Taco Del Mar opens 200th store

June 7, 2006

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar opened its 200th location in Palo Alto, Calif.   The North American independent restaurant chain, known for its "mondo burritos and…

NRA board member joins Caribou Coffee

June 7, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — The Caribou Coffee Company Inc. announced Rosalyn "Roz" Mallet, chief operating officer of la Madeleine French Bakery, Cafe and Bistro, has…

Panera May sales up 3%

June 7, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. said sales at bakery-cafes had risen 3 percent in May.   Same-store sales rose 3.4 percent at company-owned outlets and 2.…

Jack in the Box to hang on to Qdoba

June 7, 2006

The Motley Fool: The investment community has been speculating on whether Jack in the Box management had any plans on spinning off its faster-growing Qdoba…

CKE Restaurants considers selling La Salsa

June 6, 2006

Bloomberg News: CKE Restaurants Inc. may consider selling its La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills in the next three to five years after expanding the chain and…

Consumers prefer local over sandwich chains, report says

June 5, 2006

CHICAGO — Technomic Information Services has released its 2006 Evolving Sandwich Report, highlighting trends in the Sandwich category as well as taking an…

Is your business right for franchising?

June 4, 2006

Denver Business Journal: You want to grow your pizza business, but is franchising the best way? Learn more about whether your business is ready for…

FDA recommends restaurants reduce portion sizes

June 4, 2006

The Associated Press: A new report from the Food and Drug Administration suggests restaurants should reduce portion sizes to assist in America's fight against…

Bruegger's reports record Q1

June 4, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. reported that first-quarter comparable sales grew 8.1 percent at company locations and 5.7 percent system wide.…

Quiznos cans Baby Bob, starts new campaign

June 4, 2006

 DENVER — Quiznos introduced a new marketing campaign, called "Eat Up," with the goal of giving consumers what they want every day. With this new campaign…

Wingstop and Troy Aikman ink new deal

June 4, 2006

DALLAS – Troy Aikman, three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame inductee, has extended his contract as Wingstop's official spokesperson. Aikman…

Culver's boot camp

Not just anybody can join the Culver's family.

Starbucks removed music kiosks

June 1, 2006

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Reports surfaced last week that Starbucks quietly removed CD-burning kiosks from all but 10 of its stores — a move that caused…

Starbucks reports 23-percent revenue growth in May

June 1, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks credited food sales and blended beverages for its solid May sales.   Company-operated same-store sales jumped 7 percent for May and…

The Loop Pizza Grill cracks South Carolina market

June 1, 2006

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.—The Loop Pizza Grill, known for its Chicago-style pizza, fresh-tossed salads and award-winning burgers, will open its first South…

Restaurant industry growth declines for April

May 31, 2006

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

Raving Brands recapitalizes $25MM, appoints president

May 30, 2006

ATLANTA — Raving Brands, the Atlanta-based multi-brand restaurant franchise company, announced the promotion of Stephen M. LaMastra to president and chief…

J&J Snack Foods acquires Slush Puppie

May 30, 2006

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. — J & J Snack Foods Corp. announced that The ICEE Company, its frozen carbonated beverage distribution company, has acquired the Slush…

VeriFone forms strategic alliance with D-Link

May 30, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif. — VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced an international marketing alliance with D-Link to foster the adoption of Wi-Fi enhanced electronic…

Knowing your customer

Before you start a marketing plan, you better know your target audience. It's not that difficult to conduct a demographics study.