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…

Fast-casual barbecue is heating up

January 2, 2007

The Associated Press: Fast-casual barbecue might be a segment on the upswing. Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a Chicago food service industry research and…

CKE repurchases 2 million shares

January 1, 2007

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. has repurchased two million shares of its common stock from its largest shareholder, Pirate Capital LLC, for $37.…

Pizza operators develop fast-casual concepts

Following the trend: Several pizza players are jumping on the fast-casual bandwagon.

PAR Tech intros iSIVA Delivery software

January 1, 2007

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corp. recently unveiled its iSIVA Delivery software, which improves management of delivery and catering operations with…

Taco Bell faces another E. coli lawsuit

December 28, 2006

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Another E. coli lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.   According to a news…

Same-store sales remain positive for restaurant industry

December 28, 2006

WASHINGTON — The outlook for the restaurant industry remains optimistic going into 2007, despite a modest decline in the National Restaurant Association's…

Bowl games mean big business for Oklahoma pizzerias

December 27, 2006

The Daily Oklahoman: From the big chains to the independents, Oklahoma pizzerias are gearing up for Oklahoma State University's and University of Oklahoma's…

Chipotle founder named newspaper's man of the year

December 27, 2006

Rocky Mountain News: Chipotle Mexican Grill founder Steve Ells' vision and quest for excellence earned him the Rocky Mountain News Business Person of the Year…

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

Cosi ready for 2007

December 26, 2006

Chicago Tribune: Despite its struggles over the years, Cosi's believes it has finally found its niche. Operating in the premium convenience-dining arena, Cosi…

Organic farmers are doing well

December 26, 2006

The Register Guard: In 1978, growers who made up the fledgling organic farming industry in the Willamette Valley were, in the words of David Lively, "knocking…

Boston Market launches GutCheckChallenge.com

December 26, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market is announcing "The Gut Check Challenge," encouraging people to measure their waists and take steps toward ridding themselves of…