Porking up sales

Fast casual certainly isn't hog heaven, but pork consumption is increasing throughout the segment.

Franchisee files $12M suit against Atlanta Bread Company

January 14, 2007

Atlanta Business Journal: A year ago, Sean Lupton-Smith was one of the most successful franchisees of Atlanta Bread Company International Inc. Today…

Chipotle eyes 100-unit expansion

January 14, 2007

Denver Post: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. plans to accelerate its expansion this year, adding 95 to 105 restaurants after it improved training for employees who…

zpizza signs multiunit franchise deal for N.W. California

January 11, 2007

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — zpizza said it signed a multiunit franchise agreement with Linda Su to open three zpizza stores in northwest California. According to…

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show to debut new programs

January 11, 2007

NORWALK , Conn. — The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is slated for March 4-6 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits…

McDonald's to consider sale of Boston Market

January 11, 2007

The Chicago Tribune: McDonald's Corp. may be putting its Golden, Colo.-based Boston Market restaurant chain up for sale. Boston Market employees were told…

Restaurants urged to increase pickers' wages

January 11, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has challenged Burger King to work with the…

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…