McDonald's Europe set to overtake Starbucks with McCafes

May 26, 2009

The Financial Times: McDonald's is aiming to overtake Starbucks as Europe's biggest coffee chain, with plans to open several hundred McCafé stores selling…

Smoothie King signs multiunit agreements in Egypt and Turkey

May 17, 2009

NEW ORLEANS — Smoothie King Franchises Inc. has signed an agreement with the Amer Group, an Egyptian real estate development and hospitality company, to open…

Spicy Pickle's Bread Garden cafe set for expansion

April 19, 2009

DENVER — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has announced its plans to expand the company's Vancouver, B.C.-based Bread Garden Urban Café chain.   Spicy Pickle CEO…

Wingstop expands into Mexico

April 8, 2009

DALLAS — Wingstop has announced its first international franchise agreement for 10 restaurants in the State of Mexico and Mexico DF over the next two years. …

Starbucks to open first store in Poland

April 7, 2009

WARSAW, Poland — Starbucks Coffee International Inc. and American Restaurants Sp. z o.o., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmRest Holdings N.V., will celebrate the…

Intura Solutions signs agreement for European distribution

March 31, 2009

ARLINGTON, Texas — Intura Solutions LP, manufacturer of point-of-sale and enterprise management software, has announced that it has signed a distribution…

Starbucks begins UK launch of instant coffee

March 31, 2009

SEATTLE — The initial launch of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew into select London Starbucks coffeehouses has begun, the company has announced.    The UK launch…

Coming to America

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

March 26, 2009

The U.S. adventures of a European fast casual.

NRA readies for 2009 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show

March 25, 2009

CHICAGO — The 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will be held this year May 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.   This year's…

Muslim cleric calls for Starbucks ban

March 10, 2009

Badgett's Coffee Journal: An Egyptian cleric has called for a boycott of Starbucks throughout the Arab world. The coffee giant's mermaid logo is a…

Atlanta-based chains make inroads in Middle East

February 5, 2009

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Atlanta-based restaurant groups, AFC Enterprises, Church's Chicken and Focus Brands, continue to add outlets in the Middle East.

Camille's opens five cafes in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates

January 21, 2009

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International has announced international growth of its brand, Camille's Sidewalk Café, with the opening of five new cafes in…

Starbucks, McDonald's targets of boycotts

January 12, 2009

BNET: Worldwide protests of recent Israeli actions against the Gaza Strip include boycotts, often targeting U.S. food corporations that are perceived to be…

Fatburger opens first Dubai location

December 1, 2008

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.'s Fatburger unit has opened its first Middle East restaurant at The Dubai Mall, the company…

Burger chain The Counter headed down under

November 5, 2008

Australian Food News: American burger chain The Counter, which allows customers to build their own burgers, is opening a location in Sydney in December.   It…

Nothing but Noodles expands to Canada

October 26, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Fast casual noodle concept Nothing but Noodles has signed a deal to enter the Canadian market in 2009.   Partners Suresh Patel and Sachin…

Juan Valdez throws down the gauntlet

October 19, 2008

Houston Chronicle: The Juan Valdez Cafe chain plans to add 500 coffee shops across the United States, Latin America and Europe by 2010, adding to its existing…

Spicy Pickle acquires Bread Garden Urban Cafes

October 2, 2008

DENVER, Colo. — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has acquired Bread Garden Franchising Inc., the franchisor of the Bread Garden Urban Cafes, a chain of franchised…

Panera Bread opens first Canada location

October 1, 2008

TORONTO — Millennium Bread Inc. has opened Canada's first Panera Bread location in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill.   The new location is the first of…

Starbucks rolls out Doubleshot Espresso drinks in Japan

September 30, 2008

TOKYO — Starbucks Coffee Co. and Suntory Ltd. have announced plans to launch Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso Doppio and Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso Con Panna…