Smashburger opens second Calgary location

June 21, 2012

Smashburger is opening its second location in Calgary, Canada, on June 27, following the May 2012 launch of its first-ever Canadian restaurant, also in Calgary.

Podcast highlights FastCasual.com Top 100, annual benchmark report

FastCasual.com launched its 2012 Top 100 Movers & Shakers in the company's first quarter, along with its annual Fast Casual State of the Industry Benchmark…

Seattle's Best expands commuter concept in NY

June 21, 2012

Seattle's Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation, has announced that its commuter-centric concept menu will be featured in a new Brooklyn, N.Y., franchise…

Burger King, Cosi franchisee implements PCI security solution

June 21, 2012

C.R. Restaurant Inc., a multi-unit franchisee in the quick-serve and fast casual market, has implemented SecureConnect managed security solutions in all 30 of…

The next steps of a soon-to-franchise restaurant company

by Harold Kestenbaum — Partner, Gordon & Rees, LLP

In my last blog, I discussed what to do once you decide to franchise your restaurant. Now that you've taken those next steps, where do you go from here? The…

JJ's Red Hots plans first opening

June 19, 2012

JJ’s Red Hots will bring its handcrafted, chargrilled hot dogs and sausages to Charlotte, N.C.

Wingstop to fly into Oregon

June 19, 2012

Wingstop has announced that the 515-unit chain has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open 12 new restaurants throughout the state of Oregon.

Starbucks broadens Latin American presence

June 19, 2012

Starbucks Coffee Company has reaffirmed its commitment to Latin America with two major openings -- its first store in Costa Rica, and its first Farmer Support…

Togo's opens in Arizona

June 18, 2012

Togo’s Eateries, Inc. has announced the opening of its newest restaurant in Gilbert, Ariz.

Franchise lending up 6 percent year over year

June 18, 2012

Lending to franchise businesses saw a drop of about 0.5 percent from April to May, according to the monthly Franchise Lending Index from the International…

Yogurtland opens in NYC

June 14, 2012

California-based frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland will unveil its first store in the state of New York in late-July/early-August on First Avenue in Manhattan.

Wingstop names former Pizza Inn leader as CEO

June 13, 2012

The Wingstop Board of Directors has announced that Charles Morrison has been named president and CEO of the company. Morrison replaces James Flynn who becomes…

Tom & Eddie's marks 1-year anniversary

June 12, 2012

Tom & Eddie's is celebrating one year since its Deerfield, Ill., restaurant first opened on June 15, 2011.

Fast casuals dominate Forbes' list of up-and-coming chains

June 11, 2012

Forbes' recently published a list of "10 great restaurants you haven't heard of – yet," which included mostly fast casual brands.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill expands into D.C./Baltimore market

June 8, 2012

Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced the company's expansion into the Washington, D.C./Baltimore market. Garbanzo is planning to open five…

Raving Brands wins lawsuit against former Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees

June 8, 2012

On April 17, 2012, Richard W. Story, federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, entered judgment against a group…

Togo's signs 10 new agreements in the West

June 8, 2012

Togo's Eateries Inc. has signed 10 agreements for new restaurants in California, Nevada and Oregon. Additionally, three new Togo's have opened thus far in 201…

Burger 21 kicks off Atlanta expansion effort

June 8, 2012

Burger 21 announced that it has signed a two-unit franchise deal in Atlanta as it targets the market for growth and opens additional territories for…

Freshii expanding Middle East footprint

June 7, 2012

Freshii is targeting prime markets in the Middle East region for further expansion. The first Middle East Freshii location opened in 2009 in the Dubai…

Fazoli's names new VP, franchise development

June 7, 2012

Fazoli's has added Craig Sherwood to lead its nationwide franchising effort. Sherwood, who previously directed Yum! Brands' non-traditional franchise…