Fazoli's looks to change for sales boost

June 12, 2007

Lexington Herald-Leader: Eight months after Fazoli's was bought by investment firm Sun Capital Partners, the new management is working to boost sales and put…

Fazoli's owners unveil changes

June 10, 2007

Kentucky Herald-Leader: Sun Capital Partners, which bought Italian fast-casual chain Fazoli's eight moths ago, is working to put the chain back on a growth…

Fazoli's intros new menu

April 26, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fazoli's Italian restaurants are introducing a new guest-driven menu featuring four crisp "Italian Market Salads" and a guest requested…

zpizza is hot, healthful and growing

February 21, 2007

zpizza slices out a niche in fast casual with healthful pizza.

California Pizza Kitchen comps, revenue increase

February 15, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Same-store sales at California Pizza Kitchen Inc. increased 6.9 percent for the 2006 fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. For fiscal year 2006, comps…

Go Roma opens 7th location

February 1, 2007

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Go Roma Italian Kitchen is slated to open its newest location in Oak Brook, Ill., Feb. 6 at the Oak Brook Promenade.   According to a news…

Pizza operators develop fast-casual concepts

Following the trend: Several pizza players are jumping on the fast-casual bandwagon.

Go Roma Italian Kitchen opens first Indiana location

November 21, 2006

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Go Roma Italian Kitchen, owned by Forklift Brands, opened its first Indiana store Nov. 21.   "We are very excited to bring Go Roma, our…

Go Roma Italian Kitchen opens first Indiana store

November 8, 2006

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Forklift Brands announced the opening of Go Roma Italian Kitchen in Merrillville, Ind., on Nov. 21.   The store will be the sixth Go Roma…

Cosi says it will open 80 stores in 2007

November 8, 2006

Editor's note: Cosi reported third-quarter same-store sales dropped 4.2 percent.   Globe News: Though Cosi Inc. reported a loss of almost $2 million in its…

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?