Energy Kitchen whisks up new breakfast combo

September 12, 2010

Energy Kitchen has launched a new breakfast combo that features omelets and illy coffee for under $4.

McDonald's out, Five Guys in as consumers' preferred burger

September 9, 2010

In a new survey by Consumer Reports, customers have ousted McDonald's as their preferred burger, choosing instead Wendy's, Burger King, In-N-Out and Five Guys.

Starbucks to drop tall orders from drive-thru

September 9, 2010

In an attempt to prepare for mandatory calorie postings, Starbucks Corp. has made the decision to drop its smallest drink from drive-thru menus, as reported by…

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…

Panera Bread to roll out new menu boards at Ohio locations

September 8, 2010

Panera Bread’s Ohio franchisee, Breads of the World, has announced the placement of new menu boards in all 48 bakery-cafes it owns throughout central and…

Big-name food trucks hitting the road

September 8, 2010

What began as a modest neighborhood hot dog slinger has snowballed into a full-fledged craze glorified on The Food Network and emulated by big-name chains…

Bruegger’s intros breakfast values; brings back fall favorites

September 7, 2010

Bruegger’s is celebrating Fall with a limited-time value option for breakfast along with new featured combinations on its lunch menu starting September 22.

Fast Casual Executive Summit kicks off with Chicago food tour

September 7, 2010

FastCasual.com, the executive producer of the Fast Casual Executive Summit has lined up several locations for its 2010 food tour as part of the Summit. The…

Jamba Juice reveals new breakfast platform

September 6, 2010

Jamba Juice has introduced its Better Start. Better Day Campaign. It highlights breakfast menu items including Hearty Start, Power Start and Balanced Start…

Schlotzsky’s adds three chicken sandwich LTOs

by

September 2, 2010

As the weather cools down, Schlotzsky's Route 66 promotion is winding its way toward California, with the offering of three new limited-time-only signature…

Roti Mediterranean Grill to open sixth location

September 1, 2010

Roti Mediterranean Grill will open its sixth location this November on North Dearborn Street, the third unit in downtown Chicago.

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…