Restaurant Performance Index reaches 12-month high

April 29, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry was decidedly more optimistic in March, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index…

NRA reacts to passage of the Iraq Supplemental report

April 26, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association today reacted to passage of the Iraq Supplemental Conference Report (H.R. 1591) which includes an…

California Souplantation set to reopen after E. coli scare

April 26, 2007

Orange County Register: Food samples taken from a Souplantation in Lake Forest, Calif., have tested negative for E. coli, prompting local health authorities to…

NRA show breakfast to focus on neighborhood marketing

April 26, 2007

The sixth annual Restaurant Executive Breakfast will be held May 19 during the 88th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in…

Children's literacy a passion for Caribou CEO

April 25, 2007

St. Cloud Times (Minnesota): Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive officer Michael Coles has been involved in children's literacy projects even before he ran a…

New report highlights U.S, breakfast market

April 25, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Dining Out Review: Limited-service Breakfast in the United States" to their offering.

Gift card sales get e-mail boost

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 25, 2007

Restaurants increase sales and profits through targeted e-mail marketing gift card programs.

Investor plans 21 Einstein's for north Florida

April 22, 2007

Orlando Business Journal: Einstein Bros. Bagels has signed a multi-unit development agreement with Orlando-based MC Squared Investments LLC to build 2…

Qdoba hires GroundFloor Media as agency of record

April 18, 2007

DENVER — Denver-based public relations firm GroundFloor Media Inc., has been hired as the national agency of record for Qdoba Mexican Grill, the company…

P.J. Coffee intros environmentally friendly cups

April 17, 2007

ATLANTA — PJ's Coffee of New Orleans will implement eco-friendly cold drink cups in all of its 48 locations, the company announced April 17.     The 10…

Macy's to intro quick-serve, cafe concepts at Florida malls

April 17, 2007

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Macy's department stores is introducing its own brand of quick-serve eateries and restaurants to Florida stores as a part of a…

Quiznos intros Peppercorn Parmesan Turkey sandwich

April 15, 2007

DENVER — Quiznos introduced April 16 the Peppercorn Parmesan Turkey with Bacon sub to their nationwide toasted sandwich roster.   The toasted sub is…

Burgerville wins

April 15, 2007

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Cable television's Food Network has recognized Burgerville, part of The Holland Inc.'s restaurant group, with its "Better Burger" Award. …

Coffee roasters look to train baristas

April 15, 2007

The Courier-Journal: The number of coffee houses in the United States has nearly doubled in the past six years. According to the Specialty Coffee Association…

Gumbo a Go-Go changes name

April 15, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cajun and Creole fast casual eatery Gumbo A Go-Go has changed its name to J Gumbo's Down-Home Cajun Cooking to better reflect the…

Salads paying off for QSR operators

April 12, 2007

CHICAGO — Quick-service restaurants have been aggressively improving and promoting their salad offerings—and their efforts appear to be paying off, according…

Focus Brands to Acquire Moe's

April 10, 2007

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the fast-casual chain Moe's Southwest Grill from Atlanta-based Raving Brands. …

Panera drops Jay's chips

April 9, 2007

Chicago Sun-Times: Panera Bread Co. has pulled chips from Jay's Foods Inc. from its stores, officials from the snack-food company told employees last week.

Starbucks to build South Carolina roasting plant

April 9, 2007

SEATTLE — St. Matthews, S.C., has been named as the intended site of a new Starbucks Coffee Co. roasting facility. Construction on the approximately 150,00…

Q1 comps fall at Caribou Coffee

April 9, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Comparable-store sales at Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. shops fell 1 percent in the 13 week period ended April 1, the company announced. Caribou…