A trend walks into the unemployment office

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

He sat patiently on the hard little chair, not sure what to expect. The paper in his hand seemed small and sparse but it would have to do. The door opposite…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe adds breakfast items

August 26, 2010

September is National Breakfast Month, and Tropical Smoothie Café, a tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich chain with more than 285 locations, is celebrating…

Report reveals fast casual obstacles to growth

August 26, 2010

Mintel's recent foodservice survey and report on fast casual concludes what many in the limited service segment already know – the enduring growth of the…

Greatness: Accelerating the Recovery, Part III

By Dale Furtwengler

Rubio's closes merger to go private

August 25, 2010

Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. has closed its merger with a Mill Road Capital, L.P. subsidiary to officially make the company private.

Saladworks expands in Orange County

August 25, 2010

Saladworks has announced an agreement with a multi-unit developer for three locations in Northern Orange County, Calif. 

Are we missing something?

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Recently Market Force ran a series of studies with over 4,00 consumers to investigate their attitudes and behaviors around fast casual and family restaurants…

Behind The Melting Pot's new "Peel"

Mark Johnston is the president of Melting Pot Restaurants Inc., the casual-upscale fondue chain with more than 135 units in the United States and Canada. Its…

Cali smoothie chain signs 500 unit deal in Japan

August 24, 2010

Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based Robeks Corporation has announced that it signed a multi-year master franchise agreement with Tokyo-based Clarence Corporation to…

U-Swirl moves to Boise metropolitan market

August 24, 2010

Healthy Fast Food Inc., parent to U-SWIRL International Inc., has announced that Regents Management LLC will immediately commence construction on its first of…

Central Florida readies for another Buffalo Wild Wings

August 23, 2010

Clermont will be the location for the seventh Buffalo Wild Wings Florida location, set to open Aug. 27. Sunshine Restaurant Corp. is the Central Florida…

Mama Fu's targets Pittsburgh

August 23, 2010

Mama Fu's Pan-Asian concept has announced the first signing of a three-unit area development agreement for Mama Fu’s first locations in Pittsburgh.

Vermont mobile burger joint franchises

August 22, 2010

ZooHoo’s Eatery, a Wilmington, Vt.-based mobile food concept, recently completed both its grand opening and franchise development program. Now the company…

Smashburger finds sweet spot in Nebraska

August 22, 2010

Smashburger, a fast-casual "better burger" restaurant, will open its third location in the Omaha metro-area on Sept. 8. The restaurant will open at 3811 Twin…

Tin Star opens taco bar in Arlington

August 18, 2010

Tin Star has announced the opening of its new taco bar location at the Parks Mall in Arlington, Texas.

The Popeye principle (or, "I am what I am.")

by Lori Walderich — CMO, Top That! Pizza

While it's understandable that brands evolve, concept evolution has to make sense.

Daphne's Greek Cafe finalizes sale, launches new menu items

by

August 16, 2010

Daphne’s Greek Cafe has announced the completion of its sale to Wreath Equity LLC, which purchased Daphne’s Greek Cafe on Aug. 6, 2010. That same day, William…

Moe’s names winners of the ‘I Love Queso’ contest

August 16, 2010

Moe’s Southwest Grill asked guests to enter its I Love Queso Video Contest by uploading a one minute video about their love for Moe’s queso. Moe’s…

Starbucks, Panera Bread and In-N-Out top Zagat 'best of'

August 15, 2010

Zagat has revealed the results of its latest survey, covering 97 major fast food chains and 39 full service chains as voted on by 6,518 ZAGAT.com diners. The…

The strangers among us

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

I love airports. I love hotels. I love conferences. I love anywhere there are groups of strangers I can interact with. What is so fascinating is that just as…