Wheat pasta, soups added to Saladworks menu

March 24, 2011

Saladworks has added Barilla Whole Grain wheat rotini pasta to the growing offerings in its salad case. Asparagus & Pea, Lasagna and Loaded Baked Potato…

U.S. restaurants join Japan earthquake relief effort

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Chains and independents are sponsoring promotions and contributing funds to help with the earthquake/tsunami recovery.

Panda Express to match American Red Cross and Tzu Chi Foundation proceeds

March 22, 2011

Panda Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Panda Express, has announced a fundraising campaign to assist with disaster relief in Japan. Panda Restaurant…

Boloco tests LevelUp group buying service

March 22, 2011

Boston-based Boloco has partnered with new group buying platform LevelUp, a pilot program from location-based game SCVNGR. The platform offers three levels of…

Stonefire Grill rolls out ‘Healthy Alternatives’ line

March 22, 2011

Southern California-based Stonefire Grill has launched a “Healthy Alternatives” menu that features entrée salads, pizzas, salmon and chicken dishes with fewer…

Daphne's California Greek unveils new brand identity

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The former Daphne's Greek Cafe has changed its logo, name and corporate culture since August 2010.

Concept review: America’s Next Greatest Restaurant

By Linda Duke

NPD: Calorie counts on menus unlikely to change ordering patterns

March 21, 2011

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) readies to submit its proposed regulations for the federal menu labeling law by the March 23, 2011 deadline, the…

Moe’s adds spicy items to fresh-Mex menu

March 20, 2011

Moe’s Southwest Grill has introduced its new Spicy Trio menu options, available March 21-May 15. 

Grimaldi's founders plan fast casual burger concept

March 20, 2011

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has announced its current expansion plans that call for new locations in Dallas, West Palm Beach, Fla., and various other sites.

Greenopia ranks top green restaurant chains

March 20, 2011

Greenopia, which researches eco-friendly retailers, services and organizations, has recently named its most sustainable restaurant chains.

Breakfast: The most innovative meal of the day

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

You’ve heard it from your mother a thousand times: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  But did you know that as of late, it’s also been the most…

Innovation in the name of charity

by Darrel Suderman — President, Food Technical Consulting

What do the Love Kitchen, Panera Bread, and Cafe 180 all have in common? They provide affordable food to those who can’t regularly pay full price for a meal.

FastCasual.com releases Top 100 Movers & Shakers

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

FastCasual.com has released its sixth annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers, a ranking of the best fast casual concepts of 2010.

Starbucks, Coke, Pepsi named as top corporate citizens

March 15, 2011

Nine National Restaurant Association members have been included on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s list of the 2011 100 Best Corporate Citizens…

Stone Flats builds on craft-your-own offerings

March 14, 2011

Stone Flats has added three new flats, five signature salads, and new soup and dessert options to its menu.

Technomic: Frozen yogurt occupies both ends of the bell curve

March 13, 2011

Technomic’s new “Market Intelligence Report: Ice Cream” found that frozen yogurt concepts occupy both the top and the bottom of the frozen desserts/snacks…

Bruegger’s LTO to spotlight breakfast, lunch offerings

March 10, 2011

This spring, Bruegger's will offer its guests several new flavors, including a new breakfast bagel sandwich and a spicy new cream cheese flavor, and will add…

Starbucks, Green Mountain solidify partnership

March 10, 2011

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. and Starbucks Corp. have finalized a deal that will increase Green Mountain's single-serve dominance.

Planet Smoothie launches meal replacement line

March 8, 2011

Planet Smoothie, a Petrus Brands company, has launched Planet Pro, a protein meal replacement powder offered in light and regular formulas, both of which can…