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Sales among the limited-service pizza industry grew by 3.7 percent in 2017, while units grew by .9 percent, according to Technomic’s 2018 Pizza Occasion Consumer Trend Report.

A roundup of interesting bits of news that came across the editor’s desk in the last month, including mergers and acquisitions, milestones, chain news, personnel news and a bit of recommended reading. 

Restaurants seeking to stand out in a crowded marketplace may find that secondary markets offer the right opportunities, according to the 2018 Retail and Restaurant Real Estate Outlook from Buxton, a real estate consultancy.

Dunkin’ Donuts unveiled a new 2,200-square-foot concept store in Quincy, Mass. The unit features a new double drive-thru with a dedicated mobile order pickup lane for loyalty card holders who order ahead via the chain’s app.

Upgraded restaurant dining is a hot trend at airports across the country, and HMSHost, in partnership with KIND Hospitality, Inc. and Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, LLC, was awarded a 12-year contract valued at $264 million to bring new food and beverage locations to Terminal 3 in Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport.

Mobile technology is top of mind for many restaurant franchise owners and franchisors, according to the results of a survey conducted by TD Bank at the 2017 Restaurant Finance and Development Conference in Las Vegas.

It’s a sign of the future: Birdcall is a new restaurant chain in Denver that doesn't have traditional front of house staff. Instead, this fast-casual scratch-cooking chicken-focused concept uses kiosks for ordering.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop signed multiple franchise agreements that will bring new restaurants to Colorado, Utah, South Dakota and Delaware.