FOCUS Brands names Gary Bales chief concept officer

January 18, 2011

FOCUS Brands Inc. has announced that Gary Bales has been named chief concept officer in addition to his role as president of Carvel. Bales will now oversee…

Greenz inks first franchise deal

January 18, 2011

Beautiful Brands International has signed an agreement with Larry Koehler and Casie Caldwell of Greenz Salads for the first Greenz Salads franchise. The new…

Starbucks takes mobile payments national

January 18, 2011

Starbucks Corp. has announced the launch of mobile payment in all U.S. company-operated stores. The launch allows customers to pay for in-store purchases with…

bd’s Mongolian Grill returns Fun Fresh Food promo

January 17, 2011

bd’s Mongolian Grill is bringing back its popular Fun Fresh Food promotion now through March 6.

Manhattan Bagel makes New Year menu additions

January 17, 2011

Manhattan Bagel has announced that its popping off the New Year with new pretzel bagel poppers and a new line of breakfast bagel thin sandwiches.

Genghis Grill joint venture brings units to the Southeast

January 17, 2011

Genghis Grill has signed on franchisee group, JNE (Jordan, Nicholas, Elliott) Mongolian LLC, to lead the Tampa, Fla., market and Chris Carroll, an existing…

EXIT41 names Chet Barnard CEO

January 17, 2011

Exit41, a provider of social ordering solutions for the restaurant industry, has announced the appointment of seasoned business executive Chet Barnard as its…

Caribou Coffee expands breakfast platform

January 17, 2011

Just a year after introducing handcrafted oatmeal in stores, Caribou Coffee is rolling out hot breakfast sandwiches in coffeehouses across the country. Caribou…

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…