NC restaurant operator acquires 18 Qdoba locations

October 20, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — QCarolina Restaurants LLC has acquired 16 Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant in North Carolina and two in Tennessee.   QCarolina Restaurant…

Rubio's Restaurants receives unsolicited buyout offer

October 19, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Fresh Mex restaurant operator Rubio's Restaurants Inc. has received an offer from San Diego Kelly Capital to buy all of the company's…

California Tortilla intros election dishes

October 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fresh-Mex chain California Tortilla is offering a pair of politically-themed dishes in conjunction with the presidential election. The…

Baja Fresh moves into retail with Bluesun Corp.

October 12, 2008

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has an agreement with California-based Bluesun Corp. to offer a line of Baja Fresh Salsas, the company…

Chipotle to host earnings call

October 8, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will host a conference call on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern time to discuss third quarter financial results. Hosting the call…

Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana parent prelim Q3 comps down

October 7, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Carrols Corp., which operates Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana and is the largest Burger…

Baja Fresh opens Express locations

October 6, 2008

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has opened the first two locations of its newest concept, Baja Fresh Express, the company announced.   The…

Caught in the crisis

Economic conditions batter the industry, but operators insist quality still key.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

October 6, 2008

Finding success with a high-energy concept.

California Tortilla launches double-point Mondays

October 5, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fresh Mex chain California Tortilla is giving customers the chance to double "Burrito Elito" loyalty card points on purchases every Monday…

Qdoba reveals candidates' food personalities

September 30, 2008

DENVER — A new study conducted by Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, on behalf of Qdoba Mexican Grill…

Chipotle seeks LEED certification for new restaurants

September 30, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to open a "green" restaurant in Gurnee, Ill., which features a six-kilowatt wind turbine on-site that will generate a…

Chipotle looks for new ad agency

September 21, 2008

AdWeek: Chipotle Mexican Grill is searching for a new ad agency after its split with Denver-based DeVito/Verdi. Chipotle CEO Steve Ells said the company was…

California Tortilla to celebrate 13 years

September 17, 2008

ROCKVILLE, Md. — California Tortilla is celebrating its 13th birthday Sept. 24, with an open-to-the-public party in all of its stores.   The first 50 customers…

Chipotle CEO addresses Q3 results

September 11, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has announced a preliminary view of third quarter results. Details for the full three-month period ending Sept. 30, 2008…

Taco Del Mar names new president

September 9, 2008

BlueMauMau: Taco Del Mar's co-founder has stepped down as the company's CEO and chairman. Kevin Hansen, chief operations officer, will lead the company in the…

Overcoming HR woes

How major brands are tackling the challenge of hiring and retention.

Moe's intros grain-fed pulled pork

September 3, 2008

ATLANTA — Grain-fed pulled pork is joining marinated grilled chicken, steak, tofu, ground beef and fish to become the sixth protein option at Moe's Southwest…

California Tortilla in effort to save Superman landmark

September 1, 2008

WASHINGTON D.C. — Fast casual chain California Tortilla has partnered with bestselling author Brad Meltzer launch his new philanthropic website…

Moe's opens 400th location

August 25, 2008

ATLANTA — On Aug. 28, 2008, Moe's Southwest Grill will open its 400th location in Plant City, Fla.   The Plant City Moe's will be the seventh location for…