Starbucks' volunteer effort gets Oprah boost

January 21, 2009

Advertising Age: Starbucks' campaign to promote volunteerism got recognition Jan. 21 from Oprah Winfrey — and by extension, Barack Obama. The talk-show host…

El Pollo Loco creates position of SVP of strategy, innovation

January 21, 2009

COSTA MESA, Calif. — El Pollo Loco Inc. has announced that it has created a new executive management position, senior vice president of strategy and…

Camille's opens five cafes in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates

January 21, 2009

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International has announced international growth of its brand, Camille's Sidewalk Café, with the opening of five new cafes in…

Taco Del Mar launches 320-calorie burrito ad campaign

January 21, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. — Taco Del Mar has announced its selection of R/West as the burrito chain's new marketing agency.   R/West will provide strategic planning…

Zoup to double franchises in '09

January 20, 2009

Detroit Free Press: Zoup Fresh Soup Co. CEO and co-founder Eric Ersher said the company awarded 29 franchises in 2008 and many are opening this year. That will…

Sandella's to open in N.C.

January 20, 2009

WEST REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread Café has signed a deal slated to bring two units to Cary and Durham, N.C., the first of which is expected to open…

Fresh Ideas to focus on local store marketing

January 20, 2009

NEW ORLEANS -- A 15-year industry veteran with experience in both restaurants and hospitality has formed Fresh Ideas Marketing Group Inc, a specialized…

Survey finds diners still spending, but less

January 20, 2009

Business First of Louisville: A survey by Norcross, Ga.-based hospitality research firm A Closer Look has found that Americans are still heading to restaurants…

Freshii inks deal for 80 Ill. units

January 20, 2009

CHICAGO — David Grossman has signed a master franchise agreement to open 80 Freshii locations throughout Chicago, the company has announced.   There are…

Consumers trade down from Starbucks

January 19, 2009

Advertising Age: A Lightspeed Research study commissioned by Advertising Age examined why consumers were cutting back on upscale coffee.   The survey results…

Chipotle names Butler, Shine, Stern agency of record

January 19, 2009

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill has named San Francisco-based Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP) as its advertising agency of record. Chipotle chose…

Technomic: Diners' entree choices shaped by economy

January 19, 2009

CHICAGO -- Foodservice consultants Technomic has found that the weak economy hasn't just reduced restaurant traffic, it has influenced diners' choices in…

Starbucks to broadcast live inaugural event

January 19, 2009

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle): Starbucks Corp. will show President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration live at select locations in Seattle, New York and…

Fast casual finance

Economic turmoil leaves operators scrambling for ways to raise startup money.

Rubio's to give away free fish tacos

January 18, 2009

KNXV-TV Phoenix: Arizona Cardinals football fans will get a free fish taco at Rubio's restaurants in Arizona because the team won Sunday's NFC Championship.

NRA Show 2009 outlines educational offerings

January 18, 2009

CHICAGO — The 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held May 16-19, 2009, at McCormick Place in Chicago, will feature more than 6…

More communities consider trans fat ban, menu labeling

January 18, 2009

Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.): A number of cities, counties and states across the nation have imposed or explored bans and labels in the name of…

NPD reports U.S. restaurant unit count flat

January 18, 2009

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- According to The NPD Group's fall 2008 ReCount study, the number of restaurants opened in 2008 was balanced out by the number of restaurants…

Baja Fresh opens first restaurant of 2009

January 18, 2009

CYPRESS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced the grand opening of its newest franchise location in downtown San Jose, Calif. The new location…

First franchised FreshBerry location opens

January 15, 2009

HOUSTON — Beautiful Brands International has announced the opening of its first franchised FreshBerry café, located on Vintage Park Boulevard in Houston. …