Rumbi Island Grill opens fifth Colorado store

October 9, 2006

BOULDER, Colo. — Rumbi Island Grill, a tropical fast-casual concept, is opening its fifth restaurant in Colorado.   Rumbi Island Grill's menu offers gourmet…

Canadian fast casual launches Web contest

October 9, 2006

CALGARY, Canada — Joey's Only, a Canada-based seafood fast casual, is launching its first national online consumer contest. The macro Web site, where…

Former Rubio's CEO takes over fruit smoothies company

October 9, 2006

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Sheri Miksa, the former chief executive officer for Rubio's Restaurants, has accepted the CEO position at Robeks Corporation, a…

Fast-casual restaurant uses self-service kiosks to attract tourists

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Bytes, an England fast casual, sets itself apart from the 200 restaurants in this tourist trap.    

Pyrogrill announces franchising plans

October 8, 2006

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pyrogrill, a fast-casual restaurant, has announced franchising plans.   Michael Curcio, 29, is the chief executive and founder of…

Starbucks eyes Brazil, Russia, India and Egypt

October 8, 2006

SEATTLE — If the company meets its projections and establishes locations in Brazil, Russia, India and Egypt by the end of calendar 2007, Starbucks will have a…

Former Butterball president buys Mr. Goodcents franchises

October 5, 2006

DeSOTO, Kan — Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc. announced that Dean Falk, former president and chief executive of Sylvest Farms and former president of…

Wingstop comps soar 14.4%

October 5, 2006

DALLAS – Wingstop said third-quarter comparable sales increased 14.4 percent.   The private company did not report revenue or net income.   Chief executive…

Pepsi signs exclusive with Cold Stone Creamery

October 5, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery, a fast-casual ice cream concept, announced a multiyear agreement making Pepsi-Cola North America its exclusive…

Daphine's Greek Café creates English learning courses for employees

October 5, 2006

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Cafe, a Greek fast-casual concept, has announced the company-wide launch of Sed de Sabre ("Thirst for Knowledge") program…

Sept. comps rise 5.9% at Panera Bread

October 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 5.9 percent for the four weeks ended Sept. 26, 2006. According to a…

Looming mushroom shortage will increase prices

Hard times for mushroom growers are tightening supplies and driving up prices for the U.S. restaurant industry.   Long-term supply excesses have depressed…

Le Petit Bistro inks 20-unit development deal

October 3, 2006

ATLANTA — Bistro Foods Inc., the Atlanta-based restaurant franchisor of the Le Petit Bistro concept, signed its first multiunit area development agreement…

Atlanta Bread Co. sued for discrimination

October 2, 2006

Florida Today: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Oct. 2 it filed employment discrimination suits against three franchise companies…

Starbucks to sell sandwiches all day in NYC

October 2, 2006

MarketWatch: Starbucks said it will begin offering several new food items all day long at its 200-plus New York metro-area locations. The items include four…

Freebirds World Burrito intros new menu and apparel line

October 2, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas — Freebirds World Burrito announced the release of a new menu and apparel line.   The re-vamped menus, printed on 100 percent recycled paper…

NRA says Restaurant Performance Index declined in August

October 1, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry softened somewhat in August, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Moe's Southwest Grill launches fan video contest

October 1, 2006

ATLANTA — Fans of Moe's Southwest Grill have a chance to win burritos for life by creating videos centered on the theme, "A Moe's Burrito in Every Hand." …

NRA chair, Tinsley, says association drug plan possible.

In a Q&A, NRA chairman Ed Tinsley weighs in on smoking bans, death taxes and younger members.

NRA opposes minimum wage increase based on CPI

September 28, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — In November, voters in six states including Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Ohio will decide whether to raise their…