Wingstop hits 1.5 billion wings sold

December 10, 2008

DALLAS — Chicken wing chain Wingstop has achieved two milestones as it wraps up the year. The chain has now hit 1 million wings sold per day at the same time…

NRA unveils 2009 top menu trends

December 9, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new National Restaurant Association survey of more than 1,600 professional chefs — members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) …

Coney Beach opens first franchised restaurant

December 7, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International, parent company of Coney Beach, has announced the opening of its first franchised Coney Beach restaurant, located…

2008 Top 100 Movers & Shakers

November 27, 2008

Au Bon Pain: Small portions, big impact

Firehouse Subs names training manager

November 24, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Firehouse Subs has named Shane Mitchell the manager of corporate training, the company announced. Mitchell will conduct all franchisee and…

Marble Slab Creamery debuts holiday cakes, pies

November 23, 2008

ATLANTA — Marble Slab Creamery has introduced a new line of holiday ice cream cakes and pies for the upcoming season, the company announced. The brand will…

Mr. Pita enters Charlotte, N.C., market

November 18, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Mr. Pita has opened its first restaurant in North Carolina, the company announced.    The 2,200 square-foot unit is located at 752…

Submarina names two to executive posts

November 18, 2008

SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Submarina California Subs has hired Kirk Thompson as executive vice president of area development and Vicki Finley as the company's…

Pinkberry announces Northern California expansion

November 18, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Frozen yogurt concept Pinkberry plans to expand throughout Northern California beginning with the opening of a new store in San Jose next month…

Beautiful Brands partners with donut concept

November 16, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International, the developer of Camille's Sidewalk Café, Coney Beach and FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe, has signed a deal with…

Berry Chill debuts Thanksgiving-themed yogurt dish

November 16, 2008

CHICAGO — In honor of Thanksgiving, yogurt shop Berry Chill has created the Berry Gobbler, which features five ounces of Pumpkin Spice yogurt topped with pie…

NEXTEP to display Casino Express at G2E

November 13, 2008

LAS VEGAS — NEXTEP Systems will demonstrate the Casino Express self service food and beverage ordering system at G2E: Global Gaming Expo, to be held Nov. 18-2…

Culver's prototype cuts construction costs

November 12, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Culver's Franchising System Inc. has opened its 390th restaurant, the fourth of its new prototype that includes a new exterior and…

Focus Brands names Russ Umphenour as president, CEO

November 10, 2008

ATLANTA — Focus Brands Inc. has named Russ Umphenour president and chief executive officer, the company announced. Former CEO Steve Romaniello has been named…

Fast casuals market to millennials

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Advertising approach, atmosphere need tweaking to reach younger demographic.

Raising Canes signs lease for Dallas support office

November 9, 2008

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has signed a lease to open its Dallas Restaurant Support Office at Legacy Business Park at 5800 Tennyson…

Farmer Boys launches breakfast all day

November 6, 2008

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Farmer Boys restaurants are now serving breakfast all day, every day, the company announced.   Among Farmer Boys' most popular breakfast…

El Pollo Loco revenue up 4 percent

November 6, 2008

COSTA MESA, Calif.— Comparable-store sales at EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., were flat for the company's third quarter ended…

Smooth sailing for Tropical Smoothie Cafe

New president works to improve communication with franchisees.

Shane's Rib Shack tweaks election-day promo

October 30, 2008

ATLANTA — Shane's Rib Shack is changing its previously announced Election Day promotion to a Celebrate American Democracy Day.  One free "Celebrate America…