Fast casuals, overpopulation to blame for casual dining downfall

July 27, 2009

An article in the Orlando Sentinel has identified several reasons behind the decline of casual-dining restaurants.   In addition to the popularity of fast…

Tropical Smoothie fundraiser raises $275K

July 26, 2009

Tropical Smoothie Café's second fundraiser for Camp Sunshine has raised $275,000, far exceeding the company's first fund-raising total of $125,000 collected…

Shane's Rib Shack to provide ownership opportunities

July 26, 2009

Shane's Rib Shack is extending beyond the traditional franchise model to help those looking to become a Shane's owner/operator.   Shane's is offering to…

NPD Report: Restaurant units down by 4,000

July 26, 2009

According to a new report published by The NPD Group, there were 4,000 fewer restaurants in the United States this spring than what was reported in the spring…

Pizza Fusion Mesa receives LEED certification

July 26, 2009

Organic pizza chain Pizza Fusion has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the United States Green Building Council for its Mesa, Ariz., restaurant. The…

Starbucks gives glimpse inside reimaged store

July 26, 2009

Starbucks newly reimaged location, now called 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea, opened Friday in Seattle.   The store will sell a rotating menu of beer and wine…

Fast Casual Summit to tackle industry challenges

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The Fast Casual Executive Summit speakers include Au Bon Pain CEO Sue Morelli and the CEO of Red Mango.

Einstein Noah sets Q2 release date

July 23, 2009

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. will release its second quarter 2009 financial results after the market close Aug. 6. A conference call will follow at …

Minimum wage takes a hike today

July 23, 2009

The federal minimum wage increases today from $6.55 to $7.25. U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said the…

Caribou Coffee takes flight

July 23, 2009

Sun Country Airlines will begin brewing Caribou Coffee for complementary in-flight beverage service. Both businesses are based out of St. Paul, Minn.   MN…

Five Guys plans 10 Louisville, Ky., locations

July 23, 2009

Five Guys Burgers and Fries is moving forward with its Midwest expansion push. The company recently opened locations in southern Indiana and also announced it…

Chipotle reports 14% revenue increase

July 22, 2009

While same-store sales for Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s second quarter grew a slight 1.7 percent, the company has reported a 14 percent increase in revenue. …

Second Dallas Cowboy joins Smashburger franchise

July 22, 2009

Marc Colombo, Dallas Cowboys starting right tackle, has signed an agreement with his teammate Leonard Davis to invest and participate in five of Davis' 3…

Pei Wei comps flat for second quarter

July 22, 2009

Same-store sales at Pei Wei Asian Diner declined 0.1 percent for the 13 weeks ended June 28, according to parent company P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. The dip…

Burgerville dispatches mobile food truck

July 22, 2009

Burgerville is getting set to launch a mobile food truck in the Portland, Ore., area, according to an article in The Oregonian.   The truck will be introduced…

Red Mango to launch probiotic iced teas

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

July 21, 2009

Through its Facebook page, Red Mango has announced the introduction of its exclusive line of all-natural probiotic iced teas, to be offered beginning July 2…

Starbucks earnings rise above expectations

July 21, 2009

Starbucks Corp.'s third quarter earnings were reported at slightly above Wall Street estimates, according to an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle. For…

Beautiful Brands to franchise Caz's Chowhouse

July 21, 2009

Beautiful Brands International has added Tusla, Okla.-based Caz's Chowhouse to its portfolio of restaurants to market and franchise. Caz's Chowhouse is the…

Survey reveals working consumers skipping meals

July 21, 2009

According to a new study conducted by WorkPlace Media, 76 percent of workers surveyed have made cuts to their food and beverage consumption. Overall, 3…

Franchisors ask for more time on N.Y. tax rule

July 21, 2009

The International Franchise Association is asking the State of New York to postpone the implementation of a new rule that requires franchisors to report…