Starbucks looks for 25% lease reductions at stores

May 28, 2009

Bloomberg News: Starbucks Corp. is pushing some U.S. landlords to reduce their lease rates by as much as 25 percent, taking advantage of a declining real…

Restaurant Performance Index hits highest level in nearly a year

May 28, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry grew more optimistic in April, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Charley's Grilled Subs brings back Chipotle Chicken sandwich

May 28, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Charley's Grilled Subs has re-introduced its Chipotle Chicken sandwich for a limited time, the company has announced.   The sandwich, which…

Einstein Noah finalizes stock redemption schedule

May 28, 2009

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has announced the finalization of the redemption schedule for its $57 million in Series Z Preferred stock held…

Bruegger's launches summer menu items

May 28, 2009

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's has announced it is serving up new menu items — including two iced coffee drinks — and bringing back an old favorite. To beat the…

Freshii to open 20 units throughout Colo., Wyo.

May 28, 2009

CHICAGO — Mark Damschroder has signed a master franchise agreement to open 20 Freshii restaurants in Colorado and Wyoming. There are 13 units in Chicago and…

NRA 2009: Transaction processing and PCI compliance

Henry Helgeson, co-CEO and president of Merchant Warehouse, spoke with Fast Casual senior editor Valerie Killifer during the 2009 NRA Show in Chicago. Helgeson…

NRA 2009: Mobile ordering solutions

Juan Marti, CEO of Pogo Corporation, speaks with Fast Casual Sr. editor Valerie Killifer during the 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant…

Larry Destro named Taco Del Mar president

May 27, 2009

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar has announced the appointment of Larry Destro as its new president and CEO. He is based out of Taco Del Mar's corporate office in…

EVOS to open Miami locations

May 27, 2009

MIAMI — EVOS has announced it has signed a multiunit agreement with Foodies Miami to bring three stores to South Florida by early 2011, with the first set to…

Jamba Juice launches Blackberry Bliss as summertime LTO

May 27, 2009

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Jamba Juice has announced the national rollout of a limited-time only seasonal smoothie, the Blackberry Bliss, and its coinciding summer…

Consumers name Moe's Southwest Grill next 'It' brand

May 27, 2009

Smallbusiness.aol.com: Moe's Southwest Grill, Not Your Average Joe's, Which Wich and El Pollo Loco were just a few of the franchise brands named by consumers…

Beverage report tracks Bruegger's, Atlanta Bread and Cosi offerings

May 27, 2009

DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Restaurant Beverage Trends in the United States 2009" report to their offerings. …

How can restaurant operators leverage online ordering?

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Keith Franklin, national sales manager for OrderUp.com, discusses online ordering and the next generation of consumers.

ASK THE EXPERTS: How will online ordering evolve over the next several years?

May 27, 2009

According to Food Action Group, 87 percent of consumers say they plan to use online ordering more in the future. How will that information impact restaurant…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What are the latest trends in labor scheduling?

May 27, 2009

The use of online labor-management tools is increasing as restaurant operators look to take employee schedules from the cork board to the Internet. These…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What are some architectural design trends in the fast casual space?

May 27, 2009

When consumers experience fast-casual restaurants, they expect good food quickly and a nice ambiance. Keeping on top of the latest design trends is not always…

NRA Show: Yowza!! offers iPhone mobile coupon app

Greg Grunberg, CEO of Yowza!! and star of NBC's Heroes, discusses how consumers and restaurateurs can benefit from the coupon application, which is also…

Sales increase 32% during California Tortilla's Pop Tart Day promo

May 26, 2009

ROCKVILLE, Md. — California Tortilla's annual Pop-Tart Day sales increased 32 percent over the previous six Wednesdays, the company has announced. The…

Rubio's partners with Share our Strength

May 26, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill and Share Our Strength have announced the All-American Moment fundraiser to raise awareness and money in support…