Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill forms growth partnership with Gemini Investors

February 8, 2012

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced a partnership with Wellesley, Mass.-based private equity firm Gemini Investors to grow the chain.

Beautiful Brands adds create-your-own sushi concept to portfolio

February 8, 2012

Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has announced the official franchise launch of its new fast casual concept, Sushi Freak. The create-your-own sushi concept…

NPD: Fast Casual only growth segment during down economy

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

According to The NPD Group, fast casual is the only restaurant segment continuing to grow throughout the current economic time, which has motivated chains in…

Fazoli's sets January sales record

February 7, 2012

Fazoli’s is off to a running start in 2012 with record same-store sales growth in January.

Commentary: Two McDonald's greats-listen and learn

By Erle Dardick

Qdoba wants guests to share the love

February 6, 2012

Qdoba Mexican Grill is encouraging its guests to share the love again this Feb. 14 with the return of its popular BOGO for a Kiss Valentine’s Day promotion.

Panera Bread reaches 1,500-store milestone with Manhattan opening

February 6, 2012

Panera Bread has announced the opening of its 1,500th bakery-cafe and its first in Manhattan at Seventh Avenue and 29th Street.

I Love Velvet intros restaurant solution

February 6, 2012

I Love Velvet, a hardware and software provider for the point of sale, announced its first product for the hospitality industry in the U.S. The first…

Make the final word your best

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Each and every day, your restaurant team serves scores of customers. Your desire is to have every guest experience the very best of your brand, from the time…

Firehouse Subs restructures marketing team

February 5, 2012

Firehouse Subs has announced the promotions of several key marketing members, as well as additional talent following comparable sales increases since late…

Former Einstein Noah CMO heads to Sonic

February 5, 2012

James O'Reilly, who recently stepped down from his position as chief concept officer at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, has been namedsenior vice president and…

Starbucks, Ai Ni Group partner on joint China coffee venture

February 5, 2012

As part of its ongoing efforts to help elevate the coffee industry in China’s Yunnan Province, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced that it has signed an…

Buffalo Wild Wings taps eSite for business intelligence solution

February 5, 2012

Business intelligence firm eSite has partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to help the restaurant chain expand beyond 1,000 locations by 2013.

Chipotle to open second ShopHouse, additional international locations

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Company discusses new HR software program that provides enhanced analytics to target potential new employees.

Einstein Noah marketing & brand leader to leave post

February 2, 2012

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, operating under the Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel brands, has announced that James P.

Baja Fresh returns to Windy City

February 1, 2012

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced the grand opening of its newest location in Niles, Ill. The 2,100-square-foot Baja Fresh is owned and operated by…

New Boloco lineup reflects flavors of India

February 1, 2012

The globally inspired menu at Boloco is giving consumers an inside look at the flavors of India with the launch of three new menu items: The Simple Curry and…

YO!Sushi to open U.S. locations

February 1, 2012

London-based YO!Sushi signed its first U.S. franchisee in 2011 and plans to open its first two American locations this year in Washington, D.C., with leases…

Asian Box to debut in San Francisco

February 1, 2012

San Francisco-based FK Restaurants & Hospitality will debut its fast casual Asian Box concept in Palo Alto, Calif., this month. The restaurant, inspired by…

The Secret Decoder Ring and Loss Prevention

Over the holidays I watched “A Christmas Story” for the gazillionth time. One of the scenes in the movie is Ralphie getting his secret decoder ring to unlock…