Sonoma Chicken Coop readies for East Coast expansion

July 30, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Northern Calif.-based fast casual, Sonoma Chicken Coop, has announced that it has closed a multiunit franchise deal in northern New Jersey.

UFood Grill heads into Utah

July 30, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced that its franchise developer in the Rocky Mountain states has signed a lease for a unit in Draper, Utah, a…

Caribou Coffee to host Q2 earnings call

July 30, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. has announced that it will release financial results for its second quarter ended June 29, 2008, after the market…

Starbucks reports Q3 net loss

July 30, 2008

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. has reported financial results for its third quarter ended June 29, 2008, revised its expectations for fiscal year '08 and announced…

Starbucks to cut 1,000 jobs

July 29, 2008

Seattle Times: Starbucks plans to cut 1,000 non-store positions, the company has announced. About 550 people will be laid off at company operations around the…

Technomic: Franchising key to sales growth

July 29, 2008

CHICAGO — A new report from foodservice consultants Technomic found that many top restaurant chains grew their 2007 sales through signing more franchisees…

Camille's expands to two new states

July 29, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — Camille's Sidewalk Café has signed three franchise agreements with immediate expansion plans into Wisconsin and Illinois. New Camille's…

Papa Romano's, Mr. Pita open co-branded unit

July 29, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A new co-branded Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita restaurant — the chains' first — has opened in downtown Detroit. The 1,800 square-foot…

Culver's reaches $1 million in scholarships

July 28, 2008

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. — Culver's restaurants has announced that nearly 200 of its student team members across the country received a bonus this year …

Starbucks closes most Australian stores

July 28, 2008

Sydney Morning Herald: Nearly 700 Starbucks employees will lose their jobs after the company announced the closure of 61 of its 84 Australian stores. The…

CorVirtus names new VP

July 28, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — David Hyatt, president of CorVirtus, has announced that Bobby Baker has been named the international assessment company's…

UFood Grill opens first Chicago location

July 28, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the opening of the first UFood Grill location in the Chicago metropolitan area.   The franchise will be…

Fast Casual gears up for Summit '08

Second annual gathering to spotlight economic woes, branding opportunities.

Planet Smoothie selects 'Call for Inventors' judges panel

July 27, 2008

ATLANTA — Planet Smoothie has announced its panel of judges for their Call for Inventors contest, a call to action to find a solution to recycling or…

Nothing But Noodles to offer happy hour

July 27, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nothing but Noodles participating locations throughout the United States are now offering happy hour discounts on appetizers and…

Calif. governor signs trans-fat ban

July 27, 2008

The New York Times: California became the first state to ban trans fats in restaurants when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill July 25, 2008, to phase…

Panera shares drop after Q2 earnings report

July 27, 2008

Associated Press: Shares of Panera Bread Co. July 23, 2008, fell $2.26, to end at $48.74, after the bakery/cafe operator cautioned investors not to expect…

Einstein Noah to host earnings conference call

July 27, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. will release its 2008 second quarter financial results after market close Aug. 6, 2008, and will follow…

Sandella's expands into Pa.

July 24, 2008

WEST REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread Café has inked a multiunit franchising deal with Oliver and Jessica Kiely to bring two new restaurants to…

Quiznos bread supplier closes shop

July 24, 2008

9News.com: Gerards, a bread supplier to chains such as Quiznos, shut down operations early Thursday, leaving several restaurants in the Denver area without…