Panera loses lawsuit to Qdoba over lease issue

November 14, 2006

A Massachusetts Panera Bread lost a suit to Qdoba Mexican Grill. The victory allows Qdoba to move into the same shopping mall as Panera.   For this store…

Fast Casual magazine selects Panera Bread as its brand of the year

November 14, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual magazine announced Panera Bread has been selected No. 1 for the magazine's annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers' list.   Panera…

Panera buys 51% of Paradise Bakery for $21.1MM

November 13, 2006

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread has agreed to buy 51 percent of the outstanding stock in Paradise Bakery & Café Inc., a Southwest region…

Einstein Bagels unveils holiday menu items

November 13, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels is introducing holiday season menu items.    According to a news release, the new foods include a candy cane bagel and…

Corner Bakery Café hires three new VPs

November 9, 2006

DALLAS — Corner Bakery Café has hired three new executives to help the 90-unit chain achieve its aggressive growth plans.   According to a news release, Ted…

Forklift Brands opens first Boudin SF in the OC

November 8, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO — Forklift Brands has announced that the company's newest venture, bakery café Boudin SF, will open its debut location in Orange County's…

Panera Bread celebrates its 1,000th bakery café

The rest of the industry is chasing us, said Panera's CEO.

Panera Bread to open its 1,000th store

November 6, 2006

Panera Bread Company will open its 1,000th Panera Bread bakery-cafe today. Panera executives, franchisees and media will attend an opening celebration in Oak…

Panera Bread deploys NCR POS units in 100 locations

November 2, 2006

ATLANTA — NCR Corp. announced Panera Bread Co. has certified NCR as a POS hardware provider for Panera Bread bakery-cafes.   According to a news release…

Oct. comps rise 3.2% at Panera Bread Co.

November 2, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 3.2 percent (made up of a 2.9 percent increase at company-owned units…

Hot sauce and spicy menus attract scores of customers

Is your operation taking advantage of the "hot foods" trend?

Fast-casual franchising: Is your chain ready?

You don't want to franchise too quickly.  Most experts say to wait at least five years before announcing franchising plans.    

Einstein Bros. aids fight against breast cancer

October 18, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels, one of the brands under New World Restaurant Group, is continuing its partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer…

Panera Bread partners with Take Back Your Time Day

October 16, 2006

SEATTLE — Panera Bread is joining the efforts of Take Back Your Time Day, an event where people are supposed to take a break and enjoy their relationships. …

Bruegger's reports solid Q3

October 16, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. reported its strongest third quarter in recent years.   The fast-casual bakery café reported comp increases of…

Bruegger's adds apple bagel, pumpkin-spiced coffees for autumn

October 15, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's is adding limited-time-only menu items that complement the fall season.   The additions include apple bagels, Green Mountain…

Bruegger's to serve Kettle chips

October 10, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Classic Foods Inc. announced that Bruegger's will offer the Kettle Classics line of chips.   "Bruegger's is the perfect place to relax…

Panera Bread to buy 13 franchise stores for $15.3M

October 10, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread will spend $15.3 million to buy 13 franchised bakery-cafés and the area development rights for certain markets in Iowa, Nebraska and…

Sept. comps rise 5.9% at Panera Bread

October 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 5.9 percent for the four weeks ended Sept. 26, 2006. According to a…

Atlanta Bread Co. sued for discrimination

October 2, 2006

Florida Today: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Oct. 2 it filed employment discrimination suits against three franchise companies…