Cold Stone Creamery to open in China and Taiwan

November 15, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery, a fast-casual ice cream concept, has reached an agreement with the President Chain Store Corp. to open 105 stores in…

Au Bon Pain to open 200 units

November 15, 2006

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain said it will add 200 units to the chain through expansion into Kuwait and Thailand.   The company has signed master franchise agreements…

Forklift Brands opens first Boudin SF in the OC

November 8, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO — Forklift Brands has announced that the company's newest venture, bakery café Boudin SF, will open its debut location in Orange County's…

Go Roma Italian Kitchen opens first Indiana store

November 8, 2006

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Forklift Brands announced the opening of Go Roma Italian Kitchen in Merrillville, Ind., on Nov. 21.   The store will be the sixth Go Roma…

Cosi says it will open 80 stores in 2007

November 8, 2006

Editor's note: Cosi reported third-quarter same-store sales dropped 4.2 percent.   Globe News: Though Cosi Inc. reported a loss of almost $2 million in its…

Panera Bread celebrates its 1,000th bakery café

The rest of the industry is chasing us, said Panera's CEO.

El Pollo Loco signs agreements for 61 new locations

November 6, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. – El Pollo Loco inked a series of multiunit development agreements to open 61 new locations in Georgia, Missouri, Arizona, Virginia and Utah.…

Maui Tacos inks deal for 50 new franchises

November 6, 2006

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Maui Tacos, the fast-casual fresh-Mex restaurant, has signed a development agreement with Lava Flow Ventures of Sacramento, Calif., to…

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…