Author explains how coffee giant lost its 'fidelity'

September 16, 2009

Author Ken Maney, who wrote "Trade-Off: Why Some Things Catch On, and Others Don't," outlines some of the reasons why Starbucks has struggled over the past few…

Web site helps operators pair grilled items with sides

September 16, 2009

A new Web site sponsored by Bush Brothers Inc., the company behind Bush's Best Baked Beans, helps foodservice operators search for recipe ideas to accompany…

Rumbi Island Grill makes California debut

September 16, 2009

Rumbi Island Grill opened its first California location this week in Mission Viejo, according to a story in the Orange County Register.   The company has…

Barone's goes fast casual

September 15, 2009

Father-and-son team Mike and Stephan Monteleone have acquired the rights to use the family recipes of Barone's Famous Italian Restaurant of Sherman Oaks…

Dunn Bros. appoints new president

September 15, 2009

Minneapolis-based Dunn Bros. Coffee Franchising Inc. has appointed chief financial officer Kim Plahn as president and CFO, the company has announced. In her…

Cosi taps ESW for ad services

September 15, 2009

Cosi Inc. has named Chicago-based ESW Partners its advertising agency of record following an extensive agency search.   ESW Partners will handle branding and…

Developer debuts Web-based loyalty club solution

September 15, 2009

Customer-retention solutions developer LoyaltySoft has introduced a new online solution designed to enable restaurants, coffee shops and other small businesses…

PJ's partners with the Saints

September 15, 2009

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans has committed to a two-year partnership with the New Orleans Saints football team which includes referring to PJ's as "the Preferred…

NRA outlines strategy for implementing imperatives

The organization seeks to strengthen communication and improve its core products.

Au Bon Pain deals with recession through strategic revision

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

September 14, 2009

Au Bon Pain revised its brand mission and essence in order to cope with the economic recession that caused restaurants across the industry to revise their…

Revention partners with Repeat Returns

September 14, 2009

Point-of-sale system supplier Revention has announced the integration of its restaurant management solutions with the Repeat Returns sales-building program.

Starbucks looks to Seattle's Best to transform the company

September 14, 2009

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has appointed Michelle Gass, a 13-year company veteran and architect of Starbucks' Frappuccino franchise, to head the company's…

Baja Fresh CEO acquires Canyons Burger

September 14, 2009

Growth Concepts, an Orange County, Calif.-based restaurant investment group led by Baja Fresh CEO David Kim, has acquired Atlanta-based Canyons Burger Co. …

New NRA partnership encourages restaurants to reduce food waste

September 14, 2009

The National Restaurant Association is strengthening its support of food-donation programs with a new partnership with the Food Donation Connection (FDC), an…

BREAKING NEWS: Fast Casual Alliance, NRA create new industry council

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

September 14, 2009

The Fast Casual Alliance and the National Restaurant Association will join forces to create the new Fast Casual Alliance – An NRA Industry Council. The group…

Western 2009: LRS demos its Key Call System

At the recent foodservice expo, Jim Livingston shows how the company's table locating system can save labor costs and organize food delivery.

Chipotle announced ad contest winners

September 13, 2009

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced the winners of its user-generated "My Chipotle" advertising contest. The contest asked fans to submit ads highlighting…

Fast casual riding high despite recession

September 13, 2009

Sales in the fast casual segment are projected to top $20 billion this year, according to a story in the Dallas Morning News. That's a gain of 25 percent. …

Smashburger taps SHS for PR services

September 13, 2009

Smashburger has named Sullivan Higdon & Sink as its public relations agency of record for the Wichita, Kan., and Tulsa, Okla., markets, the company has…

Premium burgers satisfy consumer cravings for more value, Technomic finds

September 13, 2009

Consumers are relying on restaurants to provide value in hamburgers through premiumization. According to a new report from foodservice industry consultant…