The fast-casual segment has rebounded since 2016, but experienced a consecutive year of single-digit sales growth performance in 2017, according to findings released by Technomic, Chicago.

Prepared foods continue to present a major opportunity for retailers, including convenience stores.

While many shifts in the restaurant industry are slow to take hold, the use and availability of data is one trend that's quickly emerging, according to the 2018 Restaurant Trends Forecast, produced by Restaurant Business magazine, Chicago, and Technomic, Chicago.

Here is this week's personnel news lineup.

Now Millennials are coming of age and having kids of their own, and Millennial parents are a new demographic that operators must pay attention to, according to “2017 U.S. Millennial Parents Insights Report,” produced by Technomic, Chicago.

A report released by Technomic, Chicago, indicates that the restaurant industry overall fared relatively well in 2016, but full service has experienced some highs and lows, with annual sales growth dipping to 1.4% and unit growth remaining flat.

Sandwiches, burgers and other handheld items account for nearly one out of every four dollars spent in the foodservice channel in 2016, totaling just over $205 billion in sales, according to "Foodservice Prepared Sandwich Category," a study produced by Technomic Inc., Chicago.

Chicago-based Technomic identified five themes that will define consumer foodservice behavior this year.