Qdoba online contest pays off

June 27, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill said it received 1,000 nominations for its online "Who Do You Love?" promotion.   The promotion ran from March 7 to April 14 in…

Taco Del Mar signs Tampa developer

June 26, 2006

SEATTLE —Taco Del Mar announced it signed Mike Taylor and Ben Sabo of Tampa-based 2 Jens Group LLC as its regional master developer. According to a news…

Moe's Southwest Grill launches first national campaign

June 26, 2006

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill is launching its first national branding campaign with Burritos for "Life" Burrito Eating Contest and Sweepstakes.   The…

Franchise operators sue Subway

June 26, 2006

Reuters: Worldwide franchisees of Subway sandwich shops filed suit against the chain's founder Fred DeLuca and the franchisor Doctor's Associates Inc. on June…

NRA says restaurant industry accounts for 440,000 summer jobs

June 26, 2006

CHICAGO — The National Restaurant Association projects that the nation's 925,000 restaurant-and-foodservice outlets will add 409,500 jobs during the 200…

Pat & Oscar's remove trans-fats from menu

June 25, 2006

SignOnSanDiego.com: Responding to customers' health concerns, Pat & Oscar's restaurant chain said it has removed trans-fatty oils from its popular…

Fast-casual barbecue ready for the big leagues

June 25, 2006

The Courier Journal: FireFresh BBQ is a new fast-casual concept that is set to expand with backing from the former president of Papa John's and that chain's…

Firehouse Subs ranked on the Florida Private 200 list

June 25, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Trend magazine ranked Firehouse Subs on its annual Florida Private 200 list for 2006.   Firehouse Subs is one of 28 newcomers…

Boston Market is changing

A few things are different for the chain that started the "home meal replacement" trend.

Penn Station sets expansion plans

June 22, 2006

CINCINNATI — Penn Station East Coast Subs announced an expansion plan that calls for 120 additional locations.   Development markets include major cities in…

Japan to restart U.S. beef imports

June 21, 2006

HONG KONG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said an agreement has been reached with Japan to restart U.S. beef exports, pending planned inspections of…

Senator introduces Menu Labeling Bill

June 21, 2006

WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., have introduced identical legislation in the Senate and House that would require chain…

Fast-casual pizza operation sets lofty growth goals

RedBrick Pizza is a slick, solid fast-casual concept. But can it grow from 60 pizza restaurants to 12,000 in just 10 years?

CSPI mulls lawsuit against Starbucks

June 20, 2006

Fox News: The Center for Science in the Public Interest said it is planning to campaign against Starbucks because of the increased risk of obesity, heart…

Moe's Southwest Grill to begin online video campaign

June 20, 2006

ATLANTA, Ga. — ViTrue Inc., pioneer of the User-Created Advertising Platform, announced a partnership with Moe's Southwest Grill.   Under the agreement…

Wingstop CEO named retail entrepreneur of the year

June 20, 2006

DALLAS – James A. Flynn, president and chief executive officer of Wingstop Restaurants Inc., was recognized by Ernst & Young as the top entrepreneur in…

NRA applauds Senate rejection of big minimum wage hike

June 20, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The National Restaurant Association praised the Senate for voting down an amendment to S. 2766, the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Authorization…

Rubio's acquires four locations from Vegas franchisee

June 19, 2006

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill announced the purchase of four Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants in Las Vegas from its franchisee Fish…

Taco Del Mar runs a free taco promotion

June 19, 2006

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar restaurants throughout North America will kick off summer with a "Taco the Town" Beach Taco giveaway on June 21.   According to a news…

Western Foodservice Expo set for Aug. 26-28

June 19, 2006

NORWALK, Conn. — The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is offering an early bird registration for the show, which will be held in Los Angeles Aug.