Bruegger's reports strong 4Q, FY 2006 growth

February 4, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. reported fourth-quarter comparable-store sales grew 6.4 percent at company locations and 5.1 percent…

Corner Bakery launches winter stews

February 4, 2007

DALLAS — Corner Bakery Café has launched two seasonal winter stews, Old Fashioned Beef Stew and Chicken Wild Mushroom Brie Stew.   The stews are…

Panera comps up slightly

January 30, 2007

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Panera Bread Co. announced that sales at the company's bakery-cafes open at least 18 months increased 0.8 percent for the four-week period…

Cosi signs Middle East expansion deal

January 23, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. has signed a deal with United Arab Emirates-based Al Tayer Group to develop Cosi restaurants in Middle Eastern markets. Under its…

Panera marks trans-fat-free anniversary

January 22, 2007

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — February marks the one-year anniversary of Panera Bread's voluntary removal of trans fat from its bakery-cafe menu on a national…

New World moves corporate headquarters

January 22, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc. announced Jan. 23 that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Lakewood, Colo.   The move will take…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

Panera Q4 comps up 2%

January 7, 2007

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Panera Bread reported a positive fourth quarter ended Dec. 26.   According to its filing, Panera's comps increased 2 percent…

Panera Bread Q4 comps up 2%

January 3, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported revenue increased 25 percent to $233 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 26, 2006, up from $186 million in the…

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

ARAMARK unveils new bakery café

December 26, 2006

PHILADELPHIA — ARAMARK Corporation recently unveiled a new urban-style bakery concept, Bleecker Street Café, to meet the demand for more fast-casual dining…

New World comps up 3.2%

December 19, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc., franchisor of Einstein Bros., reported a positive third quarter ended Oct. 3, 2006.   The company said…

Panera Nov. comps don't meet analyst expectations

December 5, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported positive system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales for the five weeks ended Nov. 28, 2006.   Company-owned stores…

Panera CEO: There is no such thing as fast casual

The CEO talks about what makes Panera special and why his bakery café should not be lumped into the fast-casual segment.

Au Bon Pain to open 200 units

November 15, 2006

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain said it will add 200 units to the chain through expansion into Kuwait and Thailand.   The company has signed master franchise agreements…