New World moves corporate headquarters

January 22, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc. announced Jan. 23 that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Lakewood, Colo.   The move will take…

One-legged bank robber orders Penn Station sub after heist

January 22, 2007

Richmond Times-Dispatch: A one-legged bank robber in a wheelchair headed to Penn Station East Coast Subs for a bite after he was left stranded by his…

Building brand loyalty

Fast casuals are looking to loyalty programs to boost revenue and increase repeat traffic.

Raving Brands, Coca-Cola NA sign long-term beverage deal

January 21, 2007

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola North America and Raving Brands have signed a long-term beverage marketing agreement for five Raving Brands concepts – Shane's Rib Shack…

Chipotle to move offices

January 21, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill is moving its Denver headquarters to a soon-to-be-constructed 43,000 square-foot building located in the city's lower downtown…

Bruegger's announces California, South Carolina expansions

January 18, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has signed new agreements with two new franchise groups to develop 15 Bruegger's bakery-cafés over the next…

Chipotle calendar sales to support sustainable agriculture

January 18, 2007

DENVER – Chipotle Mexican Grill has started to sell whimsical calendars in its stores for $5 apiece. The calendars, featuring foil-wrapped burritos in…

Bruegger's launches lunchtime Duos

January 17, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's has announced the launch of its Bruegger's Duos, lunch combinations that allow guests to pair two menu choices for one low price.

Freebirds to collect for Habitat for Humanity

January 17, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — Freebirds World Burrito, the Texas-based fast casual known for its Monster burritos, announced a four-week fund-raising campaign to…

Starbucks switches to hormone-free milk

January 16, 2007

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Coffee Co. said Tuesday that it has stopped using dairy products with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, or rBGH, in…

Cosi shares fall following analyst downgrade

January 16, 2007

Associated Press: Shares of Cosi Inc. declined Wednesday after a Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst cut his rating on the company. The stock has traded in a…

Au Bon Pain plans Japanese expansion

January 15, 2007

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain announced it signed a master franchise agreement with Japan-based REINS International Inc. REINS' portfolio includes restaurants…

Franchisee files $12M suit against Atlanta Bread Company

January 14, 2007

Atlanta Business Journal: A year ago, Sean Lupton-Smith was one of the most successful franchisees of Atlanta Bread Company International Inc. Today…

Chipotle eyes 100-unit expansion

January 14, 2007

Denver Post: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. plans to accelerate its expansion this year, adding 95 to 105 restaurants after it improved training for employees who…

McDonald's to consider sale of Boston Market

January 11, 2007

The Chicago Tribune: McDonald's Corp. may be putting its Golden, Colo.-based Boston Market restaurant chain up for sale. Boston Market employees were told…

Restaurants urged to increase pickers' wages

January 11, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), has challenged Burger King to work with the…

Salad Creations plans expansion

January 10, 2007

Detroit News: Anthony Ciotti and Luciano Gonzalez are looking for entrepreneurs willing to invest in Salad Creations, a Florida-based chain that recently…

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

Jamba Juice warns customers of bad strawberries

December 6, 2006

Houston Chronicle: Jamba Juice Co. is warning consumers in the Southwest that smoothies containing strawberries might have been contaminated with a…

Caribou Coffee partners with Coca-Cola

December 4, 2006

Charlotte Business Journal: Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. and Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) plan to launch a new line of premium ready-to-drink iced coffees in the…