Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.

Rumbi Island Grill opens in Arizona

April 2, 2006

AZcentral.com: A fast-casual restaurant that offers South Pacific, Caribbean and island food is preparing to debut its first Southeast Valley location in…

Nolan Ryan and 'the Rocket' invest in Earl of Sandwich

April 2, 2006

Houston Business Journal: A group of investors including Don Sanders, founder and chairman of Sanders Morris Harris, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and seven-time…

Boston Market begins Internet contest

March 30, 2006

DENVER — Boston Market wants to see what people would do with their extra time. The Web site MyExtraHour.com is an interactive site designed to invite…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Panda Express considers new service models

March 30, 2006

No one has to tell Panda Express that Asian food is growing in popularity. With more than 800 locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan…

The art of takeout packaging

March 30, 2006

Research shows that takeout packaging is just as important to consumers as the food. According to a recent Dixie Foodservice survey, 50 percent of consumers…

First Watch expands in Florida

March 29, 2006

BRADENTON, Fla. — First Watch Restaurants Inc. entered the southeast Florida market with its new Plantation location March 27.    First Watch serves…

Austin loves Freebirds

March 29, 2006

Austin360: Freebirds World Burrito has developed a unique relationship with its clientele. The 15-year-old company — not from Austin — relies on a few simple…

BBC interviews QSRweb.com and FastCasual.com

March 29, 2006

After McDonald's closed more than a dozen stores in London, the BBC interviewed QSRweb.com and Fast Casual Magazine editor Fred Minnick. He discussed…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Taco Del Mar brings aboard Subway franchisee for Minnesota and North Dakota

March 28, 2006

SEATTLE—Barry Maring of Northland Restaurant Group Inc. was selected to develop Taco Del Mar restaurants in North Dakota, Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

El Pollo Loco parent late filing annual report

March 27, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., reported preliminary results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Dec.

Taco Del Mar inks Southern Cal. deal

March 21, 2006

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar said it's signed a deal with Ranbir Singh of Kirpal Group to sell franchises and develop up to 40 franchises in San Bernardino and…

Quiznos sells stake to J.P. Morgan

March 20, 2006

DENVER — Quiznos Master LLC, the operator or franchisor of more than 4,500 Quiznos Sub locations worldwide, said Monday that J.P. Morgan Partners LLC would…

March Madness by the wing

Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop and Wing Zone target sports fans. The three top wing chains are attempting to draw the March Madness crowd, young male…

Cosi reports $6 million fourth-quarter net loss

March 15, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported Wednesday evening a fourth-quarter net loss of $6.04 million compared with a net loss of $6.58 million during the same…

Chipotle shares jump 12%

March 14, 2006

Chipotle Mexican Grill shares jumped 12 percent March 14 just a day after the fast-casual restaurant chain unveiled strong quarterly results in the first…

Chipotle fourth-quarter revenues jump 36%

March 13, 2006

DENVER—Chipotle Mexican Grill, in its first public financial report, turned in a fourth-quarter profit to reverse last year's loss. The fast-casual chain said…

Chipotle opens 500th store

March 12, 2006

DENVER—The March 10 opening of a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Fairview Park, Ohio, marked the 500th restaurant for the Denver-based burrito chain. "When I…