Panera Bread changes at the top

April 3, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. said it will replace chief financial officer Mark Hood with Jeff Kip, vice president of finance and planning, effective May 5. …

Cold Stone, Monster Garage build ultimate ice cream truck

April 2, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery and the Monster Garage teamed up to construct the ultimate ice cream truck. The construction of the truck will air on…

Starbucks upgrades tea offerings

March 30, 2006

SEATTLE— Inspired by green tea matcha used in ancient Japanese tea rituals, Starbucks will add two new green tea beverages made with real Japanese matcha…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

The art of takeout packaging

March 30, 2006

Research shows that takeout packaging is just as important to consumers as the food. According to a recent Dixie Foodservice survey, 50 percent of consumers…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

Mocafe to offer organic frappes

March 23, 2006

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. -- Innovative Beverage Concepts Inc., the parent company of Mocafe, has launched USDA organic certified frappes and Fair Trade Certified…

Shareholders approve Jamba Juice merger

March 22, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jamba Juice shareholders approved a merger with Services Acquisition Corp. International (SVI) March 22.   According to a news…

Starbucks to donate $10 million for water programs

March 22, 2006

SEATTLE— Starbucks plans to contribute at least $10 million over the next five years to non-profit organizations working to alleviate the world water crisis.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe chooses MICROS RES 3000

March 19, 2006

COLUMBIA, Md. — MICROS Systems Inc. announced that Tropical Smoothie Café has named MICROS RES 3000 the corporate standard. The company has begun deployment…

Cosi reports $6 million fourth-quarter net loss

March 15, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported Wednesday evening a fourth-quarter net loss of $6.04 million compared with a net loss of $6.58 million during the same…

Maui Wowi Hawaiian expects 2006 to mirror 2005

March 14, 2006

DENVER — After a powerhouse year in 2005, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies spreads its Aloha spirit to even more retail locations across the United…

Caribou Coffee opens in Sioux Falls

March 14, 2006

Argus Leader: Caribou Coffee will make its debut in Sioux Falls, S.D. The new store has a drive-thru and inside seating for about 65 people. "It's kind of a…

Jamba Juice merges with SVI

March 14, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO — Jamba Juice Company will merge Services Acquisition Corp. International ("SVI") the company said in a news release. SVI will seek to change…

Starbucks expects 500,000 cups given away

March 14, 2006

Starbucks didn't know exactly how much coffee it had given away for its first "National Coffee Break" March 15. But Starbucks spokesperson Chris Gimbl expects…

Middle Eastern investors own Caribou Coffee and Church's Chicken

March 12, 2006

Washington Post: Middle Eastern investment in the United States is once again picking up steam, showing big gains since the tense period following the Sept.

Alterra Coffee owns Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee has created a cult-like following within the large Midwestern town.

Port City Java same-store sales rise 12% in Feb.

March 9, 2006

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Port City Java Coffeehouse Cafes announced its comparable same-store corporate sales for Feb. increased 12.2 percent. According to a news…

Bruegger's assists Feed the Children

March 9, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner and the luck of the Irish in the air, Bruegger's bakeries nationwide are gearing up for their…