New World Restaurants net $12.1MM loss

May 10, 2006

GOLDON, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group, parent of Einstein Bagel stores, reported a net loss of $12.1 million. The company reported revenue of $97.…

Einstein Bros. serves pink bagels for Mother's Day

May 8, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels is celebrating Mother's Day by joining forces with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise funds for…

Panera April sales up 2.8%

May 7, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co.'s reported an increase of 2.8 percent for system-wide same-store sales for the four weeks ended April 25.   Same-store sales at…

To wine or not to wine

Serving wine may be a venture worth looking into. Several fast casuals are boosting dinner sales with the alcoholic beverage.

Starbucks Q2 profit rises 27%

May 3, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. reported its second-quarter profit rose 27 percent. According to a news release, there was a brisk customer demand for its coffee…

Panera sales skyrocket

April 25, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread surpassed analyst expectations for the first quarter ended March 28, 2006.  The company said system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales…

Analyst believes pizza helped Panera

April 19, 2006

Reuters: In a recent report, Morgan Keegan analyst Bob Derrington wrote that Crispani pizzas sold at Panera Bread Co. make up about 12 percent of the chain's…

Cosi posts strong Q1

April 18, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported that comparable restaurant sales increased 5.3 percent for the first quarter ended April 3. The restaurant said its…

Bear Rock introduces organic bread

April 17, 2006

CARY, N.C. — Bear Rock Café announced the launch of a new organic artisan bread.   "An organic bread was a natural evolution for our brand," said Deneen…

The state of the London coffeehouse

Traditional cafés stave off Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks may have actually helped the once-dying London coffeehouse.

Camille's opens 100th store

April 13, 2006

TULSA, Okla. — Camille's Sidewalk Café will open its 100th café this month on Tulsa's historic and exclusive Cherry Street.   According to a news release…

Organic foods surge through restaurants

April 11, 2006

  NEW YORK — A new study shows the use of organic foods is growing in the foodservice market.   According to "Organic on the Menu: Healthy Eating Trends in…

Caribou Coffee announce preliminary Q1 results

April 10, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee reported preliminary first quarter for period ended April 2. According to a news release, comparable coffeehouse net sales were…

Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

New report tracks menu trends

April 6, 2006

CHICAGO —The latest Trend Tracker report, a companion to the online, searchable Menu Monitor service offered by Technomic Information Services, offers a new…

Panera Bread Q1 revenues increase 35%

April 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported that revenue for the first-quarter ended March 28 increased 35 percent to $194 million from $144 million in the…

Award-winning chef partners with Paradise Bakery

April 3, 2006

PHOENIX —Chef Gregory Casale, a James Beard Award nominee, has joined Paradise Bakery and Café as executive chef.    Chef Gregory Casale, a graduate of The…

Panera Bread changes at the top

April 3, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. said it will replace chief financial officer Mark Hood with Jeff Kip, vice president of finance and planning, effective May 5. …

Raving Brands contributes $2MM to charity

April 2, 2006

Raving Brands partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as the organization's largest single contributor with a $2 million…

Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.