Pollo Campero opens 50th U.S. location

April 8, 2009

DALLAS — Pollo Campero opened its 50th U.S. location in Boston last week.   With its first location in New England, the chain achieved one of its…

Wingstop expands into Mexico

April 8, 2009

DALLAS — Wingstop has announced its first international franchise agreement for 10 restaurants in the State of Mexico and Mexico DF over the next two years. …

Ulster County N.Y. passes menu labeling

April 8, 2009

Ulster County, N.Y., which is located about 90 miles north of New York City, has become the fourth municipality to pass a menu labeling ordinance in the state.

The role of digital media in the restaurant

As digital media becomes a pervasive part of the customer experience, it is being used not only to entertain diners but as an integral building block of the…

Wingstop signs 5-year sponsorship deal with Dallas Cowboys

April 7, 2009

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys and Wingstop Restaurants Inc. have announced a partnership deal in which Wingstop will be the official wings of the Dallas Cowboys.

Panchero's launches catering program

April 7, 2009

CORALVILLE, Iowa — Panchero's Mexican Grill has announced the debut of its new catering program.   Launched on April 2, the Panchero's catering program…

W.Va., Mass. town, quash menu labeling proposals

April 7, 2009

The Charleston Gazette: Members of the West Virginia House Government Organization Committee ate breakfast biscuits from Tudor's Biscuit World and McDonald's…

Red Mango launches franchise program in the U.S.

April 7, 2009

DALLAS — Red Mango has announced national expansion plans set to begin in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York markets.   To launch the campaign, the company…

Franchisors make bold moves to aid franchisees in tough economy

April 7, 2009

Lansing State Journal: Franchisors are beginning to take aggressive steps in order to help their franchisees weather the economic recession. Tactics include…

Planet Smoothie embarks on franchise tour

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Companies get creative to woo new operators as franchise sales flatten.

Pat & Oscar's promotes three

April 7, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Pat & Oscar's Restaurants has announced the promotion of three managers to the company's senior leadership team.   Jim Konstantinides…

Starbucks to open first store in Poland

April 7, 2009

WARSAW, Poland — Starbucks Coffee International Inc. and American Restaurants Sp. z o.o., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmRest Holdings N.V., will celebrate the…

Starbucks announces interim HR exec

April 6, 2009

Associated Press: Starbucks Coffee Co. has named board member Olden Lee as the company's interim executive vice president for partner resources to oversee the…

Beautiful Brands inks deal to franchise Dallas-based Greenz

April 6, 2009

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has announced the addition of Dallas-based restaurant, Greenz–salads for z' adventurous, to its portfolio…

Food safety tightens under Obama administration

April 6, 2009

The New York Times: As evidenced by the recent pistachio recall despite no confirmed illnesses, the Obama administration is substantially changing the way the…

Fast casual execs adopt QSR approach

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

How lessons learned from the quick-service segment have shaped fast casual operations.

El Pollo Loco announces year-end results

April 5, 2009

COSTA MESA, Calif. — EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., has reported results for its year ended Dec. 31.   Same-store sales for the…

Seattle's Best Coffee celebrates 39 years

April 5, 2009

SEATTLE — Seattle's Best Coffee will celebrate 39 years of coffee history with its specially blended Anniversary Roast coffee and several offers for customers…

Welltech Bistro launches menu consulting services Web site

April 5, 2009

Montclair, N.J. -- Welltech Bistro, a division of the consulting company Welltech Solutions, has launched its Web site, which provides menu labeling services…

Qdoba Mexican Grill implements Fortinet security solution

April 5, 2009

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Network security provider Fortinet has announced that Qdoba Mexican Grill has deployed Fortinet's FortiGate multi-threat appliances for…