Schlotzsky's to place Coca-Cola Freestyle in four locations

June 29, 2010

Schlotzsky's has signed a partnership with The Coca-Cola Company to use its new proprietary fountain dispenser, The Freestyle, in four Dallas/Ft. Worth…

Firehouse Subs pushes past AUV, comps declines

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

How the sandwich chain is redefining its success and delivering on a profitability promise made last year to franchisees.

Leave Me Alone---I'm trying to work!

by Michael Harms — Sr. Business Analyst, People Report - Black Box Intelligence

Okay, so unemployment is at 10% and the economy has lost over 8 million jobs since this recession began. You don't have to be an economist to know that this…

Taco Cabana showcases specialty Mexican cheese

June 28, 2010

Taco Cabana is truly grilling cheese with its limited-time offer on its menu - chicken fajita skillets, featuring generous portions of bubbling, grilled…

Panera pay-what-you-want experiment to expand

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 28, 2010

Panera chairman Ronald Shaich has said he is pleased with the first month of his nonprofit store in Clayton, Mo., according to USAToday.com. Scaich plans to…

Dickey's asks franchisees to seek charity partnerships

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 28, 2010

As new locations open from New York to California, Dickey's is incorporating local charities and organizations in the company's grand opening events. Dickey's…

Big Boy to open fast casual concept

June 28, 2010

The Big Boy burger chain is looking to open a fast casual version - trendily dubbed @burger - in mid-July, according to BurgerBusiness.com.

FoodCALC shows restaurants how to monetize nutritional info

June 28, 2010

Nutrition analysis provider FoodCALC and The Kentucky Restaurant Association are offering a webinar to help restaurant operators market the results of…

Groupon testing B2B deals

June 27, 2010

Groupon helps restaurateurs acquire new customers through its online couponing deals, but could it soon help operators get discounts from other businesses? "We…

Smashburger heads to Louisiana with localized menu

June 27, 2010

"Better burger" chain Smashburger will open its first Shreveport, La., location on July 14, with a localized menu that features Cajun flavors. The restaurant…

Cicerone program aims to burnish chain beer service

June 27, 2010

As artisan drinks – microdistilled spirits and craft beers – propagate, consumers have been catching on. At last week’s Technomic conference in Chicagoland…

Specialty drinks pump up fast casual menus

Upscale lemonades, iced coffees and fruit-infused beverages are making their way onto restaurant menus.

The CEO apology: A new kind of brand booster?

How CEO apologies suit the tenor of the times and satisfy consumers' desire for connection with a company.

Magic Brands receives court approval to sell assets to Luby's

June 24, 2010

Magic Brands LLC and Fuddruckers Inc. have obtained bankruptcy court approval for the sale of a substantial amount of its assets to Luby's Inc.

Chipotle to provide cafeteria meals through junk e-mail campaign

June 24, 2010

Through its "No Junk" campaign, Chipotle Mexican Grill is encouraging Americans to forward their junk e-mails to nojunk@chipotlejunk.com, where each forwarded…

Geo-based marketing essential to restaurant growth

Modern restaurants must incorporate geo-location and geo-targeting into multiple communications channels to grow revenue and boost loyalty.

Fast casual sales reached $17.5 billion in 2009

June 24, 2010

Though the recession took a toll on most restaurant sectors in 2009, fast casual chains benefited from consumers trading down from fullservice restaurants. A…

Chipotle to provide cafeteria meals through junk e-mail campaign

by

June 24, 2010

Through its "No Junk" campaign, Chipotle Mexican Grill is encouraging Americans to forward their junk e-mails to nojunk@chipotlejunk.com, where each forwarded…

Magic Brands receives court approval to sell assets to Luby's

by

June 24, 2010

Magic Brands LLC, and Fuddruckers Inc. has obtained bankruptcy court approval for the sale of a substantial amount of its assets to Luby's Inc.   "The…

Fast casual sales reached $17.5 billion in 2009

by

June 24, 2010

Though the recession took a toll on most restaurant sectors in 2009, fast casual chains benefited from consumers trading down from fullservice restaurants. A…