Elevation Burger latest to roll out Freestyle

December 1, 2010

Elevation Burger has become the latest restaurant chain to debut the Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispenser. The Freestyle was unveiled at Elevation Burger's…

FreshBerry to cool off hot markets

December 1, 2010

Consumers in Florida, Portugal and Venezuela will have access to FreshBerry frozen yogurt through a multiunit development deal destined to bring up to 10…

MOOYAH to enter Ark., La., territory

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

November 30, 2010

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes has announced its expansion into Arkansas and northern Louisiana through deals with six new franchisees in the states.

Chef’s survey reveals 2011 menu trends

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The National Restaurant Association’s “What’s Hot” survey of more than 1,500 professional chefs has revealed that local and hyper-local sourcing, healthy…

Garbanzo adds 12th location to Colo. roster

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 29, 2010

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has added a second Colorado Springs location, set to open Dec. 3. The new restaurant will be the chain's 12th in the Denver area.

MonkeyMedia Software expands industry partnerships

November 29, 2010

MonkeyMedia Software, a provider of web-based software, strategy and education services for restaurant operators such as Einstein Bros. Bagels, has announced a…

Panchero's hires new VP of franchise development

November 29, 2010

Panchero's Mexican Grill has announced the hiring of Gary Matusiak as the company's new vice president of franchise development. Matusiak joins the team from…

Restaurant comps, traffic push RPI to highest level in three years

November 29, 2010

Fueled by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest…

Fast Casual restaurants gain UK market share

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 28, 2010

Fast-casual restaurants are continuing to gain market share in the United Kingdom -- growing at a faster rate than their limited-service counterparts…

Panda Express rolls out major growth plan

November 28, 2010

Just last year, foodservice industry consultant Technomic called the Asian segment "under-realized." Most Asian food business comes from full-service…

Study: People choose combo meals regardless of value or size

November 28, 2010

In her new research, "Consumption Effects of Bundling: Consumer Perceptions, Firm Actions, and Public Policy Implications," appearing in the fall issue of…

Gift cards to boost industry sales

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

Despite modest gains, the National Restaurant Association’s chief economist is predicting the continued tightening of consumer spending.

Tom & Eddie's second location to open soon

November 23, 2010

Tom & Eddie's has announced that it will open its second Illinois location December 14, at the Shoppes at Geneva Commons, west of Chicago.

Claiming the benefits of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010

by Richard Yelton — Principal, Windham Brannon, P.C.

As many restaurant franchisees are currently contemplating the need to make capital improvements to their restaurants, the recently enacted Small Business Jobs…

Dirty dishware, restrooms and odor are Top 3 customer turnoffs

November 22, 2010

A recent Cintas Corporation survey conducted by Harris Interactive revealed that dirty dishes, unpleasant odor and dirty restrooms are the top reasons…

Panera Bread opens second Panera Cares cafe

November 22, 2010

The Panera Bread Foundation has opened its second non-profit community cafe – called Panera Cares – in Dearborn, Mich. The company also announced plans to open…

Stay awake, stay uncomfortable, stay kind

by Joni Doolin — CEO, People Report

We are living in a time of meta-shift. Pick your favorite historian, economist, futuris, or business sage - if you listen closely they are all telling us the…

McAlister’s Deli founders find second-time success

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Nine years after the sale of McAlister's Deli, the Newcomb family gains ground with Newk's Express Café.

Pei Wei rolls out Coca-Cola Freestyle

November 18, 2010

Coca-Cola Freestyle, the Coca-Cola Company's new interactive fountain dispenser, is now available for the first time in Phoenix.

Taking control of who has what

Do you have control of your restaurant? By that I mean everyone who has keys to the building, and storage areas, codes to the POS system, and combinations to…