Raving Brands names new CDO

December 5, 2006

ATLANTA — Raving Brands, the Atlanta-based fast-casual holding company, announced the promotion of Chris Morocco to executive vice president and chief…

Taco Cabana features zesty tunes in restaurants

December 5, 2006

REDMOND, Wash. — PlayNetwork Inc. announced it is providing custom music for 130 Taco Cabana restaurants nationwide.   "We wanted to build an emotional…

Survey: Operators are ready for self-service technology

December 4, 2006

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Almost two-thirds of restaurant operators have tested or are testing self-service solutions, a Channel Media & Market Research survey…

Caribou Coffee partners with Coca-Cola

December 4, 2006

Charlotte Business Journal: Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. and Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) plan to launch a new line of premium ready-to-drink iced coffees in the…

Subway rolls out electronic Cash Cards

December 4, 2006

MILFORD, Conn. — SUBWAY is rolling out its SUBWAY Cash Card, which can be used just like a gift or personal spending card.   According to a news release…

Taco Bell and McAlister's: Damage control done well

These brands have successfully handled E. coli outbreaks... . So far. 

Culver's switches to zero grams trans-fat cooking oil

December 4, 2006

PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Culver Franchising System, which operates more than 345 Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurger restaurants, announced will complete a…

Cold Stone names new president

December 3, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery announced that Lee Knowlton has been promoted to president of international and new business development.    Prior to…

Bad Ass Coffee gives soldiers free coffee

December 3, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Bad Ass Coffee Company, a fast-casual coffeehouse, is sending troops overseas bags of coffee.   According to a news release, the…

NRA research: Industry outlook positive despite slip in RPI

November 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained positive in October, despite a modest decline in the National Restaurant Association's…

Papa Gino's Holdings appoints veteran ops leaders

November 30, 2006

DEDHAM, Mass. — Papa Gino's Holdings Corp. (PGHC), parent company of Papa Gino's Pizza and D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, appointed two industry veterans to its…

Starbucks opens in Brazil

November 30, 2006

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Starbucks Coffee Company and Starbucks Brazil announced that its first two stores will open this week in the capital of São Paulo at…

Caribou Coffee selects software to help it track finances

November 30, 2006

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Imperva, a data security and compliance solutions provider, announced that Caribou Coffee has deployed the SecureSphere Database…

Brands seek military veteran franchisees

November 30, 2006

Kita Business: VetFran, shorthand for the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, offers reduced-cost entry into the world of franchising. Originally, it…

Fast-casual customers eat alone

Appeal to single diners to make sales grow.

Intura Solutions joins Zebra's PartnersFirst program

November 29, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas — Intura Solutions LP, a leading supplier of POS and business-management software for quick-service, fast-casual and delivery-restaurant…

Pollo Campero founder suing the company

November 29, 2006

MIAMI — Juan Arturo Gutierrez, founder of Pollo Campero, is suing the fresh-Mex chain and other related companies.     Last week a new action was filed in a…

Jody Maroni's intros gourmet pizza toppings

November 28, 2006

VENICE, Calif. — Sausage maker Jody Maroni's now is providing pizza toppings such as crumbled chicken and pork sausages in exotic flavors.   "We have seen how…

zpizza to open five units in Virginia Beach, Norfolk

November 28, 2006

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — zpizza has signed a multiunit franchise agreement with Linda Tran to open five units in southeast Virginia. According to a news…

Strategic Restaurant Acquisitions invests in Bear Rock Café

November 28, 2006

CARY, N.C. — Strategic Restaurant Acquisitions Corp., a fast-food company focused on franchise development and acquisition, has invested in Bear Rock Cafe.