Fast-casual wannabes

Casual-dining restaurants and QSRs create fast-casual concepts to meet customer demand.

First Watch settles sexual discrimination suit

November 26, 2006

Bradenton Herald: First Watch Restaurants Inc., the breakfast-lunch restaurant specialty chain, will pay $230,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit…

Raving Brands selects first woman to join senior management

November 26, 2006

ATLANTA — Raving Brands promoted Colleen Lex to vice president of partner development. With the promotion, Lex becomes the first woman to join the senior…

Qdoba's 2006 comps rise 5.9%

November 21, 2006

SAN DIEGO — Qdoba Mexican Grill said system same-store sales increased 4.5 percent for the fourth quarter ended Oct. 1, 2006. For the year, comps were up 5.…

McAlister's Deli franchisee donates tips to Crime Stoppers

November 21, 2006

WCPO: Several months ago, a television anchor made a challenge to everyone to give $100 to Crime Stoppers during a phone-a-thon event. A McAlister's Deli…

Go Roma Italian Kitchen opens first Indiana location

November 21, 2006

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Go Roma Italian Kitchen, owned by Forklift Brands, opened its first Indiana store Nov. 21.   "We are very excited to bring Go Roma, our…

Updated: Chipotle contest receives 17.3 million YouTube views

November 21, 2006

Correction: This story originally stated Chipotle received 173 million views on YouTube. Chipotle actually received 17.3 million views.   Chipotle Mexican…

Taco Del Mar rolls out platters

November 21, 2006

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar is introducing $5.99 made-to-order platters. Among them:   Enchilada/Taco: One enchilada topped with sauce and cheese, plus one soft…

Focus Brands buys Schlotzsky's

November 20, 2006

Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, announced it acquired Schlotzsky's for an undisclosed amount Nov. 20.   The sandwich chain has…

Earth Alive Resources introduces all-natural RapidAll cleaner

November 20, 2006

WATERLOO, Quebec — Earth Alive Resources is introducing RapidAll, an all-in-one janitorial and sanitation cleaner that does not harm humans, animals or the…

Restaurant gift card sales poised to exceed $18 billion

November 20, 2006

NEEDHAM, Mass. — With the holidays fast approaching, 'tis the season for gift cards. This relatively new segment of the U.S. payments industry continues to…

Quiznos to face several major franchisee lawsuits

November 20, 2006

The Toasted Subs Association, made up of Quiznos franchisees, will be suing its franchisor in district courts across the country, the association's president…

Wood Stone intros gas-fired oven dedicated to Naples-style pizza

November 19, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Wood Stone has introduced a new gas-fired oven dedicated to production of Naples-style Pizza.   According to a news release, the new oven…

Trials and tribulations of a fast-casual independent operator

How one woman handles adversity and keeps her restaurant growing.

Small business owners can't find quick cash, survey says

November 19, 2006

ATLANTA — A new survey shows small business owners are unsure where to turn for fast access to capital. This leads many owners, restaurateurs included, to file…

Saladworks creates franchisee intranet site

November 19, 2006

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Saladworks Inc. introduced MySaladworks.com, an internal Web site to increase communications with franchisees.    According to a news…

Samurai Sam's opens in El Salvador

November 19, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill opened two franchised locations in the capital city of San Salvador.   Samurai Sam's is a fast-casual Asian…

Offerdahl's Café Grill selects RTIconnect back-office system

November 19, 2006

ATLANTA — Offerdahl's Café Grill, a fast-casual restaurant, has selected RTI (Restaurant Technology Inc.), a leading provider of Web-based restaurant…

PAR acquires SIVA Corp.

November 19, 2006

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corporation announced it acquired SIVA Corporation for $6.6 million.    SIVA Corporation provides software solutions built…

Sara Lee Foodservice introduces three new cheesecakes

November 16, 2006

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee Foodservice introduced three new cheesecakes, including Swiss Double Chocolate, California and an Extra Tall plain New York…