special issue features research and case studies on advertising, menu innovation, employee training, customer-service improvement, community relations and more. More

In an exclusive interview with Chain Leader Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman, Panera Bread Co. CEO Ron Shaich talks about how the brand is growing and changing, but more importantly, how it’s staying the same. More

BEST PLACES TO WORK

EducationBack-of-the-house employees train 30 hours on the job, 8 hours in the classroom. More on training.

We’ve updated chainleader.com to make it richer in content, easier to follow and faster to find the information you need. Here’s your chance to tell us if we succeeded and how to make it even better. Click here to take our quick, one-page survey. Survey

HOW TO GROW TO 100 UNITS

Custom Made: The Counter lets customers create their own gourmet burgers with a variety of sauces, cheeses and other toppings.

Roadside Assistance: When construction costs and takeout sales are up, invest in the drive-thru.

One of our favorite entries from the Chronicles of the Queen of Burritos: California Tortilla co-founder Pam Felix on enthusiasm vs. experience.

Full Coverage: How to Grow to 100 Units

As Senior Editor David Farkas applauds Disney’s decision to jump on the trans-fat-free bandwagon, he learns that some organizations are arguing that trans fats are not as unhealthy as the medical community makes them out to be. More

• What differentiates Famous Dave’s? Find out from CEO David Goronkin himself. Listen in as he chats with Chain Leader Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman in this audio interview.
• Senior Editor David Farkas tries to figure out why Cracker Barrel has hit hard times.
• Join the community. Find out what other restaurant chain executives and the Chain Leader staff do with their free time. Submit photos to our free photo gallery, and off-hours events to our Off the Clock Calendar—and see what other people are sending in.

Chain Leader editors and contributors regularly write blogs and record interviews you can listen to or download.
Our Off the Clock section lets you see how chain execs spend their precious time off.
Roll over the tabs above for more information.

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