The American diet used to consist of three square meals a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. In today’s mobile society, sit-down meals are becoming more rare. Snacks have become a meal in themselves, and food manufacturers, retailers and food service operators are all looking to cash in on the on-the-go eating opportunity. Is the traditional family meal at home dead or at least on life support? What opportunities/challenges does the way people eat their meals represent for companies in the business of selling food?

Manufacturers, retailers and restaurant operators may be falling over themselves to introduce consumers to the latest and greatest in healthful food innovations, but Burger King says, “fuhgetaboutit.” The company announced it is rolling out its Enormous Omelet Sandwich … 730 calories and 47 grams of fat in one very big sandwich selling for $2.99 at a BK drive-through near you. Does this new offering from BK represent a reversal in strategy for fast feeders?

There is nothing more American than a good burger. And two burger joint giants – Burger King and Carl’s Jr. – agree that Hispanic Americans share a penchant for the all-American food. Both will be developing targeted campaigns for 18-to-34 year old Hispanics. Both agree that this consumer is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English fluently. What they don’t agree on is which language to use in their ads. Which approach, Carl’s Jr.’s or Burger King’s, makes the most sense in today’s marketplace for reaching 18-to-34 year old Hispanics? With more and more Hispanics speaking English and more non-Hispanics exposed to Spanish, what might advertising look like in another 10 years?

Burger King has a new turnaround expert to lead the hamburger chain as its chief executive. The number two fast-food chain in the U.S. has hired Mr. Brenneman, a former president and chief operating officer at Continental Airlines, to keep it from becoming the number three retailer. What does Burger King need to do to achieve a substantial turnaround in its business performance? What are your thoughts on the selection of Greg Brenneman to run the company?

An article by Bruce Horovitz in USA Today says a number of fast food restaurants including Burger King, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. and others are looking to draw in customers by offering them better tasting burgers made from Angus beef. Does the shift to better-quality, higher-priced foods in fast food restaurants represent the beginning of a fundamental change in the product offerings by these types of foodservice businesses?

The largest franchisee of Burger King restaurants in the U.S. says its net income was down 66 percent in 2003 and it was because the chain’s new product initiatives and marketing stunk. What will it take for Burger King to reverse its decline?

Burger King is hoping its newest menu addition can make a healthy contribution to the ailing chain’s bottom line, reports Reuters. What will it take for Burger King to reverse its downward trend?

Brad Blum, the new chief executive officer at Burger King, has a long menu of things that need fixing at the chain. Nearly 20% of the chain’s franchise operators are in trouble and the chain faces challenges in every area of its business, from marketing to operations. Blum is promoting “the open hearth” concept, which he sees as their “point of differentiation from everyone else.” What are your thoughts on BK’s “open hearth” strategy?

According to a New York Times report, Berkshire Hathaway may join the bidding for Burger King. A sales agreement between Burger King parent, Diageo P.L.C. and an investment group headed by the Texas Pacific Group fell through as the market value of the fast food chain has fallen since the original deal was announced. What would Berkshire Hathaway ownership mean to Burger King operations and franchisees?

The SupermarketGuru.com Consumer Panel quick poll on Burger King’s new “Veggie Burger” found that not many people have tried the new menu item yet. However, indications are that the product will bring customers in the door. Will having veggie burgers on the menu bring in new consumers and increase repeat visits from existing customers for Burger King?

Burger King Corporation and its franchisees will introduce the first nationally available, fast-food veggie burger on Monday. Is there a mass consumer market for fast-food vegetarian meals?

Burger King to try something new — rewarding consumers with edible food and better service.