Vietnamese coffee chain putting heat on Starbucks

February 8, 2013

While Starbucks is trying to move in on Vietnam's coffee market, opening its first unit there in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month, Trung Nguyen Group Corp…

Study: Lower-calorie menu items increase traffic and sales

February 8, 2013

Restaurants that serve more lower-calorie options perform better financially, according to a new study by Hudson Institute. Throughout the past five years…

CEO of Muscle Maker Grill pumped about growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A focus on healthy food and customer service has fueled the chain's growth.

Report: Demographic shift influencing food trends

February 6, 2013

A new market research report jointly published by Packaged Facts and CCD Innovation shows how the growth in the Hispanic and Asian populations is causing a…

Charleys introduces Pepperoni Steak Bomb sandwich

February 5, 2013

Charleys has added the Pepperoni Steak Bomb sandwich to its menu for a limited time.

Einstein Noah celebrates National Bagel Day with giveaway

February 5, 2013

Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah's New York Bagels are celebrating National Bagel Day Feb. 9 by offering a free bagel and shmear to customers who purchase any…

Bruegger's commemorates anniversary with free bagel

February 5, 2013

Bruegger's Bagels will officially celebrate its 30th anniversary on Feb. 7. Until 11 a.m. that day, guests can redeem a coupon for a complimentary bagel and…

Chef-restaurateurs collaborate for new fast casual pizza concept

February 1, 2013

Chefs Rodelio Aglibot (Koi, Yi Cuisine, Sunda, BLT) and Frank Fronda (Napa Valley Grille, Cafe del Rey, Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire), the founding partners…

American Roadside Burgers breaks ground in Greenville, S.C.

January 31, 2013

To build its newest store, American Roadside demolished a service station on the corner of East McBee Avenue and South Irvine Street in Downtown Greenville…

Panda Express celebrating Chinese New Year with LTO

January 29, 2013

Panda Express is introducing Tangy Jumbo Shrimp this week just in time to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The dish combines crispy, extra-large shrimp, fresh…

Chipotle testing tofu

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

January 25, 2013

Chipotle is introducing a menu item in hopes of pleasing its vegetarian and vegan guests. "Sofritas," a tofu-based protein, said the chain's marketing…

Menu trends: Beef outsells seafood in 2012

January 24, 2013

Food dishes with protein (any type of meat or seafood) grew at a healthier clip in 2012, than food dishes without protein, according to GuestMetrics, which…

'Lent'il soup available at I Dream of Falafel

January 24, 2013

Chicago-based I Dream of Falafel is honoring the Lenten season from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13) through Good Friday (March 29) by providing guests with two soup…

La Madeleine launches new Smart Choices entrée

January 17, 2013

La Madeleine Country French Café has added a new entrée to its Smart Choices menu. The Salmon and French Lentils option is available now through March 19 for …

Asian Box expands footprint in California

January 16, 2013

Asian Box is now open in Mountain View, Calif. The concept's second location, at 142 Castro St., debuted in late December 2012 with a limited menu and hours.

Salsarita's asks fans to name new salsa

January 16, 2013

Starting this week, Salsarita's guests can submit a creative name for the chain's new hot salsa for the chance to win a six-night, all expense paid trip to…

Cowboy Chicken introduces low-calorie menu

January 16, 2013

Cowboy Chicken, the seven-unit, Dallas-based, fast casual rotisserie chicken brand, has introduced its new Low Cal Corral menu, offering five entrées with less…

Mintel: Four foodservice trends will stand out this year

January 9, 2013

Intelligence firm Mintel predicts there will be four trends in particular that will have the biggest impact on the restaurant industry in this year.

Bruegger's Bagels celebrates 30th birthday with LTOs

January 9, 2013

Bruegger's Bagels is celebrating its 30th birthday by adding new flavors to its lineup of nearly 20 bagel varieties and by inviting its Facebook fans to bring…

Tacos gone tropical: Fish, chicken tacos debut at Tropical Smoothie

January 9, 2013

Tropical Smoothie Café, a 337-unit chain, is adding Fish and Chicken Tacos to its menu.