Top 100: Pizza Fusion No. 18

February 9, 2012

18. Pizza Fusion, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / No. of units: 20. With its motto “Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a Time,” Pizza Fusion joined forces with EarthEra…

NRA announces Kitchen Innovation award winners

February 9, 2012

The National Restaurant Association has named the recipients of its 2012 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award, which recognizes cutting-edge kitchen equipment in the…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill forms growth partnership with Gemini Investors

February 8, 2012

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced a partnership with Wellesley, Mass.-based private equity firm Gemini Investors to grow the chain.

Beautiful Brands adds create-your-own sushi concept to portfolio

February 8, 2012

Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has announced the official franchise launch of its new fast casual concept, Sushi Freak. The create-your-own sushi concept…

Food fight: Combat rising costs with smarter hourly hiring

by Amanda Richardson — Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing, Snagajob

The restaurant industry is expected to grow this year, but realizing big profits will be a tall order in the face of rising food and labor costs.

NPD: Fast Casual only growth segment during down economy

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

According to The NPD Group, fast casual is the only restaurant segment continuing to grow throughout the current economic time, which has motivated chains in…

Fazoli's sets January sales record

February 7, 2012

Fazoli’s is off to a running start in 2012 with record same-store sales growth in January.

Top 100: Einstein Bros. Bagels No. 19

February 7, 2012

19. Einstein Bros. Bagels Lakewood, Colo. / No. of units: 564 Einstein Bros. extended its presence into key U.S. markets with a well-managed growth plan. The…

Report: Hispanic population growth influencing eating trends

February 7, 2012

The U.S. Census indicates that the Hispanic population is expected to grow 34 percent from 2010 to 2020. Foodservice market research company NPD Group has…

Energy efficiency project launched in California restaurants

February 7, 2012

A pilot project has been launched in California to promote energy and water efficiency at restaurants.

Top 100: Smashburger No. 20

February 7, 2012

20. Smashburger Denver, Colo. / No. of units: 93 Denver-based Smashburger operates and develops corporate, joint venture and franchise stores across the…

Top 100: California Tortilla No. 21

February 7, 2012

21. California Tortilla, Rockville, Md. / No. of units: 37 The Fajita Burrito, Carnitas Verde and a vegan-friendly No-Meato Burrito are just a sampling of the…

Commentary: Two McDonald's greats-listen and learn

By Erle Dardick

Qdoba wants guests to share the love

February 6, 2012

Qdoba Mexican Grill is encouraging its guests to share the love again this Feb. 14 with the return of its popular BOGO for a Kiss Valentine’s Day promotion.

Panera Bread reaches 1,500-store milestone with Manhattan opening

February 6, 2012

Panera Bread has announced the opening of its 1,500th bakery-cafe and its first in Manhattan at Seventh Avenue and 29th Street.

I Love Velvet intros restaurant solution

February 6, 2012

I Love Velvet, a hardware and software provider for the point of sale, announced its first product for the hospitality industry in the U.S. The first…

Make the final word your best

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Each and every day, your restaurant team serves scores of customers. Your desire is to have every guest experience the very best of your brand, from the time…

Top 100: Nando's No. 22

February 5, 2012

22. Nando's Johannesburg, S. Africa / No. of units: 400-plus From its 1987 origins in South Africa, Nando’s has established itself as a worldwide presence…

Firehouse Subs restructures marketing team

February 5, 2012

Firehouse Subs has announced the promotions of several key marketing members, as well as additional talent following comparable sales increases since late…

Former Einstein Noah CMO heads to Sonic

February 5, 2012

James O'Reilly, who recently stepped down from his position as chief concept officer at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, has been namedsenior vice president and…