Moe's Southwest Grill to open Hawaii first store

October 12, 2006

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill will open its first restaurant on the Hawaiian Islands in early November.    "We couldn't be more excited to be opening a…

Chipotle free from McDonald's rule

October 12, 2006

McDonald's has fully divested its shares in 500-unit Chipotle Mexican Grill, a company it bought in 1998 when it was 15 units strong.   McDonald's grew to…

Wendy's to sell Baja Fresh for $31M

October 11, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio— Wendy's International Inc. announced a definitive agreement to sell the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain to a West Coast restaurant…

College football and NFL fans are loyal customers

Include this demographic into your marketing plans because they will spend money in your store.

Minnesota fresh-Mex concept acquired and set for regional expansion

October 11, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — An independently owned and operated fast-casual concept called Baja Sol has been acquired by a group of Minnesota businessmen. The group said it…

El Pollo Loco withdraws IPO

October 11, 2006

El Pollo Loco Holding Inc. withdrew its $135 million initial public offering with underwriter Bank of America.   "El Pollo Loco's decision not to execute an…

Bruegger's to serve Kettle chips

October 10, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Classic Foods Inc. announced that Bruegger's will offer the Kettle Classics line of chips.   "Bruegger's is the perfect place to relax…

Wendy's noteholders drop lawsuit

October 10, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's International Inc. said noteholders seeking to block the spin-off of Wendy's holdings in Tim Hortons dropped a lawsuit filed recently…

Panera Bread to buy 13 franchise stores for $15.3M

October 10, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread will spend $15.3 million to buy 13 franchised bakery-cafés and the area development rights for certain markets in Iowa, Nebraska and…

McAlister's Deli selects Dell technology

October 9, 2006

ROUND ROCK, Texas — McAlister's Deli has selected Dell technology to support its point-of-sale and administrative challenges.   According to a news release…

Rumbi Island Grill opens fifth Colorado store

October 9, 2006

BOULDER, Colo. — Rumbi Island Grill, a tropical fast-casual concept, is opening its fifth restaurant in Colorado.   Rumbi Island Grill's menu offers gourmet…

Canadian fast casual launches Web contest

October 9, 2006

CALGARY, Canada — Joey's Only, a Canada-based seafood fast casual, is launching its first national online consumer contest. The macro Web site, where…

Former Rubio's CEO takes over fruit smoothies company

October 9, 2006

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Sheri Miksa, the former chief executive officer for Rubio's Restaurants, has accepted the CEO position at Robeks Corporation, a…

Fast-casual restaurant uses self-service kiosks to attract tourists

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Bytes, an England fast casual, sets itself apart from the 200 restaurants in this tourist trap.    

Pyrogrill announces franchising plans

October 8, 2006

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pyrogrill, a fast-casual restaurant, has announced franchising plans.   Michael Curcio, 29, is the chief executive and founder of…

Starbucks eyes Brazil, Russia, India and Egypt

October 8, 2006

SEATTLE — If the company meets its projections and establishes locations in Brazil, Russia, India and Egypt by the end of calendar 2007, Starbucks will have a…

Former Butterball president buys Mr. Goodcents franchises

October 5, 2006

DeSOTO, Kan — Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc. announced that Dean Falk, former president and chief executive of Sylvest Farms and former president of…

Wingstop comps soar 14.4%

October 5, 2006

DALLAS – Wingstop said third-quarter comparable sales increased 14.4 percent.   The private company did not report revenue or net income.   Chief executive…

Pepsi signs exclusive with Cold Stone Creamery

October 5, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery, a fast-casual ice cream concept, announced a multiyear agreement making Pepsi-Cola North America its exclusive…

Daphine's Greek Café creates English learning courses for employees

October 5, 2006

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Cafe, a Greek fast-casual concept, has announced the company-wide launch of Sed de Sabre ("Thirst for Knowledge") program…