How a hotel became a hot fast casual concept

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Marriott transformed its Courtyard food and beverage offerings away from the traditional buffet into a new fast casual format, resulting in a 27-percent jump…

Technology, desire to connect with customer drives Buffalo Wild Wings' success

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Based on customer research and feedback, Buffalo Wild Wings invested significantly in defining, delivering and enhancing its brand experience using technology.

Specialty's Café & Bakery gains $37.5M credit facility

November 14, 2014

The financing from GE Capital will help the 50-unit chain refinance debt and grow.

Zoe's Kitchen announces secondary public offering

November 13, 2014

Current stockholders intend to offer 3,800,000 shares of common stock, with 570,000 available for purchase to the underwriters.

Zoe's Kitchen buys three franchise units, announces Q3

November 11, 2014

In addition to acquiring three units in Louisiana, Zoe's Q3 comps will range between 5.7 percent and 5.9 percent.

COO: Newk's riding high on 'second wave' of fast casual

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Jim Greco, newly-appointed COO of Newk’s Franchise Company, sees an opportunity for the chain to supplant early leaders like Panera thanks to culinary-driven…

Fuddruckers same-store sales decline 4.6% in Q4

November 10, 2014

Luby's combo locations, which feature Fuddruckers and Luby's Cafeteria at one property location, were up 5.1 percent in Q4.

Four ways the game has changed for restaurant brands

Nimbleness, dynamic customer relationships, customization and millennial insights are all key to brand success, says FOCUS Brands CEO Steve DeSutter.

Fiesta Restaurant Group reports increases for Q3

November 6, 2014

Fiesta Restaurant Group, parent company of the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, reported comp growth for both brands in Q3 2014.

Juice It Up! reports sales, AUV gains in Q3

November 6, 2014

Juice It Up! reported a same-store sales increase of 11 percent year-over-year in Q3 2014, and an average unit volume increase of 12 percent.

Forever Brands merges with Falafill

November 6, 2014

The merger kicks off a year of growth for the combined brands, which hope to add 35 new units throughout Chicagoland in the next year.

Potbelly sales increase 0.5 percent in Q3

November 6, 2014

Same-store sales remain down 1.1 percent year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

Jamba Juice same-store sales jump by 3.8 percent in Q3

November 6, 2014

Jamba Juice attributed the increase to strong performance by its fresh squeezed juice and whole food blending platform.

No traffic, no problem: Starbucks plans to take the coffee to the customer in 2015

October 31, 2014

Consumers are staying away from brick and mortar stores in favor of online shopping, slowing traffic growth in Starbucks' stores. Starbucks is navigating the…

Fast food industry driving global cheese market

October 31, 2014

Research and Markets has released the "Global Cheese Market 2014-2018" report to their line of products.

Forget Apple: Starbucks wants to rule mobile payments

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

October 31, 2014

United States consumers made $1.3 billion in mobile payments in 2013 and the coffee retailer accounted for over 90 percent of those purchases.

NRA: Restaurant Performance Index showed moderate decline in September

October 31, 2014

Restaurant operators are unimpressed about the direction of the economy.

Sales up, margins down as Panera continues 2.0 transformation

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

October 30, 2014

Comps for company stores increased 2.1 percent and 0.7 percent for franchise stores while margins declined 2 percent due to food costs and costs related to…

Fresh To Order continues growth in Atlanta market

October 14, 2014

Restaurant opens in Decatur, Georgia.

Qdoba rolls extras into entrée price

October 3, 2014

The menu applies a two-tier pricing structure based on protein with no additional charge for add-ons like guacamole and queso.