The art of takeout packaging

March 30, 2006

Research shows that takeout packaging is just as important to consumers as the food. According to a recent Dixie Foodservice survey, 50 percent of consumers…

Austin loves Freebirds

March 29, 2006

Austin360: Freebirds World Burrito has developed a unique relationship with its clientele. The 15-year-old company — not from Austin — relies on a few simple…

Taco Del Mar brings aboard Subway franchisee for Minnesota and North Dakota

March 28, 2006

SEATTLE—Barry Maring of Northland Restaurant Group Inc. was selected to develop Taco Del Mar restaurants in North Dakota, Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

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.

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

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…

Chicago Tribune questions Chipotle stock

March 19, 2006

CHICAGO —  Chipotle's Mexican Grill Inc. became the target of a Chicago Tribune report March 18 that questioned the value of its share price following a week…

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…

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…

Wendy's may sell Baja Fresh

March 2, 2006

Wendy's International Inc. said it would consider selling its Baja Fresh Mexican Grill chain and speed up the spinoff of its Tim Hortons coffee-and-doughnut…

Moe's rolls out new burrito

February 28, 2006

ATLANTA —Moe's Southwest Grill is adding ground beef  burrito March 1. A news release said the new menu item will be in 280 Moe's locations after a 90-day…

NRA: 30 months of consecutive growth

February 28, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry continued to improve in January, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Same-store sales increase 7.9% for Qdoba

February 21, 2006

Qdoba Mexican Grill reported first quarter system same-store sales increased 7.9 percent on top of a 12.5 percent increase in 2005. Qdoba opened 23 company…

Taco Del Mar keeps on growing and growing

In 2005, Taco Del Mar grew from 111 restaurants to 189.

Chipotle's chef has his payday

January 29, 2006

Business Week: In 1993, Steve Ells opened Chipotle Mexican Grill, a "fast casual" eatery that served up made-to-order burritos and tacos to students at the…

Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers

January 25, 2006

It wasn't long ago that you had to look up the definition of "fast casual" to understand the meaning of this unique restaurant concept that is a hybrid of the…

The wrap on desserts Getting sweet on the flour tortilla

January 25, 2006

The low-carb craze has mellowed in recent months, and consumers are enjoying sandwiches wrapped in tortillas more than ever. In fact, tortillas make up 3…

Una Mas Mexican Grill reinvigorates brand

January 24, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Una Mas Mexican Grill, the California-based, 22-unit fast-casual restaurant chain announced the introduction of a reinvigorated menu and…