Salad Creations plans expansion

January 10, 2007

Detroit News: Anthony Ciotti and Luciano Gonzalez are looking for entrepreneurs willing to invest in Salad Creations, a Florida-based chain that recently…

House approves 40% minimum wage hike

January 10, 2007

MarketWatch:  House Democrats on Wednesday won passage of legislation that would boost the nation's minimum wage level from $5.15 an hour, where it's stood…

Intura Solutions partners with CMQ in Mexico

January 9, 2007

ARLINGTON, Texas — Intura Solutions, a leading supplier of POS and business management software for quick-service, fast-casual and delivery restaurant…

Così sales flat in Q4, full year

January 9, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported comparable-store sales for fourth quarter 2006 (measured for restaurants in operation for more than 15 months) increased…

Grilling Chipotle's CEO

In a Q&A with Fast Casual, Steve Ells says nothing's really changed since the chain went public or since McDonald's divested.

El Pollo Loco to be on NBC's The Apprentice: Los Angeles

January 8, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco will be featured brand on season six of NBC-TV's hit reality show, The Apprentice: Los Angeles. For one episode, the company's…

Panera Q4 comps up 2%

January 7, 2007

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Panera Bread reported a positive fourth quarter ended Dec. 26.   According to its filing, Panera's comps increased 2 percent…

El Pollo Loco deploys VPN service

January 7, 2007

COSTA MESA, Calif. — MegaPath, a provider of virtual private network (VPN) solutions, announced that El Pollo Loco is deploying MegaPath's Store Connect VPN…

Caribou Coffee partners with Keurig

January 7, 2007

WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Keurig, a gourmet single cup brewer, and Caribou Coffee Company Inc. announced a partnership to market Caribou's gourmet coffees in Keurig…

McDonald's UK pledges to sell environmentally friendly coffee

January 7, 2007

Manchester Evening News: The world's biggest burger chain is to serve rainforest-friendly coffee. McDonald's has pledged to source all coffee sold at UK…

Moe's Southwest Grill tests trans-fat-free menu

January 7, 2007

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill announced it will test a zero-grams-trans-fat-per-serving menu in 50 locations throughout the country, looking to extend the…

The Counter 2006 sales surpass $3.3MM

January 7, 2007

LOS ANGELES — The Counter, a fast-casual burger concept, said 2006 systemwide sales surpassed $3.3 million. The company projects 2007 sales will surpass $1…

Quiznos appoints new president

January 7, 2007

DENVER— Quiznos has appointed Greg Brenneman as president and chief executive, effective immediately. Quiznos also announced that TurnWorks Inc., Brenneman's…

Baja Fresh gets new blood

January 4, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Baja Fresh exec team has new faces.   The fresh-Mex chain hired 20-year culinary veteran Jonathan Rogan, director of research and…

McAlister's Deli 2006 sales surpass $255MM

January 3, 2007

RIDGELAND, Miss. — McAlister's Deli had a good-numbers year in 2006.   The chain blew past the 200-unit mark by opening 43 franchised restaurants and…

Kelly's Roast Beef to send customer to Ireland

January 3, 2007

SAUGUS, Mass. — Kelly's Roast Beef, a five-unit fast-casual restaurant company, is celebrating its 55-year anniversary with a luxury vacation giveaway to…

Pei Wei 2006 comps down 2%

January 3, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Pei Wei, the Asian fast-casual concept owned by P.F. Chang's, reported its fourth-quarter and 2006 earnings ended Dec. 31, 2006.   For the…

Organic To Go 2006 sales reach $10MM

January 3, 2007

SEATTLE — Organic To Go, the nation's first fast-casual cafe certified as an organic retailer, ended 2006 with $10 million in sales.   The 13-unit company…

Panera Bread Q4 comps up 2%

January 3, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported revenue increased 25 percent to $233 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 26, 2006, up from $186 million in the…

Quiznos exec becomes Earl of Sandwich CEO

January 3, 2007

ORLANDO — The Earl of Sandwich chain named quick-service restaurant veteran executive Michael Grodi as president and chief executive officer.    Grodi served…