Real estate redo

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Economic troubles send franchisees and landlords back to the bargaining table.

Organic To Go opens at San Diego International Airport

March 17, 2009

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has announced the opening of its first grab & go franchise location within San Diego International Airport (SDI). The new, fully…

Genghis Grill opens four locations

March 17, 2009

DALLAS — Mongolian barbecue concept Genghis Grill has announced the recent openings of locations in the Texas towns of Clearlake, Killeen/Harker Heights…

UFood Grill opens at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

March 17, 2009

DALLAS — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the opening of its first location at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal B. The location…

Dickey's Barbecue Pit to launch customer satisfaction program

March 17, 2009

DALLAS — Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants Inc., parent company of the Dickey's Barbecue Pit, has announced the debut of a nationwide customer satisfaction…

Spicy Pickle's Bread Garden Urban cafés set for expansion

March 17, 2009

DENVER — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has released an update on the current business activity of its Vancouver, B.C.-based Bread Garden Urban Café chain. …

Cosi reports net loss of $8 million

March 17, 2009

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. has reported a same-store sales decrease of 6.2 percent for the company's fourth quarter ended Dec. 29, 2008.   Revenues for the…

NEXTEP continues 100 percent annual growth

March 17, 2009

TROY, Mich. — NEXTEP Systems, a developer of intuitive touch-screen ordering, digital menu boards and online ordering solutions for the foodservice industry…

What comes to mind when you think of chain restaurants?

The National Retail Federation and Shop.org have joined with ExpoTV in part to learn more about what moves people to buy from one retailer over another. Most…

Planet Smoothie extends SeaWorld Aquatica partnership

March 16, 2009

ATLANTA — Planet Smoothie has announced its second annual partnership with Aquatica, SeaWorld's one-of-a-kind waterpark.   The highlight of this year's…

Fast casuals top Greenopia's eco-ratings for restaurants

March 16, 2009

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Greenopia has announced that it has released the Green Industry's most comprehensive ratings for restaurants. Available on the…

Rubio's to announce Q4, year-end results

March 16, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. will host a conference call March 23, 2009, at 2 p.m. Pacific time to discuss fourth quarter and full year 200…

Value replacing green as corporate priority

March 16, 2009

The Wall Street Journal: As the financial crisis continues, value is overtaking environmental concerns as the best way for companies to demonstrate a sense of…

Pollo Campero to offer free chicken sandwiches

March 16, 2009

DALLAS — Pollo Campero will give away free fried and grilled chicken sandwiches April 2 to celebrate the introduction of its new sandwich line.   Free…

London eatery: Restaurant of the future?

March 16, 2009

CNET: London's Inamo restaurant lets customers summon a waiter, order menu items and even hail a taxi all from an interactive mouse-enabled touchscreen. Every…

Restaurants look to play a new song

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

As dining options increase, yesterday's music model is undergoing a revolution of sight and sound.

Oregon proposes menu labeling legislation

March 15, 2009

Statesman Journal (Ore.): Oregon lawmakers have introduced a House bill that would require chain restaurants to post the calorie content of regular items on…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What types of precooked meats are useful for fast casual, QSR operators?

March 15, 2009

Fast casual and quick-service restaurant menus cover everything from burgers and sandwiches to pasta and subs. Precooked meats fit into a variety of menu…

McAlister's unveils 2009 initiatives

March 15, 2009

RIDGELAND, Miss. — McAlister's Deli is debuting a number of innovative additions for 2009 while celebrating its 20th year of operation.   The most recognizable…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What are the overall benefits of using precooked meats?

March 15, 2009

Pre-cooked meat products help to ensure that menu items are prepared the same each and every time, an important aspect of quality control and customer…