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…

First Watch Restaurants expand to Cleveland

March 12, 2006

BRADENTON, Fla.—Specializing in unique breakfast, brunch and lunch dining, First Watch Restaurants Inc. is entering the Cleveland market. The…

Alterra Coffee owns Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee has created a cult-like following within the large Midwestern town.

Randy Moss joins Inta Juice

March 12, 2006

BATON ROUGE, La. — Inta Juice announced Randy Moss's increased involvement as an owner of Inta Juice stores. Moss, NFL player and Inta Juice executive, will…

Port City Java same-store sales rise 12% in Feb.

March 9, 2006

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Port City Java Coffeehouse Cafes announced its comparable same-store corporate sales for Feb. increased 12.2 percent. According to a news…

Bruegger's assists Feed the Children

March 9, 2006

BURLINGTON, Vt. — With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner and the luck of the Irish in the air, Bruegger's bakeries nationwide are gearing up for their…

Panera system-wide sales up 7.9%

March 8, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported Wednesday its system-wide bakery-café sales increased 7.9 percent for the five weeks ended Feb. 28.   The St.

Chef Bruno partners with Tri-Star Systems

March 8, 2006

MIAMI—Tri-Star Systems, creator of QSR Chick-N-Grill, announced Chef Bruno has joined the company to develop and franchise a new family-friendly Italian…

El Pollo Loco places new Spanish commercials

March 6, 2006

IRVINE, Calif.— El Pollo Loco Inc. unveiled the first of four new Spanish television commercials from its Hispanic advertising agency of record, Los…

Let's Dish! expands

March 5, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Let's Dish! announced a franchise area development agreement with Cherry Hill, N.J.-based LD Philly to franchise 11 Let's Dish! retail meal…

Seattle's Best to open on Marine facility

March 5, 2006

Stars & Stripes: Seattle's Best Coffee will open a store at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.   The goal is to "create a relaxing, European-style coffee…

Starbucks to serve breakfast sandwiches

March 5, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks announced its creating a breakfast menu. In its hometown cafes, Starbucks tested toasty egg and cheese sandwiches three years ago. …

Experts create the first virtual brand

Camp Out Grill is not real. For now, it's a virtual brand.