Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana parent prelim Q3 comps down

October 7, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Carrols Corp., which operates Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana and is the largest Burger…

Starbucks extending barista shifts

October 7, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Starbucks Corp. is revamping employee schedules so that fewer employees will work more hours at its shops, the company announced. The goal…

Organic to Go sales up 72 percent

October 7, 2008

SEATTLE — Sales at Organic To Go are projected to reach $6.4 million for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, the company said in a preliminary sales release.

Caribou Coffee 3Q comps down

October 7, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Comparable store sales at Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. decreased 4.7 percent for the 13 weeks ended Sept. 28, 2008, compared with the same 13 weeks in…

Zagat survey reveals fewer New Yorkers dining out

October 6, 2008

NEW YORK -- Thirty-eight percent of New Yorkers say that one way they are responding to the economic crisis is by eating out less, according to Zagat Survey…

Peet's Coffee & Tea elects new board member

October 6, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. has announced that Ted W. Hall has been elected to its board of directors.    Hall is a general partner of…

Baja Fresh opens Express locations

October 6, 2008

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has opened the first two locations of its newest concept, Baja Fresh Express, the company announced.   The…

Just like Mom's

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

October 6, 2008

Comfort foods capture the hearts and stomachs of consumers.  

The cash in composting

October 6, 2008

Operators can cut down on trash-hauling costs while helping the environment.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

October 6, 2008

Finding success with a high-energy concept.

Q&A with Louis Basile

October 6, 2008

Owner, Wildflower Bread Company, president, Fast Casual Executive Alliance.

Culver's co-founder passes away

October 5, 2008

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. — Ruth Culver, co-founder of the Culver's Restaurants concept, died Oct. 2 at age 84.   Recognized as the heart of the franchise, Culver…

California Tortilla launches double-point Mondays

October 5, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fresh Mex chain California Tortilla is giving customers the chance to double "Burrito Elito" loyalty card points on purchases every Monday…

Starbucks under fire for water usage

October 5, 2008

Herald Sun (Australia): Starbucks is being criticized by environmental groups after a report in a British newspaper alleged the company wasted millions of…

COVER: Acquiring opportunities

October 5, 2008

Deep-pocketed partners can help some concepts live up to their potential

Fast Casual seeks Top 100 nominations

October 2, 2008

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Fast Casual magazine is calling for nominations for its annual Top 100: Movers and Shakers. The ideal nomination will be a brand…

Freshberry expanding to East Coast

October 2, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café has signed a franchise agreement to develop at least two FreshBerry stores in South Carolina. This agreement…

Spicy Pickle acquires Bread Garden Urban Cafes

October 2, 2008

DENVER, Colo. — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has acquired Bread Garden Franchising Inc., the franchisor of the Bread Garden Urban Cafes, a chain of franchised…

Organic To Go opens flagship Seattle location

October 1, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic fast casual chain Organic To Go has opened a flagship café in Seattle, which features an open-market feel and a larger footprint than other…

Captain D's selects Envysion as video provider

October 1, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Captain D's has begun rolling out Louisville, Colo.-based Envysion Inc.'s Managed Video as a Service system in its restaurants.   Envysion…