Owners of Genghis Grill acquire Baker Bros. American Deli

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The Chalak Group Inc. has officially acquired 11-unit, Dallas-based Baker Bros American Deli. The Chalak Group also owns and operates 80-unit Genghis Grill, a…

Schlotzsky's marks Philly entrance with 30-unit deal

November 15, 2011

Schlotzsky’s has announced that it has signed a history-making franchise deal to bring 30 new restaurants to the Philadelphia metro area that would also house…

Wingstop to grow by 120 units in Mexico

November 15, 2011

Based on the success of its stores in Mexico City, Wingstop has announced that the company will add 120 restaurants across Mexico over the next seven years as…

Hot Head Burritos to open 30 units in Ohio

November 15, 2011

Kettering, Ohio-based Hot Heads Burritos has signed a 30-unit deal that will double its presence in the state over the next several years.

The Melt expands with three new locations

November 14, 2011

Grilled cheese concept The Melt has announced its West Coast expansion with the opening of individual locations in San Francisco's Embarcadero Center, Spear…

Dallas-based Greenz inks second franchise deal

November 14, 2011

Greenz Franchise Systems has announced an agreement with Daniel Lee, marking the second franchise location for the company. Larry Koehler of 7K Development…

LivingSocial tests instant ordering and delivery features for restaurants

November 14, 2011

LivingSocial has launched a test of new food ordering and delivery features as part of its LivingSocial Instant service. Starting today, LivingSocial members…

UFood tests Naan flatbread sandwiches

November 14, 2011

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced it is testing a line of four new Naan flatbread sandwich menu items. UFood is simultaneously conducting customer…

Cosi Inc.'s net loss widens

November 14, 2011

Cosi, Inc. has reported a net loss for the third quarter ended September 26, 2011, of $1.49 million, compared with a net loss of $1 million for the 2010 third…

Genghis Grill, PeopleAnswers partner for pre-employment screening

November 10, 2011

PeopleAnswers and Genghis Grill Franchise Concepts LP have announced a software licensing agreement that will allow the restaurant chain to use the…

Highlights from the Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

For three days in the later part of October, more than 200 fast casual executives and suppliers came together to discuss issues impacting the segment and the…

Starbucks, health and wellness

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal posted a story indicating economists look toward Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts for insight on consumer spending. The story…

Tossed signs 20-unit franchise deal for metro NYC

November 9, 2011

Tossed has announced the signing of a 20-store franchise development agreement with Bolla Corporation, a New York-based real estate and franchise company, that…

Robeks rolls out smoothie bowls

November 9, 2011

Robeks stores across the country are launching a new product that combines both frozen and yogurt. Smoothie Bowls are now available at Robeks stores across the…

Starbucks acquires Evolution Fresh

November 9, 2011

As part of its commitment to evolve and enhance the customer experience with innovative and wholesome products, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced the…

Zoup! to roll out NEXTEP's Foundation5 platform

November 8, 2011

NEXTEP SYSTEMS, a foodservice technology company, has announced that Zoup! Fresh Soup Company has selected the NEXTEP Foundation5 platform for enterprise…

Fast Casual Executive Summit : The NRA's Sue Hensley

Sue Hensley of the National Restaurant Association gives 2011 Fast Casual Executive Summit attendees an inside glimpse at the legislation shaping the industry.

Fast Casual Executive Summit: CEO Roundtable Part 2

In this session from the 2011 Fast Casual Executive Summit, attendees heard from operators large and small about the ways they are growing sales, integrating…

Fast Casual Executive Summit: CEO Roundtable Part 1

In this session from the 2011 Fast Casual Executive Summit, attendees heard from operators large and small about the ways they are growing sales, integrating…

Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes launches take-home dishes

November 7, 2011

Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes will release 15 holiday take-home items – the largest retail release in the company’s history – to help customers nationwide…