Fast-casual franchising: Is your chain ready?

You don't want to franchise too quickly.  Most experts say to wait at least five years before announcing franchising plans.    

Post Baja Fresh: State of the fresh-Mex segment

The Mexican fast-casual category is doing just fine, insiders say. "Baja (Fresh) seems to be the only one having difficulties," one operator said.

El Pollo Loco introduces $5 reward card

October 17, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco is offering a free $5 reward card to every guest who purchases a family meal through Jan. 7.    Family meals come in several…

Moe's Southwest Grill to open Hawaii first store

October 12, 2006

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill will open its first restaurant on the Hawaiian Islands in early November.    "We couldn't be more excited to be opening a…

Chipotle free from McDonald's rule

October 12, 2006

McDonald's has fully divested its shares in 500-unit Chipotle Mexican Grill, a company it bought in 1998 when it was 15 units strong.   McDonald's grew to…

Wendy's to sell Baja Fresh for $31M

October 11, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio— Wendy's International Inc. announced a definitive agreement to sell the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant chain to a West Coast restaurant…

Minnesota fresh-Mex concept acquired and set for regional expansion

October 11, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — An independently owned and operated fast-casual concept called Baja Sol has been acquired by a group of Minnesota businessmen. The group said it…

El Pollo Loco withdraws IPO

October 11, 2006

El Pollo Loco Holding Inc. withdrew its $135 million initial public offering with underwriter Bank of America.   "El Pollo Loco's decision not to execute an…

Former Rubio's CEO takes over fruit smoothies company

October 9, 2006

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Sheri Miksa, the former chief executive officer for Rubio's Restaurants, has accepted the CEO position at Robeks Corporation, a…

Pyrogrill announces franchising plans

October 8, 2006

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pyrogrill, a fast-casual restaurant, has announced franchising plans.   Michael Curcio, 29, is the chief executive and founder of…

Freebirds World Burrito intros new menu and apparel line

October 2, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas — Freebirds World Burrito announced the release of a new menu and apparel line.   The re-vamped menus, printed on 100 percent recycled paper…

Moe's Southwest Grill launches fan video contest

October 1, 2006

ATLANTA — Fans of Moe's Southwest Grill have a chance to win burritos for life by creating videos centered on the theme, "A Moe's Burrito in Every Hand." …

Desert Moon rises over Indiana

September 24, 2006

South Bend Tribune: Desert Moon, a fast-casual fresh-Mex concept, is expanding in Indiana. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant seats about 38 and has outside…

Chipotle, Panera appeal to Whole Foods crowd

September 21, 2006

Madison Times: While Whole Foods isn't often thought of as a restaurant, it has been drawing in hordes of customers hungry for its organic offerings. It leads…

Red Door Interactive to manage Internet presence for Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill

September 19, 2006

SAN DIEGO — Red Door Interactive, an Internet presence management agency, announced today that it was selected by Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill to manage and…

Fast casual takes off in Louisville

September 18, 2006

Courier Journal: The fast-casual scene is taking off in Louisville, Ky.   Former U.S. KFC president Don Doyle is the franchisee for all six Qdoba restaurants…

Chipotle challenged by Florida farmworkers

September 14, 2006

The Denver Post: A coalition of Florida farmworkers is targeting Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Denver burrito chain that has built a reputation for using…

McDonald's commences Chipotle exchange offer

September 7, 2006

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's Corp. has commenced an offer of its remaining shares of Chipotle class B common stock.   The company said the exchange should…

El Pollo Loco rolls out Grilled Chicken Nachos

September 5, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco is rolling out freshly prepared Grilled Chicken Nachos.   According to a news release, the nachos feature citrus-marinated…

Chipotle operator wins over students with free food

August 30, 2006

Journal and Courier: The restaurant handed out burritos, tacos and soft drinks to a mostly Purdue University student crowd that at times stood in a line more…