B
rad Kane, editor of the Worcester Business Journal in Massachusetts, notes that stories about restaurants and real estate are consistently popular. At a business journalism conference in Canada, Crain's group publisher revealed that real estate stories drive traffic and subscriptions to its publications in major cities. This isn't surprising, as real estate is often at the heart of local economies.

    However, Kane was surprised to learn that restaurant stories also attract readers, particularly when told from a business perspective. These stories delve into industry trends, financial challenges, and workforce issues, appealing to both casual consumers and business-minded readers. The Worcester Business Journal has traditionally covered restaurant news as part of its broader coverage of the Central Massachusetts economy.

    In this edition, Managing Editor Eric Casey takes a more in-depth approach with his story "What's with all the new fried chicken restaurants?" This marks the journal's first attempt at sophisticated, analytical storytelling about the local restaurant scene.