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…

Zoup! Is du jour

Who would have thought a fast-casual soup concept would be so successful?

Strange News: NASA experiment leads to test-tube hamburger

July 13, 2006

A scientist has developed a process to grow microscopic cow cells that can be cooked in a bioreactor to grow a full-size hamburger.   Vladimir Mironov, a…

Original SoupMan to expand overseas

July 12, 2006

Associated Press: Original SoupMan plans to expand in London, Europe and Japan. Original SoupMan currently has 20 franchises in North America and hopes to…

Atlanta Bread opens full-service concept

July 12, 2006

SMYRNA, Ga. — Atlanta Bread Company recently opened its first full-service restaurant — Zaria Café and Bakery.   The first location opened in Vinings…

Defining fast casual

From décor to price points, we look at what makes this segment.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters offers all-natural hot-beverage cup

July 11, 2006

WATERBURY, Vt. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and International Paper launched an all-natural paper hot beverage cup July 12.   The cup is lined with a…

El Pollo Loco rolls out Tequila Lime Chicken LTO

July 11, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco kicks off summer with a new limited-time offer, the Tequila Lime Chicken.      The company said the dish is made with fresh…

Paradise Bakery & Café boosts menu with gourmet coffee line

July 11, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Paradise Bakery and Café has partnered with Royal Cup Coffee to launch a new line of gourmet coffee in its 43 U.S. restaurants. …

Investors purchase Fresh Bakery Café

July 11, 2006

Charlotte Biz Journal: A group of Charlotte investors has purchased the Just Fresh Bakery Café & Market chain with the goal of adding as many as 1…

Cosi turns in soft Q2

July 10, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. said heavy rainfall along the East Coast contributed to a soggy second quarter for the sandwich chain.   Same-store sales rose…

Tijuana Flats signs N.C. franchisee

July 10, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando-based Tijuana Flats has signed 20th franchisee, P.J. Moore of Jacksonville, N.C.   According to a news release, Moore plans to expand…

Beyond the four walls

Catering is a value-added service worth consideration.

Wingstop Q2 comps up 11.1%

July 9, 2006

DALLAS — James Flynn, Wingstop president and chief executive, said second-quarter comp-store sales increased 11.1 percent.   According to a news release…

Burke Corp. appoints new EVP

July 6, 2006

NEVADA, Iowa — Burke Corp., a manufacturer of fully cooked meat toppings and fillings, has promoted David J. Weber, its vice president of operations, to…