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.    

Fazoli's acquired by Sun Capital

October 19, 2006

Sun Capital Partners has acquired Fazoli's Restaurants for an undisclosed amount.   Effective immediately, former McDonald's executive Robert Weissmueller…

Little Caesars and Detroit Tigers celebrate with pizza

October 19, 2006

DETROIT — With the Detroit Tigers going to the World Series, Little Caesars is celebrating baseball and pizza.   The Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is also the…

Restaurant design: Fast casuals need more than a good décor

If the interior design does not complement the menu, the look is a lost cause — especially in fast casual.

Legendary pizzerias bet on fast-casual makeovers

Shakey's Pizza and Papa Gino's Pizza are getting new names and makeovers to strengthen their positions in the growing fast-casual dining segment.

Restaurant design: Fast-casual look attracts customers

Donatos and Panera add to their brand with an attractive exterior design.  

Fast-casual Italian restaurant opens fifth store

July 27, 2006

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — Forklift Brands announced the opening of its fifth Go Roma Italian Kitchen in the Chicago area within the past two years.   "Go Roma…

Passport Restaurants looks for more capital to grow fast-casual brands

July 26, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passport Restaurants Inc., a restaurant holding company, announced plans to raise a second round of capital to complete its acquisition and…

Taco Del Mar signs Tampa developer

June 26, 2006

SEATTLE —Taco Del Mar announced it signed Mike Taylor and Ben Sabo of Tampa-based 2 Jens Group LLC as its regional master developer. According to a news…

Fast-casual pizza operation sets lofty growth goals

RedBrick Pizza is a slick, solid fast-casual concept. But can it grow from 60 pizza restaurants to 12,000 in just 10 years?

European fast casual moves to the U.S.

June 13, 2006

WASHINGTON — Vapiano is a German-based fast-casual concept and it is moving to the United States. Specializing in Italian food with a European flair, the…

2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

Consumers rate Wendy's over McDonald's

May 15, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, consumers prefer Wendy's food over McDonald's and pizza over burgers.  In addition…

Pesto Bistro launches new Web site

April 24, 2006

Pesto Creative Italian Bistro announced the launch of its Web site, PestoBistro.com. The new site includes menu items, boasting an array of Italian Gelato…

Analyst believes pizza helped Panera

April 19, 2006

Reuters: In a recent report, Morgan Keegan analyst Bob Derrington wrote that Crispani pizzas sold at Panera Bread Co. make up about 12 percent of the chain's…

Noodles & Company CEO relinquishes post, becomes chairman

April 19, 2006

Denver Biz Journal: Noodles & Company founder and chief executive Aaron Kennedy has traded his chief executive post for that of chairman, a Denver Biz…

Q1 comps rise 6.4% at California Pizza Kitchen

April 11, 2006

LOS ANGELES— California Pizza Kitchen reported its comparable-restaurant sales increased approximately 6.4 percent for the period ended April 2, versus an…

Organic foods surge through restaurants

April 11, 2006

  NEW YORK — A new study shows the use of organic foods is growing in the foodservice market.   According to "Organic on the Menu: Healthy Eating Trends in…

New report tracks menu trends

April 6, 2006

CHICAGO —The latest Trend Tracker report, a companion to the online, searchable Menu Monitor service offered by Technomic Information Services, offers a new…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…