Panera Bread to open its 1,000th store

November 6, 2006

Panera Bread Company will open its 1,000th Panera Bread bakery-cafe today. Panera executives, franchisees and media will attend an opening celebration in Oak…

Penn Station is steadily growing

November 5, 2006

Cincinnati Enquirer: The president of Penn Station Inc. says his fast-casual restaurant group will never seek growth for the sake of growth.   "The faster you…

Democrats take the House

There's a slew of restaurant-related issues that will be impacted by the 2006 election.

Raving Brands hires first CFO

November 1, 2006

ATLANTA — Raving Brands, an Atlanta-based fast-casual dining restaurant developer, has elevated Tom Hermann to senior vice president and chief financial…

New York Burger Co. set for franchising

October 26, 2006

NEW YORK — New York Burger Co., an all-natural QSR with two stores, has announced franchising plans.   According to a news release, Michael Seid of MSA and…

Spicy Pickle files for IPO

October 26, 2006

Spicy Pickle soon may become the smallest publicly traded company in the restaurant industry.   The 15-unit fast casual filed with the U.S. Securities and…

Buffalo Wild Wings is on fire

From sales to marketing to product quality, everything seems to be clicking for Buffalo Wild Wings. But how long will this momentum last?

Taco Del Mar signs development deal with former Subway owner

October 24, 2006

SEATTLE — Taco Del mar has signed a master development agreement with a former Subway multiunit operator with 12 years of QSR experience.   Terri Turner and…

Fast-casual franchising: Is your chain ready?

You don't want to franchise too quickly.  Most experts say to wait at least five years before announcing franchising plans.    

Dunkin' Brands to sell Togo's

October 22, 2006

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Brands Inc. plans to sell Togo's Eateries Inc., the restaurant chain specializing in fresh sandwiches, salads and soups.   Trinity…

Fazoli's acquired by Sun Capital

October 19, 2006

Sun Capital Partners has acquired Fazoli's Restaurants for an undisclosed amount.   Effective immediately, former McDonald's executive Robert Weissmueller…

Moe's Southwest Grill to open Hawaii first store

October 12, 2006

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill will open its first restaurant on the Hawaiian Islands in early November.    "We couldn't be more excited to be opening a…

Wendy's to sell Baja Fresh for $31M

October 11, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio— Wendy's International Inc. announced a definitive agreement to sell the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain to a West Coast restaurant…

Minnesota fresh-Mex concept acquired and set for regional expansion

October 11, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — An independently owned and operated fast-casual concept called Baja Sol has been acquired by a group of Minnesota businessmen. The group said it…

Panera Bread to buy 13 franchise stores for $15.3M

October 10, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread will spend $15.3 million to buy 13 franchised bakery-cafés and the area development rights for certain markets in Iowa, Nebraska and…

Rumbi Island Grill opens fifth Colorado store

October 9, 2006

BOULDER, Colo. — Rumbi Island Grill, a tropical fast-casual concept, is opening its fifth restaurant in Colorado.   Rumbi Island Grill's menu offers gourmet…

Pyrogrill announces franchising plans

October 8, 2006

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pyrogrill, a fast-casual restaurant, has announced franchising plans.   Michael Curcio, 29, is the chief executive and founder of…

Former Butterball president buys Mr. Goodcents franchises

October 5, 2006

DeSOTO, Kan — Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc. announced that Dean Falk, former president and chief executive of Sylvest Farms and former president of…

Le Petit Bistro inks 20-unit development deal

October 3, 2006

ATLANTA — Bistro Foods Inc., the Atlanta-based restaurant franchisor of the Le Petit Bistro concept, signed its first multiunit area development agreement…

Emerging Concept: City Bites is ready to roll

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Blevins brothers created this fast-casual concept. Now they're prepared to take their sandwich chain national.