NY, Mass. propose menu labeling, target obesity

January 8, 2009

Health concerns continue to be a priority for lawmakers and governmental leaders in 2009.   AHN reports that New York Gov. David Paterson, in his first State…

ASK THE EXPERTS: What is fast casual?

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 8, 2009

For many restaurant-industry operators, the fast casual segment has been difficult to define. Fast casual restaurants offer a dining experience quite…

Organic to Go, Rubio's to present at ICR XChange

January 7, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Officials from Organic To Go and Rubio's Restaurants Inc. will be participating in the upcoming ICR XChange Conference, Jan. 14-15, 2009, at…

Boston Market names Fallon agency of record

January 7, 2009

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market has announced that it has assigned its advertising account to Fallon Minneapolis. The announcement follows an accelerated search…

Coalition launches nutrition campaign

January 7, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information has launched a campaign to pass national legislation that will provide consumers with…

California Tortilla adds to LTO menu

January 7, 2009

ROCKVILLE, Md. — California Tortilla has updated its limited-time-offer menu for the first quarter with two items, a Philly Cheesesteak burrito and a…

Taco Del Mar intros low-cal burrito

January 7, 2009

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar has launched a 320-calorie burrito, available at all Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho Taco Del Mar locations in 2009.   The…

Raising Cane's promotes two

January 7, 2009

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has announced the promotions of Brad Sanders to chief development officer and Ian Vaughn to senior vice…

Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes debuts spicy chili

January 7, 2009

SAN DIEGO — Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes has announced the January introduction of its X-Treme Spice Vegetable Chili with Energy Boost.   The chili combines…

The top fast casual stories for 2008

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 7, 2009

The year 2008 proved to be an interesting one for fast casual operators. Here's a rundown of our top five stories for the year.   1. The economy. While casual…

Vapiano receives capital for expansion, hires new CEO

January 6, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fresh casual restaurant and lounge Vapiano has received funding from three European banks for a total of 45 million Euro (U.S. $62.…

King County menu-labeling rule doesn't faze customers

January 6, 2009

The Seattle Times: Calorie-count posting requirements for chain restaurants in King County, Wash., went into affect Jan. 1, but customers seemed to take little…

Largest restaurant-networking Web site marks anniversary

January 6, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO -- FohBoh (Front of the House, Back of the House), the largest online professional business community for the foodservice industry, has announced…

Bacon topping products recalled

January 5, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that Patrick Cudahy, a Cudahy, Wisc.-based firm, is…

Judge says Quiznos not concerned about franchisees

January 5, 2009

BlueMauMau: Federal judge Morris Hoffman issued a ruling in December that said Quiznos seemed more concerned with its competitor Subway than its own…

Cousins hires franchise sales director

January 5, 2009

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Cousins Subs has announced the addition of Mark P. Cairns to its corporate team as the director of franchise sales.   Cairns comes to…

Moe's launches Joey Jr. value meal

January 5, 2009

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill has announced it is now offering the Joey Jr. Bundle with chips, salsa and a drink for $4.99 at participating locations.   The…

Togo's offers $3.99 value deals

January 5, 2009

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Togo's Eateries Inc. has announced the Jan. 7 start of its New Daily Special promotion, which will reduce the price of one featured sandwich…

Chipotle names Moran co-CEO

January 5, 2009

DENVER — Steve Ells, founder and chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., has announced the promotion of Monty Moran to co-CEO, along with the…

Technomic study: Sandwich chains grow despite economy

January 4, 2009

CHICAGO — A number of top limited-service sandwich chains overcame the downhill economy by exhibiting growth, reports foodservice consultancy Technomic. The…