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.

Mr. Greek posts nutritional data on the Web

November 7, 2006

TORONTO — Mr. Greek Restaurants will post a nutritional guide on its Web site.   Mr. Greek retained the services of well-known nutritionist Rosie Maclean…

El Pollo Loco signs agreements for 61 new locations

November 6, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. – El Pollo Loco inked a series of multiunit development agreements to open 61 new locations in Georgia, Missouri, Arizona, Virginia and Utah.…

Maui Tacos inks deal for 50 new franchises

November 6, 2006

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Maui Tacos, the fast-casual fresh-Mex restaurant, has signed a development agreement with Lava Flow Ventures of Sacramento, Calif., to…

Panera Bread to open its 1,000th store

November 6, 2006

Panera Bread Company will open its 1,000th Panera Bread bakery-cafe today. Panera executives, franchisees and media will attend an opening celebration in Oak…

Accounts receivable solution added to Intura Vision pizza POS

November 6, 2006

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

Restaurants drive Wi-Fi growth in North America

November 5, 2006

Wireless Week: North America and Europe are expected to lead the Wi-Fi hot spot charge, according to new findings from ABI Research. The firm predicts…

Penn Station is steadily growing

November 5, 2006

Cincinnati Enquirer: The president of Penn Station Inc. says his fast-casual restaurant group will never seek growth for the sake of growth.   "The faster you…

Freebirds World Burrito launches online ordering

November 5, 2006

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Freebirds World Burrito announced the launch of its new online order service.   According to a news release, Freebirds created an…

Democrats take the House

There's a slew of restaurant-related issues that will be impacted by the 2006 election.

Panera Bread deploys NCR POS units in 100 locations

November 2, 2006

ATLANTA — NCR Corp. announced Panera Bread Co. has certified NCR as a POS hardware provider for Panera Bread bakery-cafes.   According to a news release…

Chipotle warns 4Q sales will cool

November 2, 2006

Houston Chronicle: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. late Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings well ahead of analysts' forecasts, but the restaurant chain warned…

Oct. comps rise 3.2% at Panera Bread Co.

November 2, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 3.2 percent (made up of a 2.9 percent increase at company-owned units…

Interior and Architectural Concepts for the Fast-Casual Chain

Fast casual restaurants are uniquely different from QSRs and casual dining outfits. But many operators are still falling short in store design. In this guide…