Starbucks closes most Australian stores

July 28, 2008

Sydney Morning Herald: Nearly 700 Starbucks employees will lose their jobs after the company announced the closure of 61 of its 84 Australian stores. The…

CorVirtus names new VP

July 28, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — David Hyatt, president of CorVirtus, has announced that Bobby Baker has been named the international assessment company's…

UFood Grill opens first Chicago location

July 28, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the opening of the first UFood Grill location in the Chicago metropolitan area.   The franchise will be…

Fast Casual gears up for Summit '08

Second annual gathering to spotlight economic woes, branding opportunities.

Planet Smoothie selects 'Call for Inventors' judges panel

July 27, 2008

ATLANTA — Planet Smoothie has announced its panel of judges for their Call for Inventors contest, a call to action to find a solution to recycling or…

Nothing But Noodles to offer happy hour

July 27, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nothing but Noodles participating locations throughout the United States are now offering happy hour discounts on appetizers and…

Calif. governor signs trans-fat ban

July 27, 2008

The New York Times: California became the first state to ban trans fats in restaurants when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill July 25, 2008, to phase…

Panera shares drop after Q2 earnings report

July 27, 2008

Associated Press: Shares of Panera Bread Co. July 23, 2008, fell $2.26, to end at $48.74, after the bakery/cafe operator cautioned investors not to expect…

Einstein Noah to host earnings conference call

July 27, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. will release its 2008 second quarter financial results after market close Aug. 6, 2008, and will follow…

Sandella's expands into Pa.

July 24, 2008

WEST REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread Café has inked a multiunit franchising deal with Oliver and Jessica Kiely to bring two new restaurants to…

Quiznos bread supplier closes shop

July 24, 2008

9News.com: Gerards, a bread supplier to chains such as Quiznos, shut down operations early Thursday, leaving several restaurants in the Denver area without…

Jamba Inc. comps drop in Q2, revenue increases

July 24, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Jamba Inc. has reported preliminary comparable-store sales and revenue results for its fiscal 2008 second quarter.   Company-owned…

Costa Vida launches summer menu items

July 23, 2008

Salt Lake City — Costa Vida has announced the introduction of its Raspberry Chipotle Chicken burrito or salad, created by executive chef David Prows.

Yogen Früz heads into Texas

July 23, 2008

DALLAS — Yogen Früz, a frozen yogurt chain with 1,100 stores in over 20 countries, has announced that YF Systems of Texas LLC plans to open 30 locations in…

Panda Express chef qualifies for Beijing Olympics

July 23, 2008

ROSEMEAD, Calif. — Panda Express has announced that Anju Jason, a chef at its Moana Lua location on Oahu, Hawaii, has qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympic…

Minn. key to cracking salmonella source

July 23, 2008

Star Tribune (Minneapolis/St. Paul): While the FDA was focused on tomatoes and bogged down by its reliance on local health departments in its investigation, in…

Chipotle comps up 7%

July 23, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Pei Wei comps dip 3%

July 23, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. has reported its financials for the second quarter ended June 29, 2008.

Minimum wage hike kicks in

July 23, 2008

CNN: The second of three increases to the national minimum wage took effect July 24, increasing the minimum by 70 cents to $6.55 per hour. The third and final…

Panera revenue jumps 27%

July 23, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread company-owned same-store sales increased 6.5 percent for the second quarter ended June 26, 2008, while comps for franchise-owned…