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…

Desert Moon announces franchising plans; challenges other fresh-Mex concepts

July 17, 2006

ORLANDO — Desert Moon, a fresh-Mexican restaurant based in New York, has announced it will franchise beyond the Northeast. The company recently signed area…

Zoup! Is du jour

Who would have thought a fast-casual soup concept would be so successful?

Investors purchase Fresh Bakery Café

July 11, 2006

Charlotte Biz Journal: A group of Charlotte investors has purchased the Just Fresh Bakery Café & Market chain with the goal of adding as many as 1…

Tijuana Flats signs N.C. franchisee

July 10, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando-based Tijuana Flats has signed 20th franchisee, P.J. Moore of Jacksonville, N.C.   According to a news release, Moore plans to expand…

The perfect plot of land

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

What is the best fast-casual real estate?

Panda Express opens first military location

June 29, 2006

Panda Express is celebrating the opening of their first military base location on July 5 at Edwards Air Force Base. In honor of both the opening and…

Taco Del Mar signs Tampa developer

June 26, 2006

SEATTLE —Taco Del Mar announced it signed Mike Taylor and Ben Sabo of Tampa-based 2 Jens Group LLC as its regional master developer. According to a news…

Franchise operators sue Subway

June 26, 2006

Reuters: Worldwide franchisees of Subway sandwich shops filed suit against the chain's founder Fred DeLuca and the franchisor Doctor's Associates Inc. on June…

Fast-casual barbecue ready for the big leagues

June 25, 2006

The Courier Journal: FireFresh BBQ is a new fast-casual concept that is set to expand with backing from the former president of Papa John's and that chain's…

Penn Station sets expansion plans

June 22, 2006

CINCINNATI — Penn Station East Coast Subs announced an expansion plan that calls for 120 additional locations.   Development markets include major cities in…

Fast-casual pizza operation sets lofty growth goals

RedBrick Pizza is a slick, solid fast-casual concept. But can it grow from 60 pizza restaurants to 12,000 in just 10 years?

Rubio's acquires four locations from Vegas franchisee

June 19, 2006

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill announced the purchase of four Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants in Las Vegas from its franchisee Fish…

Pollo Campero creates new logo, prepares for expansion

June 18, 2006

GUATEMALA CITY — Pollo Campero announced the introduction of a new logo in the United States.   "We hired Advance Design Center headquartered in Dallas to…