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…

Spicy Pickle acquires Bread Garden Urban Cafes

October 2, 2008

DENVER, Colo. — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has acquired Bread Garden Franchising Inc., the franchisor of the Bread Garden Urban Cafes, a chain of franchised…

Panera Bread opens first Canada location

October 1, 2008

TORONTO — Millennium Bread Inc. has opened Canada's first Panera Bread location in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill.   The new location is the first of…

Raising Cane's appoints CFO

September 30, 2008

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has appointed Carey Carrington as chief financial officer of the 70-unit chain.    Carrington will oversee…

From single-unit success to multiunit growth

The decision to develop a multiunit franchise may give an owner more control.

Smashburger expands into Ft. Collins, Colo.

September 24, 2008

DENVER, Colo. — Ft. Collins, Colo., will become home to the first Smashburger expansion outside of Denver. Smashburger, launched by private equity and concept…

Five Guys heads to Michigan

September 22, 2008

LIVONIA, Mich. — Fast casual burger restaurant Five Guys Burgers and Fries is expanding to Michigan, with three locations slated to open within the next few…

Raising Cane's to move staff to Dallas

September 22, 2008

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is moving the bulk of its administrative functions from Baton Rouge, La., to Dallas, the company…

Smashburger appoints Ryan McMonagle as CFO

September 22, 2008

DENVER — Fast casual burger concept Smashburger has appointed Ryan McMonagle as chief financial officer, the company announced. McMonagle was formerly vice…

Yogen Fruz to enter Aloha state

September 21, 2008

MARKHAM, Ontario — Yogen Früz has announced that is has signed a development agreement that will allow TRMOP LLC, a Honolulu-based master franchisee, to…

Elevation Burger lands in new markets

September 18, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elevation Burger locations are slated to open in three new markets, the company has announced.   Franchisee Danny Bone plans to open…

Elevation Burger blows into Baltimore

September 17, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elevation Burger has closed a deal with Alex Smith to bring three units to Baltimore, the company has announced.   Smith plans to open his…