NRA endorses PeopleMatter with strategic partnership

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

February 6, 2011

The National Restaurant Association has entered into a strategic partnership with talent-management solution provider PeopleMatter to bring automated human…

Which Wich expands sandwich sizes

February 6, 2011

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches has added two larger sandwich sizes — 10.5 inches and a 14-inch Superwich — to complement the classic 7-inch item. In addition…

Tropical Smoothie Café to offer two tickets to paradise

February 6, 2011

Tropical Smoothie Cafe? customers will have the opportunity to escape the cold during the its Summertime Somewhere promotion. Running Feb. 7 through May 1…

Rick Bayless opens Tortas Frontera at Chicago O’Hare

February 6, 2011

Building on the popularity of Xoco and Frontera Grill, chef-restaurateur Rick Bayless has partnered with HMSHost Corporation to bring Tortas Frontera by Rick…

Panda Express on expansion fast track

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The Asian restaurant chain plans to grow 70 percent throughout the next five years.

Troy Aikman joins Wingstop board

February 3, 2011

Roark Capital Group announced that Troy Aikman has joined the Wingstop board of directors. He has been the company’s national spokesman since 2003. 

Quiznos maps India expansion route

February 3, 2011

Quiznos has signed a master franchise agreement that will enable the opening of its first location in India. The agreement was signed as part of the company’s…

Fast casual restaurants engage in dietitian-hiring trend

R&D teams are getting a nutritional boost through the hiring of certified nutritionists and dietitians.

Health & fitness guru to promote Rumbi Island Grill

February 2, 2011

Rumbi Island Grill has signed an agreement with fitness spokesperson Kathleen Tesori to promote the healthy benefits of Rumbi Island Grill's menu offerings.

Wingstop heads to Southern Florida

February 2, 2011

Due to the popularity of its stores in the South Florida area, Wingstop has launched an expansion campaign designed to add 20 additional locations throughout…

America’s Next Great Restaurant to focus on fast casual

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 1, 2011

NBC will debut a new show March 6 called “America’s Next Great Restaurant,” that will put Steve Ells, Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone and Lorena Garcia in the…

Panera Bread adds three new menu items

February 1, 2011

Panera Bread has expanded its menu through the offerings of three new items: the Thai Chopped Chicken Salad, Low Fat Wild Berry Smoothie and Breakfast Power…

Will Google Offers help or hurt restaurant sales?

Some experts are apprehensive about the new program’s fit for restaurants and believe the concept may even lower a brand's value.  

Beautiful Brands launches FreshBerry Life social strategy

January 31, 2011

Beautiful Brands International has launched a new FreshBerry Life TV website at www.freshberrylife.com. The site is part of BBI’s wider strategy to connect…

Togo’s promotes Susan Koch to VP, Finance

January 31, 2011

Togo’s Sandwiches has named Susan Koch its vice president of finance. Koch has been with Togo’s since August 1997 in various capacities and her preceding title…

2011 provides optimism for restaurant industry

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Trends will surround healthy, sustainable, local, social and technological components.  

Court rules Starbucks can take back coffee distributorship

January 30, 2011

U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel has ruled in favor of Seattle-based coffee chain Starbucks, saying the company can't be stopped from ending its estimated…

Restaurant operators expect economic conditions to improve

January 30, 2011

According to the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI), restaurant operators have become a bit bullish about the direction of…

Squisito's dives into franchising

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

After more than 12 years, the concept is ready to spread throughout the East Coast.  

Mintel: A quarter of Americans will spend less dining out in '11

January 27, 2011

A study conducted by foodservice research company Mintel shows that consumers may not be fully out of the proverbial woods from the Great Recession.