Local: The ins, the outs and the details

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

We hear the term local tossed around pretty loosely nowadays. While it's popping up on just about everything with a price tag (local business, locally owned…

Where do we go in 2011?

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

This week, all across America, there are countless restaurant executives taking stock of how they and their companies performed in 2010. Even the casual…

Uptown Dallas Smashburger opens

December 22, 2010

Smashburger opened its third Dallas location Wednesday in Uptown Plaza on the corner of McKinney Avenue and Pearl Street. This is the third of 10 Dallas area…

Saladworks inks another Pennsylvania agreement

December 22, 2010

Saladworks has signed two new agreements with franchisees to further develop the Pennsylvania market.

2010: Fast Casual year in review

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Healthcare reform, bankruptcy protection and brand overhauls highlight a year full of the quintessential highs and lows.  

Einstein Noah completes multiyear deleveraging

December 21, 2010

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. announced that it has completed a multiyear period of deleveraging its balance sheet and will now re-allocate its available…

NRA comments on final food safety bill passage

December 21, 2010

The National Restaurant Association has issued a statement following final passage of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act: "We…

Pick Up Stix rings in 2011 with new owner

December 20, 2010

Carlson Restaurant Inc. has sold its 74-unit chain Pick Up Stix to Lorne Goldberg, principal of West Coast Capital.

Firehouse adds first menu addition in two years

December 20, 2010

Firehouse Subs has blazed a path for its new Turkey Bacon Ranch sandwich, the first menu addition for the chain in nearly two years.

2011 U.K. foodservice trends predicted

December 20, 2010

The United Kingdom has welcomed many American brands to its soil. Chains such as KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, Chipotle, Starbucks, Domino’s, Papa John’s and…

Illinois Jimmy John's investigated for salmonella

December 19, 2010

Jimmy John's restaurants in nine Illinois counties are being investigated for salmonella contamination. According to a story in The Examiner, the contamination…

Second Tom & Eddie's restaurant opens in Chicago

December 19, 2010

The owners of Tom & Eddie's have opened a second location in Geneva, Ill., west of Chicago.

Corner Bakery to double Texas presence

December 19, 2010

Corner Bakery Café has announced its plan for substantial new growth in its home state of Texas, with new and existing franchise partners slated to bring more…

Foraging – Desperate Times

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Lilly looked around from her vantage point of the red flowered pillow and wondered what there was to eat. "Hey Teddy," she said in a sleepy voice, "what do we…

Muscle Maker Grill brings a slice of Jersey to the Sunshine State

December 16, 2010

Muscle Maker Grill is expanding its reach to the West by securing a multi-unit franchise deal to develop five restaurants in the East Bay Area of California.

Food cost control – Playing the G.A.M.E.

By Libby Libhart

Robbery turned wrestling match

The headline in the local newspaper caught my eye, “Pizza shop owner disarms robber,” accompanied by a photo of the grinning business owner with one of his…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill tumbles into Boulder

December 15, 2010

Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced its expansion into the chain’s third Colorado market: Boulder. The 13th Garbanzo location will open…

Boston Market enters final phase of nationwide upgrade

December 15, 2010

As Boston Market enters the final stage in its nationwide rollout of upgrades, the restaurant chain has announced the launch of changes and new menu items in…

The Counter takes Manhattan

December 15, 2010

The Counter Custom Built Burgers will open its first New York City outpost in the heart of Times Square on Dec. 20, 2010. This will be chain’s 26th location in…