The Counter 2006 sales surpass $3.3MM

January 7, 2007

LOS ANGELES — The Counter, a fast-casual burger concept, said 2006 systemwide sales surpassed $3.3 million. The company projects 2007 sales will surpass $1…

Fast-casual barbecue is heating up

January 2, 2007

The Associated Press: Fast-casual barbecue might be a segment on the upswing. Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a Chicago food service industry research and…

CKE repurchases 2 million shares

January 1, 2007

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. has repurchased two million shares of its common stock from its largest shareholder, Pirate Capital LLC, for $37.…

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

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

Shane's Rib Shack signs 126 agreements

December 20, 2006

ATLANTA — Raving Brands' Shane's Rib has signed 126 franchise agreements. The franchisee operators include:  Bada Bing Barbecue, LLC – multiple units in…

Carrols might have the hottest restaurant stock

December 18, 2006

The Motley Fool: Since Carrols Restaurant Group's initial public offering hit the market, and the stock price increased $2.20 to $15.20, the company has…

Culver's switches to zero grams trans-fat cooking oil

December 4, 2006

PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Culver Franchising System, which operates more than 345 Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurger restaurants, announced will complete a…

McDonald's attempts to patent its sandwich apparatus

November 28, 2006

FOX News: McDonald's has submitted patent applications in the United States and Europe for the "method and apparatus for making a sandwich."   The restaurant…

Wendy's completes Baja Fresh sale

November 27, 2006

Wendy's International Inc. announced the completion of the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill sale for approximately $31 million.   Four years ago it paid $275 million…

McDonald's declined to settle "hot coffee" suit for $225,000

November 12, 2006

Miami Herald: The plaintiff in the infamous 1994 McDonald's "hot coffee" lawsuit talks about her landmark case. As the trial date approached, the plaintiff…

Wendy's names Anderson as CEO

November 10, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Wendy's International Inc. has named Kerrii Anderson chief executive officer and president of the company.    Anderson, 49, was interim CEO…

Hot sauce and spicy menus attract scores of customers

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

New York Burger Co. set for franchising

October 26, 2006

NEW YORK — New York Burger Co., an all-natural QSR with two stores, has announced franchising plans.   According to a news release, Michael Seid of MSA and…

Buffalo Wild Wings is on fire

From sales to marketing to product quality, everything seems to be clicking for Buffalo Wild Wings. But how long will this momentum last?

Omaha Beef fears hamburger patties contain E. coli

October 24, 2006

Boston Globe: A Danbury firm is recalling about 1,680 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, state consumer officials and the…

Buffalo Wild Wings comps up 11.8% for Q3

October 24, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. reported a stellar third quarter ended Sept. 24, 2006. Same-store sales increased 11.8 percent at company-owned…

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.    

McDonald's gets a facelift

October 22, 2006

ABC News: No matter where you grew up, the McDonald's across the street looked a lot like the McDonald's across the country. That familiarity made the…

Chipotle free from McDonald's rule

October 12, 2006

McDonald's has fully divested its shares in 500-unit Chipotle Mexican Grill, a company it bought in 1998 when it was 15 units strong.   McDonald's grew to…

Wendy's to sell Baja Fresh for $31M

October 11, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio— Wendy's International Inc. announced a definitive agreement to sell the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain to a West Coast restaurant…