Raving Brands announces company promotions

July 22, 2007

ATLANTA — Seth Salzman, a co-creator of Moe's Southwest Grill, has been promoted to senior vice president of Raving Brands, charged with the portfolio's three…

Organic To Go expands in LA

July 19, 2007

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Organic fast-casual café Organic To Go is opening two new locations in Los Angeles, the company announced, bringing the number of…

Cosi comps flat for second quarter

July 19, 2007

Houston Chronicle: Sales at fast-casual chain Cosi Inc. rose 12 percent in the second quarter, falling short of Wall Street estimates. Comparable-store sales…

Starbucks puts India entry on hold

July 19, 2007

Economic Times (India): Starbucks is withdrawing its application to operate single-brand retail stores in India, the company announced. Starbucks had planned…

Baja Fresh signs Coca-Cola deal

July 18, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Fast-casual restaurant operator Baja Fresh has signed a 5-year beverage contract with The Coca-Cola Co.   Under the terms of the…

Starbucks teams with Hershey

July 18, 2007

Forbes: Coffee retailer Starbucks Corp. will begins offering coffee-flavored chocolate products as part of an agreement with chocolatier Hershey Co. The…

Daphne's Greek Cafe names new president

July 17, 2007

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Café has named Steve Fricker as president of the fast-casual chain.   Fricker formerly served as president and chief…

Jamba Juice names VP of supply chain management

July 17, 2007

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Jamba Inc., the operator of blended beverage, juice and healthy snack store Jamba Juice, has appointed Greg Schwartz as vice president…

Zaxby's to mark milestone with sweepstakes

July 17, 2007

ATHENS, Ga. — Fast-casual chicken finger chain Zaxby's will reach 400 units by summer's end, and to mark the milestone the company is holding an online…

Starbucks fills long-vacant COO post

July 17, 2007

Washington Post: Starbucks has tapped Martin Coles, international division president, to take the role of chief operating officer. Coles, 51, will assume the…

Chedd's Gourmet Grilled Cheese plans national expansion

July 16, 2007

Denver Post: The founders of Chedd's Gourmet Grilled Cheese restaurant in Denver is hoping to go national. The Wisconsin-themed grilled-cheese restaurant…

Quiznos names VP of non-traditional development

July 16, 2007

DENVER — Toasted-sub chain Quiznos has named Hannibal Myers as senior vice president of non-traditional development, effective Aug. 13. Myers will report…

Ethnic influences on the menu

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Asian, other flavors, spice things up.  

Obee's to undergo 30-1 forward stock split

July 15, 2007

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Obee's Franchise Systems Inc. has purchased a feature profile in the upcoming edition of Opportunist Magazine as part of an investor…

Andy's Cheesesteaks to raffle classic car for charity

July 15, 2007

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Fast-casual chain Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers is raffling off a fully-restored 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, valued at more than $50,000.

Taco Del Mar intros Mojito Burrito

July 12, 2007

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar announced it has added the Mojito Burrito back to its menu, after previously offering it as a limited-time, seasonal item in 2006. …

Coney Beach opening sales exceed expectations

July 9, 2007

TULSA, Okla. — Coney Beach restaurant has exceeded sales projections made by parent company Beautiful Brands International, bringing in a total of $51,432 in…

Napa Technology intros WineStation

July 8, 2007

NAPA, Calif. — Copia, The American Center for Food, Wine and The Arts, debuted Napa Technology's WineStation Intelligent Dispensing Systems June 22. …

Captain D's unveils new look

July 5, 2007

The Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, Tenn.): Captain D's Seafood Kitchen is introducing a new look and menu that will eventually be phased in throughout the…

Keeping E. coli out

Restaurant best practices for staying safe.