Wood Stone intros compact Bistro 4355 oven

November 13, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Wood Stone Corp. has introduced the newest member of its Bistro line of ovens, the Bistro 4355.   According to a news release, the 4355 is…

Panera buys 51% of Paradise Bakery for $21.1MM

November 13, 2006

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread has agreed to buy 51 percent of the outstanding stock in Paradise Bakery & Café Inc., a Southwest region…

Radio advertising draws fast-casual customers

Radio is cheaper and more targeted than TV.

Starbucks sued for tipping policies

November 13, 2006

Sign On San Diego: The estimated $26 billion in tips left in counter jars and on tables across the country every year has become the focus of a debate over…

Cold Stone teams up with U.S. Airways for gift card promotion

November 13, 2006

Phoenix Business Journal: Some 250,000 passengers on U.S. Airways Group Inc. flights from Nov. 13-21 will receive $1 gift cards that can be redeemed at Cold…

Cousin Subs rolls out gift cards

November 13, 2006

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Cousins Subs introduced gift cards system-wide Nov. 10.   The plastic gift cards are replacing the traditional paper certificates…

Einstein Bagels unveils holiday menu items

November 13, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels is introducing holiday season menu items.    According to a news release, the new foods include a candy cane bagel and…

E. Coli cases traced to McAlister's Deli in N.C.

November 13, 2006

Associated Press: Health officials confirmed that E. coli sickened seven people in Chapel Hill, six of them students at the University of North Carolina at…

Mazzio's Pizza launches fast-casual re-image

November 12, 2006

TulsaWorld.com: In a drive to meet shifting demographics and evolving customer needs, 169-unit Mazzio's Pizza is changing its concept to meet the growing…

McDonald's declined to settle "hot coffee" suit for $225,000

November 12, 2006

Miami Herald: The plaintiff in the infamous 1994 McDonald's "hot coffee" lawsuit talks about her landmark case. As the trial date approached, the plaintiff…

Cold Stone makes largest donation in company history

November 12, 2006

PHOENIX — Cold Stone Creamery announced it donated more than $787,900 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Nov. 9. According to a news release, the donation was…

Wendy's names Anderson as CEO

November 10, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Wendy's International Inc. has named Kerrii Anderson chief executive officer and president of the company.    Anderson, 49, was interim CEO…

Corner Bakery Café hires three new VPs

November 9, 2006

DALLAS — Corner Bakery Café has hired three new executives to help the 90-unit chain achieve its aggressive growth plans.   According to a news release, Ted…

SMU group wins Chipotle student ad contest

November 9, 2006

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill gave Southern Methodist University's The Wall TV spot the top prize in its "30-Seconds of Fame" student advertising contest. …

Forklift Brands opens first Boudin SF in the OC

November 8, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO — Forklift Brands has announced that the company's newest venture, bakery café Boudin SF, will open its debut location in Orange County's…

El Pollo Loco reports stellar Q3

November 8, 2006

Although it withdrew its initial public offering in October, El Pollo Loco continues to report in-depth results.   El Pollo Loco spokesperson Julie Weeks said…

Radiant Systems to offer VeriFone Mobile Payment Processing Solution

November 8, 2006

ATLANTA —Radiant Systems Inc. announced an agreement with payment systems leader VeriFone Holdings Inc. to offer VeriFone's ON THE SPOT mobile electronic…

Go Roma Italian Kitchen opens first Indiana store

November 8, 2006

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Forklift Brands announced the opening of Go Roma Italian Kitchen in Merrillville, Ind., on Nov. 21.   The store will be the sixth Go Roma…

Cosi says it will open 80 stores in 2007

November 8, 2006

Editor's note: Cosi reported third-quarter same-store sales dropped 4.2 percent.   Globe News: Though Cosi Inc. reported a loss of almost $2 million in its…

Panera Bread celebrates its 1,000th bakery café

The rest of the industry is chasing us, said Panera's CEO.