UPDATE: Focus welcomes Moe's to the family

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 11, 2007

Raving Brands bids adieu to its flagship Moe's Southwest Grill.

New World Restaurant Group plans to go public

April 10, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc. has filed a registration statement relating to a proposed public offering of up to $125 million of its common…

Focus Brands to Acquire Moe's

April 10, 2007

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the fast-casual chain Moe's Southwest Grill from Atlanta-based Raving Brands. …

Wingstop posts 1Q earnings

April 5, 2007

DALLAS — Fast-casual chain Wingstop announced April 5 that first quarter same-store sales increased 17 percent for the first quarter ended April 1.    The…

Midwest region ripe for franchise growth

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 5, 2007

Fast casuals are looking toward the international market for franchise growth, but Penn Station East Coast Subs is taking a more domestic approach.

Moe's franchisees file suit against parent

April 4, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A group of Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees from Georgia and Tennessee filed suit against parent company Raving Brands. Among the…

Earl of Sandwich, Urban League partner

April 4, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. — Fast-casual chain Earl of Sandwich has entered into an agreement with the National Urban League that awards the organization two franchise…

Fuzion Food Group hires new VP, executive chef

April 3, 2007

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Menu Development executive chef Andy Revella has joined Fuzion Food Group as its executive vice president of technical services and…

Extreme Pita includes nutritional info with receipts

April 1, 2007

San Diego Business Journal: Extreme Pita restaurants in San Diego and Orange counties in California have begun printing nutritional information on customer…

Baskin-Robbins gears up for expansion

March 29, 2007

The Patriot Ledger (Boston): Ice-cream vendor Baskin-Robbins plans to open 1,600 stores within the next for years, company officials said. The bulk of the…

C.O. Jones hires expansion consultant

March 28, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — C.O. Jones Mexican Restaurant has retained Indianapolis-based MZD Restaurant and Retail Development to assist with the expansion of new…

Starbuck to invade Poland

March 28, 2007

Houston Chronicle: Starbucks Corp. has signed a deal with the AmRest restaurant group to open Starbucks locations in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Cold Stone Creamery to open first China shop

March 25, 2007

Shanghaiist: Ice cream vendor Cold Stone Creamery will open its first outlet in mainland China on April 23. The company plans to open 105 stores in China over…

Extreme Pita targets northern California for expansion

March 22, 2007

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Canadian franchise Extreme Pita has opened its newest restaurant at Auto Mall Parkway and Hugo Street in Fremont, Calif. The opening is…

Raving Brands inks Canada, Middle East expansion deals

March 11, 2007

ATLANTA — Raving Brands announced March 12 plans to bring its flagship concept, Moe's Southwest Grill, to Canada.     According to a news release, Raving…

Methodical growth key to successful franchise expansion

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

March 7, 2007

Penn Station subs prefers the slow and steady approach in the race for franchise success.

Subway introduces "fit" menu

March 7, 2007

MILFORD, Conn. — The Subway restaurant chain is introducing new "fit" menu items on March 12 in its restaurants across the country.   The new Subway Fresh…

Desert Moon Rises

March 7, 2007

While Qdoba and Chipotle started in the West, and Moe's Southwest Grill set up camp in the South, Desert Moon planted its roots smack in the middle of New…

Firehouse Subs eyeing Las Vegas expansion

February 26, 2007

Las Vegas Business Press: Fast-casual sandwich chain Firehouse Subs is planning to open 25 sandwich shops in the Las Vegas area over the next five years…

Quiznos franchisees claim continued struggles

February 26, 2007

New York Times: A group of Quiznos franchisees filed suit in Michigan Feb. 23 seeking class-action status over grievances including franchise fees and…