Technomic report: Fast casual chains grew 10% in 2008

May 12, 2009

CHICAGO — According to a new report by foodservice consultants Technomic, sales for the Top 100 fast casual chains grew 10.8 percent, totaling $16.7 billion…

Fazoli's names new marketing, purchasing VPs

May 4, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fazoli's has added two restaurant-industry veterans to its management team, the company has announced.   Monte Jump has been named vice…

Seven top fast casual independent operations

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

From Kansas City to New York City, these independent operations are changing the fast casual landscape.

New Summit to focus on modern pizza business

April 15, 2009

As more fast casual operators open pizzeria concepts, those executives may find it useful to attend the first Pizza Executive Summit, slated to be held June…

Pat & Oscar's promotes three

April 7, 2009

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Pat & Oscar's Restaurants has announced the promotion of three managers to the company's senior leadership team.   Jim Konstantinides…

Coming to America

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

March 26, 2009

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

HR Practices

Find, hire and retain the best employees you'll ever have.

2007 Fast Casual Restaurant Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Chipotle stays ahead of the pack.

Presented by FastCasual.com

Noodles & Co. adds meatballs and spaghetti

March 18, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Noodles & Co. has announced the introduction of Spaghetti & Meatballs on menus at the concept's Ohio locations.   The five meatballs…

Fast casuals top Greenopia's eco-ratings for restaurants

March 16, 2009

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Greenopia has announced that it has released the Green Industry's most comprehensive ratings for restaurants. Available on the…

Pat & Oscar's signs first franchise partner

February 18, 2009

SAN DIEGO — Pat & Oscar's Restaurants has announced it has unveiled its first-ever franchise partner program and has signed a deal with its first…

NAPICS 2009 to serve operator tips

North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show to offer info on staying profitable in tough times.

zpizza signs Seattle development deal

February 2, 2009

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — zpizza has finalized its contract with franchisee Ritu Shah-Burnham to open three new restaurants in Seattle. Ritu is focused on…

Pat & Oscar's under new ownership

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

President, EVP lead management buyout of the 19-unit San-Diego-based chain.

Mall restaurants expect traffic decline

November 19, 2008

The Wall Street Journal: As retail traffic fell 12.4 percent in October compared with last year, restaurant chains with a bulk of their locations in malls and…

RedBrick Pizza signs San Diego development deal

November 19, 2008

PALMDALE, Calif. — RedBrick Pizza Worldwide Inc. has signed an agreement with master developer Johnny Lee granting Lee the right to develop up to 42 RedBrick…

Arizona Fazoli's close

September 15, 2008

ABC15: Fazoli's restaurants in Arizona have suddenly closed their doors. The only indications of the closures are signs on restaurant doors.   Click to…

Pat & Oscar's expands Italian menu with meatballs

September 8, 2008

SAN DIEGO — As the first of several seasonal-themed promotions, Pat & Oscar's is adding meatballs to its menu offerings. The items are part of the…

Pat & Oscar's relocates corporate HQ

August 25, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Pat & Oscar's Restaurants has relocated its corporate headquarters to Carlsbad, Calif., the company announced.    Previously…

R&I names top Consumers' Choice chains

August 19, 2008

CHICAGO — Restaurants & Institutions has announced the winners of its 28th annual Consumers' Choice in Chains study. The award winners are selected by a…