Pick Up Stix appoints new president

November 19, 2008

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Asian fast casual chain Pick Up Stix has named Robert Rodriguez president and chief operating officer, the company announced. …

Recession affects consumer recall of 2008 product launches

November 19, 2008

CHICAGO — Advertisers and brand managers have new challenges to face as Americans are less aware of new product launches than ever before. That's the key…

Qdoba parent reports 2008 earnings dip

November 18, 2008

SAN DIEGO — Jack in the Box Inc., the parent company of Qdoba Mexican Grill, has announced that net earnings for the fourth quarter ended Sept. 28 were up…

Mr. Pita enters Charlotte, N.C., market

November 18, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Mr. Pita has opened its first restaurant in North Carolina, the company announced.    The 2,200 square-foot unit is located at 752…

Submarina names two to executive posts

November 18, 2008

SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Submarina California Subs has hired Kirk Thompson as executive vice president of area development and Vicki Finley as the company's…

Finagle Bakery Café rolls out new prototype

November 18, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — In an effort to broaden its customer base and fuel sales growth, Boston-based Finagle A Bagel has repositioned its brand and launched a new…

Pinkberry announces Northern California expansion

November 18, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Frozen yogurt concept Pinkberry plans to expand throughout Northern California beginning with the opening of a new store in San Jose next month…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What first small steps can operators take toward sustainability?

November 18, 2008

As consumer demand grows for sustainable products, restaurant operators are looking to implement sustainable practices but may be unsure where to start. Fast…

Culver's Restaurants: Fitting into fast casual

Culver's first opened in 1984 with a made-to-order menu that focuses on quality. While the drive-thru is an important component of its model, the brand meets…

Mobile Dialog releases mobile marketing solutions

November 17, 2008

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Mobile Dialog has announced its self-service mobile marketing coupon solution and promotion tool for restaurant owners. The mobile coupon…

Organic Trade Association ramps up marketing

November 17, 2008

GREENFIELD, Mass. — The 1,700-member Organic Trade Association (OTA) is launching an extraordinary consumer marketing and public relations campaign that will…

Sandella's to open 4 units in Michigan

November 17, 2008

WEST REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread Café has signed a contract with J & K Industries to introduce the concept to the Southeast Michigan area, the…

Quiznos launches Prime Rib LTO

November 17, 2008

DENVER -- Toasted sandwich chain Quiznos has introduced a limited-time prime rib sandwich featuring a portion and a half of slow roasted prime rib, sliced thin…

Jamba records loss for Q3

November 17, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Comparable-store sales at Jamba Inc. restaurants fell 10.3 percent in the third quarter ended Oct. 7, the company announced. Jamba had…

Fast casuals find cash in compost

Recycling organic material helps operators reduce waste-hauling costs.

Report outlines food safety breakdown in salmonella outbreak

November 16, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Produce Safety Project (PSP) has released a report that outlines how weaknesses in food safety policy, organization and communications…

National menu labeling may be gaining steam

November 16, 2008

Reuters: As more communities adopt menu labeling legislation, a nationwide system requiring quick-serve chains to list calories on their menus could be gaining…

Gift cards qualify as deposits, FDIC says

November 16, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the entity that guarantees bank deposits, has issued an opinion stating that funds on gift cards and…

Beautiful Brands partners with donut concept

November 16, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International, the developer of Camille's Sidewalk Café, Coney Beach and FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe, has signed a deal with…

Berry Chill debuts Thanksgiving-themed yogurt dish

November 16, 2008

CHICAGO — In honor of Thanksgiving, yogurt shop Berry Chill has created the Berry Gobbler, which features five ounces of Pumpkin Spice yogurt topped with pie…