Caribou Coffee uses social media to spearhead evolution

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Caribou Coffee underwent a brand relaunch in late 2009 and is using social media to ensure its evolution continues down the right path.

Planet Smoothie warms up winter with tropical flavors

March 11, 2012

Planet Smoothie will launch its Flavors of the Tropics campaign March 19 that will promote Sambazon products including the limited-time Açaí smoothies and…

Camille's Sidewalk Café launches smoothie line

March 8, 2012

Beautiful Brands International has announced the immediate roll out of its new menu of non-fat yogurt blends as well as a lineup of smoothie health enhancers…

Starbucks takes localization approach to Europe

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

In 2009, Starbucks Corp. renovated several Seattle locations to better reflect the neighborhoods in which the coffeehouses were settled. The company is now…

Starbucks earns high customer experience ratings

February 29, 2012

Chick-fil-A and Subway tied with Starbucks to earn the top customer experience ratings in the restaurant industry, out of 17 total chains.

Caribou Coffee posts strong Q4 gains

February 23, 2012

Caribou Coffee Company Inc. has reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 for the period ending Jan. 1, and confirmed fiscal year…

NRA: Fast casual operators optimistic about 2012 sales gains

Total restaurant industry sales will reach a record high of $632 billion in 2012, a 3.5 percent increase over 2011.

Jamba Juice to sell specialty tea through acquisition

February 19, 2012

Jamba Juice Company has announced the acquisition of Talbott Teas, a Chicago-based boutique, premium tea company, recently profiled on ABC-TV’s “Shark Tank.”

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz addresses state of the union

February 19, 2012

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz addressed the country's unemployment rate on CNN's "State of the Union." Schultz said the issue is not one faced by Republicans or…

Starbucks opens first ski-thru location

February 17, 2012

Skiers talented enough to drink coffee while skiing may be happy to hear that Squaw Valley USA, a ski resort in California, has opened the world's first…

Tasti D-Lite, Planet Smoothie CEO named to IFA Hall of Fame

February 16, 2012

James H. Amos Jr., CFE, chairman and CEO of Tasti D-Lite and Planet Smoothie, has been named to the International Franchise Association (IFA) Hall of Fame. The…

Starbucks, Ai Ni Group partner on joint China coffee venture

February 5, 2012

As part of its ongoing efforts to help elevate the coffee industry in China’s Yunnan Province, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced that it has signed an…

Noodles & Company launches national Coca-Cola Freestyle deployment

January 29, 2012

Noodles & Company has announced the national launch of the Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispenser.

Consumers vote Red Mango as best of Long Island

January 25, 2012

Red Mango has been named by Long Island Press readers as one of the Best of Long Island 2012 National Winners.

Starbucks extending wine, beer, evening daypart offerings

January 24, 2012

Responding to customer demand for more options during the evening daypart, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced plans to bring wine, beer and premium food…

Jamba Juice hosting energy beverage giveaway

January 24, 2012

On Jan. 23, more than 500 Jamba Juice outlets across the country will give away free samples of Nestlé Jamba All-Natural Energy Beverages.

Caribou Coffee launches light and dark roasts

January 22, 2012

Caribou Coffee has announced the launch two new coffees, crafted to bring coffee drinkers a broad spectrum of flavors available. Starlight and Eclipse round…

Beautiful Brands signs 20-unit CherryBerry franchise deal

January 19, 2012

Beautiful Brands International has announced the signing of a master franchise agreement with Ken Peterson to open at least 20 new CherryBerry Self-Serve…

Starbucks named a top global brand, place to work

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

January 19, 2012

Based on financial performance and brand strength, Starbucks was listed on Intrabrand's top 100 global brands of 2011. The Seattle-based coffee chain was No.

Restaurant industry's 2012 trends shaped by demographics, nutrition

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

NPD Group's research also expects retail competition to increase and commodity prices to affect menu offerings.