Building brand loyalty

Fast casuals are looking to loyalty programs to boost revenue and increase repeat traffic.

Pizza makers vie for more than $11,000 cash in '07 Pizza Pizzazz

January 21, 2007

Pizza competitors from around the nation will meet in Columbus to wrangle for the industry's top prize.

Raving Brands, Coca-Cola NA sign long-term beverage deal

January 21, 2007

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola North America and Raving Brands have signed a long-term beverage marketing agreement for five Raving Brands concepts – Shane's Rib Shack…

Chipotle to move offices

January 21, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill is moving its Denver headquarters to a soon-to-be-constructed 43,000 square-foot building located in the city's lower downtown…

Bruegger's announces California, South Carolina expansions

January 18, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has signed new agreements with two new franchise groups to develop 15 Bruegger's bakery-cafés over the next…

Chipotle calendar sales to support sustainable agriculture

January 18, 2007

DENVER – Chipotle Mexican Grill has started to sell whimsical calendars in its stores for $5 apiece. The calendars, featuring foil-wrapped burritos in…

Bruegger's launches lunchtime Duos

January 17, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's has announced the launch of its Bruegger's Duos, lunch combinations that allow guests to pair two menu choices for one low price.

NRA commends Senate for tax relief tied to wage increases

January 17, 2007

WASHINGTON D.C. — The National Restaurant Association commended the Senate Finance Committee for penning legislation that includes tax relief for restaurants…

Freebirds to collect for Habitat for Humanity

January 17, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — Freebirds World Burrito, the Texas-based fast casual known for its Monster burritos, announced a four-week fund-raising campaign to…

More disposable income could benefit restaurants

January 17, 2007

Associated Press: A Thursday report showing moderating consumer prices, coupled with falling gas bills, could put more money in consumers' pockets, leading to…

Emerging chains featured in new Technomic Top 100 report

January 16, 2007

CHICAGO — Technomic has issued its 2007 Top 100 Emerging Chain Concept Report, which features 100 up-and-coming operators that exhibit a strong trend toward…

Starbucks switches to hormone-free milk

January 16, 2007

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Coffee Co. said Tuesday that it has stopped using dairy products with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, or rBGH, in…

Cosi shares fall following analyst downgrade

January 16, 2007

Associated Press: Shares of Cosi Inc. declined Wednesday after a Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst cut his rating on the company. The stock has traded in a…

Starbucks to open India location

January 15, 2007

International Herald Tribune (India): Starbucks has plans to open its first location in India by the end of 2007. The Seattle-based coffee company will…

Au Bon Pain plans Japanese expansion

January 15, 2007

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain announced it signed a master franchise agreement with Japan-based REINS International Inc. REINS' portfolio includes restaurants…

Porking up sales

Fast casual certainly isn't hog heaven, but pork consumption is increasing throughout the segment.

Franchisee files $12M suit against Atlanta Bread Company

January 14, 2007

Atlanta Business Journal: A year ago, Sean Lupton-Smith was one of the most successful franchisees of Atlanta Bread Company International Inc. Today…

Chipotle eyes 100-unit expansion

January 14, 2007

Denver Post: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. plans to accelerate its expansion this year, adding 95 to 105 restaurants after it improved training for employees who…

zpizza signs multiunit franchise deal for N.W. California

January 11, 2007

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — zpizza said it signed a multiunit franchise agreement with Linda Su to open three zpizza stores in northwest California. According to…

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show to debut new programs

January 11, 2007

NORWALK , Conn. — The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is slated for March 4-6 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits…