Focus Brands names Russ Umphenour as president, CEO

November 10, 2008

ATLANTA — Focus Brands Inc. has named Russ Umphenour president and chief executive officer, the company announced. Former CEO Steve Romaniello has been named…

Salad Creations debuts diabetes-friendly meals

November 6, 2008

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — In recognition of National Diabetes Month, Salad Creations, VitaZest Water and the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation have teamed up to…

Burger chain The Counter headed down under

November 5, 2008

Australian Food News: American burger chain The Counter, which allows customers to build their own burgers, is opening a location in Sydney in December.   It…

Rita's Italian Ice named in Top 50 Franchises for Minorities

November 4, 2008

TREVOSE, Pa. — Rita's Italian Ice, an Italian ice chain with more than 500 stores in 17 states, has been designated one of the top 50 franchises for minorities…

Smashburger hires former Leeann Chin president

October 30, 2008

DENVER — Smashburger has named Greg Creighton to its executive management team, the company announced. Creighton will be responsible for growing the company's…

Sonoma Chicken Coop lands in New York

October 28, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Fast casual chain Sonoma Chicken Coop has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with business partners Mitchell Segal and Golan Zinger and…

Sandella's signs Boston expansion deal

October 28, 2008

WEST REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread Café has closed an area development agreement with Five Mikes LLC, to bring 25 locations to the Boston metro area…

Nothing but Noodles expands to Canada

October 26, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Fast casual noodle concept Nothing but Noodles has signed a deal to enter the Canadian market in 2009.   Partners Suresh Patel and Sachin…

Jittery Joe's names operations VP

October 26, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. — Café chain operator Jittery Joe's Franchising LLC has named Kim Collins to the post of vice president of operations.   Collins formerly served…

FreshBerry expanding to Inland Empire of California

October 23, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café has signed a franchise agreement that will produce at least three FreshBerry stores in the Inland Empire region…

Smashburger signs East Coast franchise deal

October 22, 2008

DENVER — Fast casual burger chain Smashburger has secured its first franchisee and "Founders Club" member, Jersey City, N.J.-based Mascott Corp. The company…

Quiznos franchisees feel recession pain

October 21, 2008

Advertising Age: While the recession and banking crisis have hurt the entire restaurant industry, some Quiznos franchisees claim to have been…

Panera net up 15 percent in Q3

October 21, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Comparable-store sales at Panera Bread increased 3 percent in company-owned stores and 3.5 percent in franchised stores for the quarter ended Sept.

NC restaurant operator acquires 18 Qdoba locations

October 20, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — QCarolina Restaurants LLC has acquired 16 Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant in North Carolina and two in Tennessee.   QCarolina Restaurant…

Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita opens in Houston

October 19, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita have opened a co-branded restaurant in Houston. The new unit, which features the foods of both Papa…

Wingstop plans northeast expansion

October 16, 2008

DALLAS — Fast casual chicken wing chain Wingstop has announced plans to focus its expansion efforts on the Northeast U.S., including New Jersey, Pennsylvania…

Rumbi Island Grill to enter California market

October 8, 2008

SANDY, Utah — Rumbi Island Grill plans to enter the California market through an area development agreement with restaurateur Paulo Salgado.   The partnership…

Caught in the crisis

Economic conditions batter the industry, but operators insist quality still key.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

October 6, 2008

Finding success with a high-energy concept.

Freshberry expanding to East Coast

October 2, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café has signed a franchise agreement to develop at least two FreshBerry stores in South Carolina. This agreement…