Quiznos to face several major franchisee lawsuits

November 20, 2006

The Toasted Subs Association, made up of Quiznos franchisees, will be suing its franchisor in district courts across the country, the association's president…

Wood Stone intros gas-fired oven dedicated to Naples-style pizza

November 19, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Wood Stone has introduced a new gas-fired oven dedicated to production of Naples-style Pizza.   According to a news release, the new oven…

Trials and tribulations of a fast-casual independent operator

How one woman handles adversity and keeps her restaurant growing.

Small business owners can't find quick cash, survey says

November 19, 2006

ATLANTA — A new survey shows small business owners are unsure where to turn for fast access to capital. This leads many owners, restaurateurs included, to file…

Saladworks creates franchisee intranet site

November 19, 2006

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Saladworks Inc. introduced MySaladworks.com, an internal Web site to increase communications with franchisees.    According to a news…

Samurai Sam's opens in El Salvador

November 19, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill opened two franchised locations in the capital city of San Salvador.   Samurai Sam's is a fast-casual Asian…

Offerdahl's Café Grill selects RTIconnect back-office system

November 19, 2006

ATLANTA — Offerdahl's Café Grill, a fast-casual restaurant, has selected RTI (Restaurant Technology Inc.), a leading provider of Web-based restaurant…

PAR acquires SIVA Corp.

November 19, 2006

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corporation announced it acquired SIVA Corporation for $6.6 million.    SIVA Corporation provides software solutions built…

Sara Lee Foodservice introduces three new cheesecakes

November 16, 2006

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee Foodservice introduced three new cheesecakes, including Swiss Double Chocolate, California and an Extra Tall plain New York…

Only 2% of consumers will eat Thanksgiving at restaurants

November 16, 2006

CHICAGO — Technomic said consumers are evenly split on where they plan to eat Thanksgiving dinner this year.   According to a recent consumer study, 4…

Organic to Go expands, acquires capital

November 16, 2006

SEATTLE — Organic To Go (O To Go), the first certified organic fast-casual café, announced the purchase of Vinaigrettes Full Spectrum Catering of Los Angeles.

Boston Market to pay $3.75MM for wage dispute

November 15, 2006

Sign On San Diego: The Boston Market restaurant chain will pay a total of $3.75 million to more than 6,400 current and former employees to settle two…

Panera CEO: There is no such thing as fast casual

The CEO talks about what makes Panera special and why his bakery café should not be lumped into the fast-casual segment.

Cold Stone Creamery to open in China and Taiwan

November 15, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery, a fast-casual ice cream concept, has reached an agreement with the President Chain Store Corp. to open 105 stores in…

Rumbi Island Grill store hosts 'Animal Lovers' luau

November 15, 2006

BOULDER, Colo. — Rumbi Island Grill, a tropical fast-casual restaurant, will be hosting the second "Animal Lovers' Luau" fundraiser to benefit the Longmont…

Au Bon Pain to open 200 units

November 15, 2006

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain said it will add 200 units to the chain through expansion into Kuwait and Thailand.   The company has signed master franchise agreements…

McAlister's Deli is the only link in E. coli cases, health dep. says

November 14, 2006

The past few days have not been easy for Phil Friedman, the chairman and chief executive of McAlister's Deli.   A McAlister's store in Orange County, N.C.…

Panera loses lawsuit to Qdoba over lease issue

November 14, 2006

A Massachusetts Panera Bread lost a suit to Qdoba Mexican Grill. The victory allows Qdoba to move into the same shopping mall as Panera.   For this store…

CORRECTION: Caribou Coffee's Wi-Fi usage increases 450% over one month

November 14, 2006

ATLANTA — Wandering WiFi, a wireless technology solutions provider, said Caribou Coffee has had phenomenal success implementing its wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi…

Fast Casual magazine selects Panera Bread as its brand of the year

November 14, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual magazine announced Panera Bread has been selected No. 1 for the magazine's annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers' list.   Panera…