Desert Moon rises over Indiana

September 24, 2006

South Bend Tribune: Desert Moon, a fast-casual fresh-Mex concept, is expanding in Indiana. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant seats about 38 and has outside…

Fast casual takes off in Louisville

September 18, 2006

Courier Journal: The fast-casual scene is taking off in Louisville, Ky.   Former U.S. KFC president Don Doyle is the franchisee for all six Qdoba restaurants…

Camille's Sidewalk Café creates holding company to develop more brands

September 17, 2006

TULSA, Okla. — Camille's Sidewalk Café announced the creation of Beautiful Brands International (BBI), a restaurant holding company that will develop…

Au Bon Pain names franchisee of the year

September 13, 2006

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain recently awarded its top franchisees for their contributions to the company. The awards and recipients include:   Franchisee of the Year…

ARAMARK to open fast-casual chain

September 13, 2006

PHILADELPHIA — ARAMARK Healthcare announced it will open the Soluna Café & Bakery, its first brand of free-standing, fast-casual restaurants, later this…

Emerging concept: FireFresh BBQ

Former Papa John's president and CEO leads fast-casual barbecue chain into a market that's smokin'

McAlister's Deli inks Denver development deal

September 11, 2006

DENVER — McAlister's Deli has signed a multiunit development deal with an existing franchisee here.   According to a news release, Southern Deli LLC, a…

Lenny's signs New Mexico franchisee

September 10, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lenny's Franchisor LLC, franchisor of Lenny's Sub Shops, announced plans to open 15 restaurants in New Mexico.   Eat Subs LLC, led by Nat…

Passport Restaurants seeking $10M for fast-casual development

August 24, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passport Restaurants Inc., a restaurant holding company, announced that it has retained a New York investment banking firm to assist the…

Buffalo Wild Wings inks seven area development agreements

August 23, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings, named one of the top-10 fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States by Technomic, signed seven area development…

Major franchise group signs Panera agreement in Arizona

August 21, 2006

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Panera Bread announced a new agreement with Dennis and Shane Hitzeman and Tom McDonald to develop bakery cafés in the south Phoenix…

Tijuana Flats expands in Pittsburgh

August 20, 2006

Pittsburgh Business Journal: Franchisee Tom Flanagan will open five Tijuana Flats locations throughout the Pittsburgh metro area and one in Butler County.

Raving Brands eyes Baltimore real estate

August 18, 2006

Baltimore Business Journal: Raving Brands, the parent of several fast-casual concepts such as Moe's Southwest Grill and Shane's Rib Shack, will be developing…

Mexican Restaurants acquires Houston-based fresh-Mex concept

August 17, 2006

HOUSTON — Mexican Restaurants Inc. has acquired Mission Burritos, a two-unit Houston-based restaurant company, and related assets, for $725,000 in cash. The…

Qdoba opens first Oklahoma City location

August 17, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill opened its first Oklahoma City location Aug. 1.   DCW Investments signed an agreement for the Oklahoma City area in Sept. 2005.

Airport security measures hardly impact store sales

  Panda Express and Starbucks do not anticipate major bumps. But some experts say it's too early to judge.  

Chipotle displaces Baja Fresh in Pittsburgh market

August 10, 2006

Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh's ongoing burrito binge is officially about to get an extra helping.  Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill has made…

Bar-B-Cutie creates franchisee-store standards

August 9, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bar-B-Cutie, a fast-casual barbecue concept, said single-unit franchise sales have doubled in the past three months. To ensure franchisees…

FireHouse Subs to open shop in Arizona

August 7, 2006

Arizona Business Gazette: Firehouse Subs, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based chain, has announced plans to open its first Phoenix location. It currently has 23…

Raving Brands looks to corner Indy market

August 3, 2006

Indianapolis Star: Senior executives of Raving Brands have been in Indianapolis this summer, meeting with prospective franchise buyers for some of the…