Togo’s promotes Susan Koch to VP, Finance

January 31, 2011

Togo’s Sandwiches has named Susan Koch its vice president of finance. Koch has been with Togo’s since August 1997 in various capacities and her preceding title…

Starbucks reports its strongest holiday season ever

January 26, 2011

Starbucks Corporation reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter 2011, ended Jan. 2. The results featured plenty of highlights, including a …

Cosi Inc. sees increase in fourth-quarter sales

January 23, 2011

Così Inc. has reported that system-wide comparable restaurant sales for the 2010 fourth quarter has increased 4.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of…

Restaurant Performance Index posts November decline

January 2, 2011

As a result of a downtick in same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) fell below…

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.

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.

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…

Restaurant performance outlook posts modest improvement

October 28, 2010

Driven by improving same-store sales and customer traffic levels, as well as growing optimism among restaurant operators, the outlook for the restaurant…

GE Capital, Franchise Finance provides $8.7 million to Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee

October 27, 2010

GE Capital, Franchise Finance provided $8.7 million in financing to Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee, Four M Capital LLC. The funds are being used for the…

Healthy Fast Food closes secondary offering

October 21, 2010

Healthy Fast Food Inc., parent to U-SWIRL International Inc., the owner and franchisor of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt cafes, has announced that it has closed its…

Boston Market rebrand gets systemwide boost

October 4, 2010

In the wake of an overall company transition, Boston Market has announced the launch of a nationwide rollout of upgrades and new menu items created to…

Extended tax benefits for restaurants

Large equipment purchases may be eligible for a substantial tax benefit that was extended earlier this year.

Fast Casual Executive Summit to address new operating landscape

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

September 8, 2010

It has taken the fast casual segment more than 20 years to establish itself as a restaurant category leader. Now that it has, operators are continuing to…

Restaurant industry recovery stalled in July

Like a flight out of a stormy harbor, the restaurant industry's performance hit a string of jarring turbulence last month. The National Restaurant…

Greatness: Accelerating the recovery, Part I

How to ascertain the greatness of your organization by comparing your actions now against the essential elements of economic recovery.

Petrus Brands names new CFO

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August 17, 2010

Petrus Brands, the parent company of Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie, has named Carl Jakaitis as its new chief financial officer. Jakaitis assumed the…

Jamba Inc. refranchises 13 Calif. locations

August 1, 2010

Jamba Inc. has announced the sale of 13 restaurants in Santa Cruz, Temecula, and Chico/Redding, Calif., all of which were purchased by franchise operators with…

Fast Casual Executive Summit to shake up industry segment

July 26, 2010

With the theme of Shaken, Not Stirred, the 2010 Fast Casual Executive Summit has been designed to take restaurant-industry operators out of their comfort zones…

Magic Brands receives court approval to sell assets to Luby's

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June 24, 2010

Magic Brands LLC, and Fuddruckers Inc. has obtained bankruptcy court approval for the sale of a substantial amount of its assets to Luby's Inc.   "The…

Panera Bread to present at Piper Jaffray conference

June 6, 2010

Panera Bread Company has announced that Jeff Kip, senior vice president and CFO, will be presenting at the 30th Annual Piper Jaffray Consumer Conference in New…