Background checks prevent the hiring of bad employees

No fast-casual operation is too small to avoid doing background checks on new hires.

Fast Casual magazine seeks Top 100 nominations

August 30, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual magazine is calling for nominations for its annual Top 100: Movers and Shakers. Company officials said the ideal nomination will…

Potomac Pizza using pay-at-table technology

August 29, 2006

The Baltimore Sun: After a meal at Potomac Pizza in Gaithersburg, Md., diners can swipe debit cards, punch in their pin number and pocket their receipts…

Bear Rock Cafe rolls out pizza

August 29, 2006

CARY, N.C. — Fast-casual Bear Rock Cafe restaurants have introduced a new category to the menu with a line of Pizzetas. Five new chef-created Pizzetas are…

Starbucks nixes iced coffee freebie

August 29, 2006

SEATTLE — A recent Starbucks e-mail for free iced coffee was floating around the United States mistakenly, leading the company to cancel it. In an official…

Restaurant design: Fast-casual look attracts customers

Donatos and Panera add to their brand with an attractive exterior design.  

New products take center stage at Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage and Lodging Expo

August 28, 2006

The Mid Atlantic Region's largest hospitality show exhibits new products and services to improve the food and hospitality business.

Back Yard Burgers declines buyout offer

August 28, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The fast-casual hamburger chain Back Yard Burgers Inc. has received a buyout proposal from Cherokee Advisors for $6.10 a share. Back Yard…

Panera and Boston Market top Technomic's report on fast-casual restaurants

August 28, 2006

CHICAGO — Panera Bread and Boston Market topped Technomic's Top 100 Quick Casual Chain Restaurant Report. The research company released the report Aug. 28. The…

Shane's Rib Shack to observe 9/11 anniversary and honor firefighters

August 28, 2006

ATLANTA — On the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Shane's Rib Shack of Charlotte will raise funds for two firefighter…

Caribou Coffee offers free Wi-Fi

August 28, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee, a fast-casual coffeehouse, announced that it will offer free wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) service for its customers across the…

Papa Gino's renamed Papa Gino's Pizzeria

August 27, 2006

DEDHAM, Mass. — To better reflect its Italian roots, Papa Gino's is renaming itself Papa Gino's Pizzeria and adding a new look to its stores.   According to a…

Organic food sales up 17%

August 27, 2006

OTA: The Organic Trade Association reported the results from its annual survey. According to the report, the U.S. organic industry grew 17 percent overall to…

Quiznos exec fired following Internet sex scandal

August 27, 2006

  The Denver Channel: A Denver-area Quiznos executive has been fired from his position at the sandwich chain following his arrest for allegedly arranging to…

Passport Restaurants seeking $10M for fast-casual development

August 24, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passport Restaurants Inc., a restaurant holding company, announced that it has retained a New York investment banking firm to assist the…

McDonald's president resigns

August 23, 2006

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Mike Roberts, McDonald's president and chief operating officer, has resigned.   The company's chief executive Jeff Skinner said Ralph…

Strange News: Hitler-themed restaurant receives few objections

August 23, 2006

Associated Press: When a restaurant called Hitler's Cross opened four days ago in a Bombay suburb, the city's small Jewish community was outraged, but there…

Northern Kentucky Health inspections go online

August 23, 2006

Community Press: The Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department restaurant inspection scores online at www.nkyhealth.org. The information shows…

Wendy's adds Frescata Italiana to Deli Sandwich line

August 23, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — On the heels of the successful nationwide introduction of Frescata, Wendy's is adding a new Italian-style option to its menu.   It is the first…

Buffalo Wild Wings inks seven area development agreements

August 23, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings, named one of the top-10 fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States by Technomic, signed seven area development…