2008 Fast Casual Summit: Specialty coffee

Mitch Eastman of Fetco Coffee Equipment discusses specialty coffee with Fast Casual magazine publisher Paul Barron.

2008 Fast Casual Summit: Custom business solutions

Paul Barron talks with Charlie Jeffers of Custom Business Solutions about the company's enterprise solutions.

Starbucks to intro new breakfast sandwiches

September 23, 2008

BusinessWeek: Starbucks plans to introduce new warm breakfast sandwiches begining next week, the company said. The new sandwiches, called Piadini, will feature…

SCA donates paper products for hurricane relief

September 23, 2008

NEENAH, Wis. — SCA Tissue North America, a manufacturer of away-from-home tissue products, is donating 34,560 rolls of paper towels to Feeding America to help…

Denny's tests fast casual concept

September 23, 2008

Franchise Update: Denny's has developed a fast casual concept as part of its strategy to reinvigorate the chain. The company is testing three Fresh Express…

2008 Fast Casual Summit: Blueberry Council

Fast Casual magazine publisher Paul Barron talks with Stan Crafton of the Blueberry Council

Five Guys heads to Michigan

September 22, 2008

LIVONIA, Mich. — Fast casual burger restaurant Five Guys Burgers and Fries is expanding to Michigan, with three locations slated to open within the next few…

Raising Cane's to move staff to Dallas

September 22, 2008

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is moving the bulk of its administrative functions from Baton Rouge, La., to Dallas, the company…

Smashburger appoints Ryan McMonagle as CFO

September 22, 2008

DENVER — Fast casual burger concept Smashburger has appointed Ryan McMonagle as chief financial officer, the company announced. McMonagle was formerly vice…

Starbucks opens first Portugal store

September 22, 2008

SEATTLE & LISBON, Portugal — Starbucks Coffee International and partner Grupo VIPS will open its first coffeehouse in Portugal on Sept. 30 at Alegro Mall…

Fast casual board gets cooking at CEO Summit

Attendee, sponsor growth spark talk of regional meetings

Chipotle looks for new ad agency

September 21, 2008

AdWeek: Chipotle Mexican Grill is searching for a new ad agency after its split with Denver-based DeVito/Verdi. Chipotle CEO Steve Ells said the company was…

Zebu Forno launches happy hour menu

September 21, 2008

RED BANK, N.J. — Zebu Forno, a European-style bakery/café, has introduced a specially priced Happy Hour menu, the company has announced. The menu is designed…

Yogen Fruz to enter Aloha state

September 21, 2008

MARKHAM, Ontario — Yogen Früz has announced that is has signed a development agreement that will allow TRMOP LLC, a Honolulu-based master franchisee, to…

Elevation Burger lands in new markets

September 18, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elevation Burger locations are slated to open in three new markets, the company has announced.   Franchisee Danny Bone plans to open…

China Starbucks pull milk

September 18, 2008

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks stores in China have stopped serving milk from a particular supplier due to the threat of contamination. Several infants…

NRA, Gerson Lehrman Group partner for food safety conference

September 18, 2008

NEW YORK — Gerson Lehrman Group and the National Restaurant Association have announced a new alliance designed to strengthen the access to food safety and…

2008 Fast Casual Summit: Louis Basile & Linda Duke

Fast Casual publisher Paul Barron talks with Louis Basile, founder of Wildflower Bread Co. and president of the Fast Casual Executive Alliance, and Linda Duke…

Tropical Smoothie launches bistro sandwich menu

September 17, 2008

DESTIN, Fla. — Tropical Smoothie Café has created a new line of bistro sandwiches that will be available at all 275 café locations.   The sandwich menu…

California Tortilla to celebrate 13 years

September 17, 2008

ROCKVILLE, Md. — California Tortilla is celebrating its 13th birthday Sept. 24, with an open-to-the-public party in all of its stores.   The first 50 customers…