Red Mango opens centennial location

January 17, 2011

Red Mango will salute its 100th store opening with a nationwide celebration featuring the introduction of its decadent Dark Chocolate frozen yogurt and special…

Smashburger to offer Vegas burger nationwide

January 16, 2011

Smashburger is bringing its Sin City Smashburger nationwide as up until now, the burger was found only on Las Vegas restaurant menus.  The Sin City Smashburger…

Zoës Kitchen names new COO

January 16, 2011

Zoës Kitchen has announced the appointment of Kevin Miles to chief operating officer, a new position for the company.

McAlister's Deli returns 5 Under 500

January 16, 2011

McAlister’s Deli is helping its guests stick to their New Year's resolutions by bringing back a popular promotion.

Fast casual menu additions get spicy infusion

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 16, 2011

Fast casual restaurants across all menu categories are rolling out new items focused on spicier flavors, a trend that has been growing for the last 10 years.

Seven operating principles come 2011

By Lori Walderich

Consumers looking for differentiation, value

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 13, 2011

A new study by Chicago-based Technomic shows that even as consumers are expected to loosen their purse strings in 2011, finding a good value from the casual…

Chipotle Mexican Grill to announce Q4 results

January 13, 2011

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will host a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2010 financial results Feb. 10 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. A…

Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. to open Souplantation Express

January 13, 2011

Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. will open its first quick-serve restaurant, Souplantation Express, Jan. 17 in Carlsbad, Calif.

Menus in a crystal ball: Turning trends into action

by Cari Price, Corporate Development Chef, Food IQ

Togo’s Sandwiches names Rand Ferris VP of operations

January 12, 2011

Togo’s Sandwiches, with more than 242 franchised restaurants, has named Rand Ferris vice president of operations. In his new position, Ferris will assume all…

Daphne’s Greek Café undergoes name change, brand overhaul

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 12, 2011

As outlined last year when Daphne’s Greek Café was purchased by Trefethen Advisors LLC, the chain has undergone a complete brand overhaul and will debut a new…

Panera Bread prepares to open third pay-as-you-go

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 11, 2011

A Panera Bread location in Northeast Portland, Ore., was closed Jan. 11 to transition into the company's third pay-as-you-go restaurant. The store will reopen…

Chipotle heats up Chicago with soup

January 11, 2011

The windy city of Chicago will join Chipotle's hometown of Denver as the only other market to offer soup on the menu.

Study: More dining out, smaller checks in 2011

January 11, 2011

Good news first: Americans are expected to dine out more in 2011. Not-so-good news: it's predicted they'll spend about 5 percent less per meal while doing so.

Brinker alum named Denny's CEO

January 10, 2011

Denny’s Corporation has announced the appointment of John C. Miller to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2011. Miller…

Firehouse Subs expands Coke Freestyle rollout

January 10, 2011

Firehouse Subs will become the first chain to conduct a market-wide transition to the Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispenser.

Zaxby's reintros sandwich using famous TV mom

January 9, 2011

Zaxby's has reintroduced its Chicken Parmesan Sandwich Meal and is using the "Everybody Loves Raymond" TV mom Doris Roberts to spread the news. Roberts also…

Wingstop heads south of the border

January 6, 2011

Wingstop is spreading its wings even wider in Mexico through a 20-unit expansion agreement with international franchisee WIS de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Camille's Sidewalk Cafe rolls out flatbread pizzas

January 6, 2011

Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe has announced a systemwide and immediate roll out of its new Artisan Flatbread Pizza.