Fast-casual restaurants increase check averages with desserts

Chocolate-chip cookies, ice cream and brownies may not be headline menu items, but they boost profits.  

Baker Bros signs area developer in Arkansas

July 20, 2006

DALLAS — Baker Bros. American Deli, a fast-casual concept headquartered here, has executed an exclusive area development agreement with Lawrence and Sherry…

Qdoba Mexican Grill signs agreement with husband and wife team

July 20, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill's president and chief executive officer Gary Beisler announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Z-Topeka LLC for Topeka…

NRA Show to remain in Chicago

July 20, 2006

CHICAGO — The National Restaurant Association (NRA) announced that the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will remain at…

Panera Bread expects Crispani pizza to lift sales 5%

July 19, 2006

Barron's Online: Panera Bread, the fast-growing bakery-cafe chain, believes its new flatbread pizza, called Crispani, will lift sales 3 percent to 5 percent…

Zpizza expanding to Tucson market

July 19, 2006

TUCSON, Ariz. — zpizza, the Newport, Beach, Calif.-based fast-casual pizza chain plans to open two units in the Tucson area by spring of 2007.

Wingstops to advertise on cars

July 19, 2006

DALLAS — SkinzWraps Inc., a full-service vehicle wrapping company, announced that Wingstop has selected SkinzWraps to be its national vehicle wrap vendor. …

Subway franchisee association files suit against DAI

July 18, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The North American Association of SUBWAY Franchisees Inc. (NAASF), acting on behalf of more than 14,500 SUBWAY restaurants in North…

Qdoba springs the Chicken Mango Salad

July 18, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill has introduced a Chicken Mango Salad.    The new item blends Qdoba's tropical mango salsa with a lime vinaigrette over shredded…

Costa Vida hires former Lone Star executive as president

July 18, 2006

LAYTON, Utah — Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill hired Jeff Bracken as its president and chief operating officer.   According to a news release, Bracken will…

Quiznos introduces Smokehouse Beef Brisket Sub

July 18, 2006

DENVER — Quiznos introduced its Smokehouse Beef Brisket Sub nationwide July 19.   According to a news release, the new toasted sub is a double portion of…

NRA joins Healthy Dining to promote healthful menu choices

July 17, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The National Restaurant Association and the California-based Healthy Dining Program are launching a groundbreaking Web site designed to help…

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July 17, 2006

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Farmer Boys hires agency for branding, menu development

July 17, 2006

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — White Barn Group has been named agency of record for fast-casual hamburger chain Farmer Boys Restaurants based in Riverside, Calif.  …

Man arrested for using wireless Internet

July 17, 2006

SJ-R.com: On a recent weekday, Jim Stevens, 58, was using the free wireless Internet connection at a Panera Bread Co. store. "There was Internet somewhere…

Desert Moon announces franchising plans; challenges other fresh-Mex concepts

July 17, 2006

ORLANDO — Desert Moon, a fresh-Mexican restaurant based in New York, has announced it will franchise beyond the Northeast. The company recently signed area…

Fast Casual magazine evaluates burgers and restaurant design

July 17, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The forthcoming August-September issue of Fast Casual magazine will focus on the rise of the hamburger – commonly thought of as a…

Paradise Tomato Kitchens launches new line of hot sauce

July 16, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Paradise Tomato Kitchens launched the new Ragin Red hot sauce line of products for restaurants in need of custom manufacturing.   According…

PJ's Coffee changes its brand name

July 16, 2006

ATLANTA — PJ's Coffee, founded in New Orleans in 1978, said it is aligning itself with its Big Easy heritage by formally assuming the brand, PJ's Coffee of…

Fuddruckers installs IBM self-service kiosks

July 16, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas — Fuddruckers is about to become one of the first known restaurant chains to use interactive kiosks in its kitchens. The restaurant chain…