Vancouver Starbucks cut ties with union

April 29, 2007

The Vancouver Sun: Workers at seven Vancouver Starbucks locations have decertified from the Canadian Auto Workers Union, leaving the coffee giant with just one…

Restaurant Performance Index reaches 12-month high

April 29, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry was decidedly more optimistic in March, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index…

Fazoli's intros new menu

April 26, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fazoli's Italian restaurants are introducing a new guest-driven menu featuring four crisp "Italian Market Salads" and a guest requested…

NRA reacts to passage of the Iraq Supplemental report

April 26, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association today reacted to passage of the Iraq Supplemental Conference Report (H.R. 1591) which includes an…

Wolfgang Puck Express rolls into Louisville

April 26, 2007

The Courier-Journal (Louisville): A Wolfgang Puck Express will open late this year at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. The…

California Souplantation set to reopen after E. coli scare

April 26, 2007

Orange County Register: Food samples taken from a Souplantation in Lake Forest, Calif., have tested negative for E. coli, prompting local health authorities to…

NRA show breakfast to focus on neighborhood marketing

April 26, 2007

The sixth annual Restaurant Executive Breakfast will be held May 19 during the 88th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in…

Children's literacy a passion for Caribou CEO

April 25, 2007

St. Cloud Times (Minnesota): Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive officer Michael Coles has been involved in children's literacy projects even before he ran a…

Baja Fresh announces new executive hires

April 25, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced the addition of two new hires, the company announced April 26.    Jerry de Lucia will join the…

New report highlights U.S, breakfast market

April 25, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Dining Out Review: Limited-service Breakfast in the United States" to their offering.

Organic To Go opens 13th location

April 25, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Organic To Go, the nation's first fast casual cafe to be certified as an organic retailer, announced the opening of its newest location in Los…

Panera reports 1Q earnings

April 25, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported April 24 that same-store sales remained flat for the first quarter ended March 27, 2007. Comps at company-owned…

Gift card sales get e-mail boost

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 25, 2007

Restaurants increase sales and profits through targeted e-mail marketing gift card programs.

Papa John's founder to take on Panera

April 24, 2007

Louisville Courier Journal: Papa John's founder John Schnatter has purchased a minority stake in the one-unit concept Calistoga Bakery Cafe, which serves…

SURVEY: Rate your customer service

April 24, 2007

Customer service is an important aspect of restaurant operations, one many establishments can not afford to avoid.   Here at Fast Casual, we'd like to know…

Panera expects 2Q profit increase

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: Panera Bread Co. on Wednesday said it expects its second-quarter profit to grow between 7 percent and 16 percent on improved same-store…

Chipotle to release earnings May 2

April 24, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2007 financial results May 1, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. …

Cosi director sells shares

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: William D. Forrest, a director of sandwich fast-casual chain Cosi Inc., sold 25,000 shares of common stock under a prearranged trading plan…

Pei Wei boosts P.F. Chang's profit

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. on Wednesday reported a slightly-larger profit for the first quarter, as strength in its Pei Wei restaurant…

Restaurants tune in, turn up

Operators keep their ears open to brand reinforcement.