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.

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.