Baja Fresh sales dip in Q1

April 5, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill's system same-store sales declined 3.6-3.8  percent. The restaurant's parent, Wendy's International Inc., announced…

Caribou CEO earns $2.4MM while stock declines

April 4, 2006

Business Journal: Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive Michael Coles made $2.4 million in salary, bonuses and stock grants 2005, while his company went public…

Peet's Coffee & Tea celebrates 40 years

April 4, 2006

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. announced the launch of its 40th Anniversary celebration in its 113 company-owned stores and nationwide home…

Starbucks upgrades tea offerings

March 30, 2006

SEATTLE— Inspired by green tea matcha used in ancient Japanese tea rituals, Starbucks will add two new green tea beverages made with real Japanese matcha…

Caribou Coffee to install 300 kiosks by 2008

March 30, 2006

Caribou Coffee said it has helped improve the customer experience at its 400 shops worldwide by implementing innovative IBM kiosk and point-of-sale (POS…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverage relaunches in Japan

March 28, 2006

SEATTLE & TOKYO — Starbucks Coffee Company and Suntory Ltd., one of the leading Japanese producers and distributors of food and beverages, announced the…

Einstein Bagels overhauls menu

March 27, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Just in time for spring, the menu at Einstein Bros. Bagels is blossoming with new flavor combinations and meal choices that'll make the warming…

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

Starbucks to donate $10 million for water programs

March 22, 2006

SEATTLE— Starbucks plans to contribute at least $10 million over the next five years to non-profit organizations working to alleviate the world water crisis.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Cafes to replace Seattle's Best in Ralphs Grocery Stores

March 16, 2006

LOS ANGELES—The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Los Angeles-based specialty coffee and tea retailer, has announced that their strategic partnership with Ralphs…

Starbucks introduces Rwanda coffee

March 15, 2006

SEATTLE—Starbucks Coffee Company introduced Rwanda Blue Bourbon coffee, its first ever from Rwanda and the 10th coffee in its Black Apron Exclusives line-up.…

Maui Wowi Hawaiian expects 2006 to mirror 2005

March 14, 2006

DENVER — After a powerhouse year in 2005, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies spreads its Aloha spirit to even more retail locations across the United…

Caribou Coffee opens in Sioux Falls

March 14, 2006

Argus Leader: Caribou Coffee will make its debut in Sioux Falls, S.D. The new store has a drive-thru and inside seating for about 65 people. "It's kind of a…

Starbucks expects 500,000 cups given away

March 14, 2006

Starbucks didn't know exactly how much coffee it had given away for its first "National Coffee Break" March 15. But Starbucks spokesperson Chris Gimbl expects…

Middle Eastern investors own Caribou Coffee and Church's Chicken

March 12, 2006

Washington Post: Middle Eastern investment in the United States is once again picking up steam, showing big gains since the tense period following the Sept.

Alterra Coffee owns Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee has created a cult-like following within the large Midwestern town.

Port City Java same-store sales rise 12% in Feb.

March 9, 2006

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Port City Java Coffeehouse Cafes announced its comparable same-store corporate sales for Feb. increased 12.2 percent. According to a news…

Bruegger's assists Feed the Children

March 9, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner and the luck of the Irish in the air, Bruegger's bakeries nationwide are gearing up for their…