Baskin-Robbins gears up for expansion

March 29, 2007

The Patriot Ledger (Boston): Ice-cream vendor Baskin-Robbins plans to open 1,600 stores within the next for years, company officials said. The bulk of the…

Restaurant Performance Index posts modest gain

March 29, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry improved slightly in February as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Bruegger's launching cage-free test

March 29, 2007

The Capital Times (Madison, Wis.): Bagel chain Bruegger's will begin using only cage-free eggs at its stores in Wisconsin, the company announced. The company…

C.O. Jones hires expansion consultant

March 28, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — C.O. Jones Mexican Restaurant has retained Indianapolis-based MZD Restaurant and Retail Development to assist with the expansion of new…

Starbuck to invade Poland

March 28, 2007

Houston Chronicle: Starbucks Corp. has signed a deal with the AmRest restaurant group to open Starbucks locations in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Taco Bueno taps Radiant Systems

March 28, 2007

ABILENE, Texas — Taco Bueno Restaurants has signed an agreement with Atlanta-based Radiant Systems Inc. to deploy Radiant's MenuLink.NET back-office solution…

Seger may be next on Starbucks label

March 27, 2007

Detroit News: Musician Bob Seger may dump his longtime record company Capitol Records to join Paul McCartney on the new Starbucks Hear Music label. Seger's…

Kentucky publisher buys Prep Magazine

March 27, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lane Communications Group, publisher of The Lane Report and Kentucky Business Online (Kybiz.com), has purchased Prep Magazine, a…

National Restaurant Association voices opposition to union bill

March 27, 2007

  WASHINGTON, D.C. —The National Restaurant Association reiterated its opposition this week to the "Employee Free Choice Act," the topic of a hearing held…

Restaurants build on international ground

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Restaurants look to international shores to boost their brand and build an image.

Starbucks chairman to receive ethics award

March 26, 2007

South Bend Tribune: Howard Schultz, chairman of coffee giant Starbucks, is being awarded the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Award for Ethics in Business…

Restaurant reservations: Serve up success

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

March 26, 2007

Restaurant operators rely on e-mail to remind consumers to make a reservation.

Winter weather may hurt restaurant results

March 26, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A restaurant-industry analyst said Monday that severe winter weather could hurt first-quarter results for many restaurant companies.

Panera appoints new accounting chief

March 26, 2007

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread Co. has appointed Amy Kuzdowicz controller and chief accounting officer. Kuzdowicz will replace Richard Isaak, who…

Cold Stone Creamery to open first China shop

March 25, 2007

Shanghaiist: Ice cream vendor Cold Stone Creamery will open its first outlet in mainland China on April 23. The company plans to open 105 stores in China over…

Lawyers eye consumer-created ads

March 25, 2007

Law.com: Company-sponsored video ad contests can be a legal minefield, copyright lawyers are warning. A 2006 contest by sandwich maker Quizno's sparked a…

Starbucks drops Dreamgirl from annual meeting

March 22, 2007

WSJV (South Bend, Ind.): Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz cancelled a planned concert by Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson due to the former American Idol…

Extreme Pita targets northern California for expansion

March 22, 2007

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Canadian franchise Extreme Pita has opened its newest restaurant at Auto Mall Parkway and Hugo Street in Fremont, Calif. The opening is…

Paul McCartney signs with Starbucks

March 21, 2007

SEATTLE — Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance via satellite at the Starbucks annual meeting March 21 in conjunction with the company's announcement that…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs with Windsor Realty Group

March 21, 2007

ATLANTA – Destin, Fla.-based Tropical Smoothie Café, an independently-owned franchise system with more than 235 locations, has signed with Windsor Realty…