Quiznos new ad campaign touts lower prices

January 12, 2009

DENVER — Quiznos launched a new ad campaign Jan. 11, touting lower prices, including 20 subs that are now under $5.

Starbucks, McDonald's targets of boycotts

January 12, 2009

BNET: Worldwide protests of recent Israeli actions against the Gaza Strip include boycotts, often targeting U.S. food corporations that are perceived to be…

Pollo Tropical comps take a Q4 dip

January 12, 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., the parent company of Carrols Corp., has reported comparable restaurant sales were up 0.5 percent at its Taco…

Fast casual concepts break new ground

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Atlanta Bread, LP Bistro, relaunch brands amid image upgrades.

Nasdaq sends NexCen Brands delisting notice

January 11, 2009

NEW YORK — NexCen Brands Inc. has announced that the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council has withdrawn its call for review and stay of delisting…

London Starbucks attacked by rioters

January 11, 2009

Evening Standard (United Kingdom): An angry mob of pro-Palestinian demonstrators targeted shops and cafés on London's Kensington High Street, looting and…

Einstein Noah to present at investor conferences

January 11, 2009

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has announced that the company will present at two investor conferences.   On Jan. 12, the company will…

Quiznos Teams with HMSHost for India expansion

January 11, 2009

DENVER — Quiznos and HMSHost Corp. have announced an agreement to develop three Quiznos restaurants in India by 2010. The announcement is part of a master…

Burke launches fully cooked Italian-style links

January 8, 2009

NEVADA, Iowa — Burke Corp., an industry provider of fully cooked meat products, has announced the launch of its new fully cooked All Beef Bias-Sliced…

Chipotle to present at Cowen, ICR XChange conferences

January 8, 2009

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has announced that the company will present at two investor conferences next week.   On Jan. 12, the company will present…

NY, Mass. propose menu labeling, target obesity

January 8, 2009

Health concerns continue to be a priority for lawmakers and governmental leaders in 2009.   AHN reports that New York Gov. David Paterson, in his first State…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What is fast casual?

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 8, 2009

For many restaurant-industry operators, the fast casual segment has been difficult to define. Fast casual restaurants offer a dining experience quite…

Organic to Go, Rubio's to present at ICR XChange

January 7, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Officials from Organic To Go and Rubio's Restaurants Inc. will be participating in the upcoming ICR XChange Conference, Jan. 14-15, 2009, at…

Boston Market names Fallon agency of record

January 7, 2009

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market has announced that it has assigned its advertising account to Fallon Minneapolis. The announcement follows an accelerated search…

Coalition launches nutrition campaign

January 7, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information has launched a campaign to pass national legislation that will provide consumers with…

California Tortilla adds to LTO menu

January 7, 2009

ROCKVILLE, Md. — California Tortilla has updated its limited-time-offer menu for the first quarter with two items, a Philly Cheesesteak burrito and a…

Taco Del Mar intros low-cal burrito

January 7, 2009

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar has launched a 320-calorie burrito, available at all Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho Taco Del Mar locations in 2009.   The…

Raising Cane's promotes two

January 7, 2009

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has announced the promotions of Brad Sanders to chief development officer and Ian Vaughn to senior vice…

Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes debuts spicy chili

January 7, 2009

SAN DIEGO — Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes has announced the January introduction of its X-Treme Spice Vegetable Chili with Energy Boost.   The chili combines…

The top fast casual stories for 2008

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 7, 2009

The year 2008 proved to be an interesting one for fast casual operators. Here's a rundown of our top five stories for the year.   1. The economy. While casual…