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…

Wingstop opened 300th store

August 2, 2006

DALLAS — Wingstop celebrated its 300th opening with an event at the new Lancaster, Calif., restaurant. The company believes it will open 500 restaurants by…

Canadian fast casual moving into the U.S.

August 2, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Canadian-born Mr. Greek chain is ramping up its franchise sales and crossing the border.   "Greek cuisine is right behind Italian…

Tony Roma's opens fast-casual unit

July 27, 2006

DALLAS — Tony Roma's has opened a fast-casual concept called "Fast & Casual." The first store opened in Wellington, Fla., on June 29.     The new…

Fast-casual Italian restaurant opens fifth store

July 27, 2006

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — Forklift Brands announced the opening of its fifth Go Roma Italian Kitchen in the Chicago area within the past two years.   "Go Roma…

Qdoba to open 300th store

July 27, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill will open its 300th store July 31. The store will be in Bloomington, Ind., near Indiana University.   According to a news…

Passport Restaurants looks for more capital to grow fast-casual brands

July 26, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passport Restaurants Inc., a restaurant holding company, announced plans to raise a second round of capital to complete its acquisition and…

Panera signs area development agreements with existing franchisees

July 25, 2006

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Panera Bread is proving to the restaurant world it's not finished expanding.   The St. Louis bakery café recently announced area…

Noah's Bagels expands in Washington

July 25, 2006

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — New World Restaurant Group Inc., headquartered in Golden, Colo., announced the opening of a new location Noah's Bagels on Mercer…

City Wok opens first franchise unit, more planned

July 24, 2006

PALM DESSERT, Calif. — City Wok, a fast-casual Chinese concept, opened its first franchised location July 24.

Baker Bros signs area developer in Arkansas

July 20, 2006

DALLAS — Baker Bros. American Deli, a fast-casual concept headquartered here, has executed an exclusive area development agreement with Lawrence and Sherry…

Qdoba Mexican Grill signs agreement with husband and wife team

July 20, 2006

DENVER — Qdoba Mexican Grill's president and chief executive officer Gary Beisler announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Z-Topeka LLC for Topeka…

Costa Vida hires former Lone Star executive as president

July 18, 2006

LAYTON, Utah — Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill hired Jeff Bracken as its president and chief operating officer.   According to a news release, Bracken will…