Don't try this at home

by Janet Eden-Harris — CMO & SVP Strategy, Market Force

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting Jerry Calabrese for a Fast Casual webinar. For those that missed it, Jerry recently retired from McDonald’s where he…

Flippin’ Pizza signs new franchisee in Maryland

June 27, 2011

Flippin' Pizza, the 13-unit fast casual New York-style pizza concept, has signed a franchise agreement with foodservice veteran Brett Silver to transfer three…

Schlotzsky’s gains growth momentum

June 23, 2011

Schlotzsky’s has announced that it has signed 75 franchise agreements for a total of 25 restaurants that will each house the Schlotzsky’s, Cinnabon and Carvel…

Webinar: Think you can grow your restaurant sales using only financial metrics? Think again.

Financial numbers tell you what you’ve done. But to drive future same store sales growth, you need to know how each of your stores is operating, and what your…

Bruegger’s to develop Virginia Beach market

June 22, 2011

Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc. has announced a development agreement with Virginia Bagels LLC to open six bakeries in Virginia Beach, Va., and surrounding…

Tulsa-based FreshBerry, CherryBerry chains join forces

June 21, 2011

Beautiful Brands International (BBI), parent company of Tulsa-based FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt, has announced an agreement with owners of Tulsa-based CherryBerry…

Beautiful Brands signs 25-unit deal for Smallcakes

June 20, 2011

Beautiful Brands International has announced an agreement with multi-unit developers, Brad and Francy Bauer, to open 25 new Smallcakes A Cupcakery stores in…

BUBBA burger opens first BUBBA burger Grill

June 20, 2011

BUBBA burger, the No. 1 selling retail, frozen branded burger in America, has opened its first BUBBA burger Grill restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla. The…

Salsarita’s acquired by former McAlister’s CEO

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Former McAlister’s Deli president and CEO Phil Friedman has acquired the Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina restaurant chain. The chain has 80 stores across 19 states…

Fazoli’s ramps up franchise effort with new hire

June 19, 2011

With a new menu, new prototype and a new service style driving a sales turnaround, Fazoli’s has announced the addition of James Franks as vice president of…

Jamba Juice continues South Korean expansion

June 15, 2011

South Koreans now have a fifth Jamba Juice location to score their daily juice fixes. The store opened in Seocho, a popular residential and commercial district…

Quiznos signs major deal for Brazilian expansion

June 15, 2011

As part of Quiznos' international development initiative, the chain has signed a master franchise agreement that calls for the development of 200 restaurants…

Chicago welcomes Tossed

June 14, 2011

Tossed, home of garden fresh salads, crepe wraps and sandwiches, announced today the signing of a franchise agreement with a Chicago ownership team.

Starbucks lets Android users pay via phone

June 14, 2011

Portland store serves wine and beer.

Big Game Brands adds new fro-yo concept to portfolio

June 13, 2011

Atlanta-based Big Game Brands, formally Raving Brands, has added Cowlicks Yogurt and Floats to its portfolio.

Coal Burger concept heads to Texas

June 12, 2011

Just a few months after its launch, fast casual concept Coal Burger is set to open its second location in Woodlands, Texas's Town Center.

Saladworks signs multi-unit deal in Boston

June 9, 2011

Saladworks has announced an agreement with a multi-unit developer to open three stores over the next three years in Boston.

FREEBIRDS: Halfway to 100

June 8, 2011

FREEBIRDS World Burrito has announced the June 15 opening of its latest restaurant in Ventura, Calif., marking the company’s 50th location overall.

Au Bon Pain launches rebranding initiative

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 7, 2011

In conjunction with the acceleration of its national expansion strategy, 318-unit Au Bon Pain is launching a major café remodeling program. Under this…

Fast casual success: How Wingstop rose above the competition

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

To build a strong ROI, Wingstop executives built in four pillars for success.