Endurance, determination & training

by Paul Mcginnis — Vice President, Marketing, Ecolab Food Safety Specialties

It was my junior year in high school. I had always wanted to play basketball but due to a variety of circumstances did not have the chance… until now. I…

Private equity firm takes Noodles & Co. control

December 28, 2010

Broomfield, Colo.-based Noodles & Co. has sold a controlling stake in the chain to private-equity firm Catterton Partners.

Fast Casual predicts top trends for 2011

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

It seems that 2010 brought about a series of buyouts and capital investments for fast casual chains looking to improve their operations for the year. While the…

Local: The ins, the outs and the details

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

We hear the term local tossed around pretty loosely nowadays. While it's popping up on just about everything with a price tag (local business, locally owned…

Uptown Dallas Smashburger opens

December 22, 2010

Smashburger opened its third Dallas location Wednesday in Uptown Plaza on the corner of McKinney Avenue and Pearl Street. This is the third of 10 Dallas area…

2010: Fast Casual year in review

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Healthcare reform, bankruptcy protection and brand overhauls highlight a year full of the quintessential highs and lows.  

Einstein Noah completes multiyear deleveraging

December 21, 2010

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. announced that it has completed a multiyear period of deleveraging its balance sheet and will now re-allocate its available…

Pick Up Stix rings in 2011 with new owner

December 20, 2010

Carlson Restaurant Inc. has sold its 74-unit chain Pick Up Stix to Lorne Goldberg, principal of West Coast Capital.

Firehouse adds first menu addition in two years

December 20, 2010

Firehouse Subs has blazed a path for its new Turkey Bacon Ranch sandwich, the first menu addition for the chain in nearly two years.

Food cost control – Playing the G.A.M.E.

By Libby Libhart

Boston Market enters final phase of nationwide upgrade

December 15, 2010

As Boston Market enters the final stage in its nationwide rollout of upgrades, the restaurant chain has announced the launch of changes and new menu items in…

NRA partners with CMSText for mobile marketing

December 15, 2010

The National Restaurant Association has announced a new partnership with CMSText to bring text message marketing solutions to its 380,000+ member restaurant…

FREEBIRDS gets bigger in Texas

December 14, 2010

FREEBIRDS World Burrito newest restaurant in Baytown, Texas, brings the total number of restaurants systemwide to 43.  Local resident and restaurant veteran…

To buy or to build: A very good question

If you're planning to open a restaurant, the option of buying or building each have their own set of pros and cons. Here's what you should consider.

Food and drink tickets more expensive in 2010

December 13, 2010

Although Americans' wallets may feel thinner because of the recession, consumers are apparently willing to spend almost a dollar more on lunch. New research…

Jamba Juice CEO to discuss hair-raising success

December 13, 2010

Jamba Juice Company and Drybar have announced its CEOs will team up on the Dec. 16 episode of Bloomberg Television's "Bloomberg The Mentor" to discuss how a…

Hipcricket achieves breaking sales with industry campaigns

December 13, 2010

Mobile marketing and advertising firm Hipcricket has announced the company's achievement in record sales and its development and implementation of twice as…

Unemployment hampers restaurant recovery, but volumes gain slight edge

December 12, 2010

With continued high unemployment across the U.S., restaurant traffic remained down 1 percent in the third calendar quarter of 2010; however, positive signs…

Which Wich reports record week of growth

December 9, 2010

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches opened four stores in six days, marking the busiest development week in the franchisor’s seven-year history. By the end of 2010…

Tis the season: Use holiday staff to build customer loyalty

If there ever was a time of year to invest in wowing guests, the holidays are that time.