EXIT41 names Chet Barnard CEO

January 17, 2011

Exit41, a provider of social ordering solutions for the restaurant industry, has announced the appointment of seasoned business executive Chet Barnard as its…

Starbucks super sizes coffee lineup

January 17, 2011

Starbucks Corp. is unveiling a new cup size that will take beverage consumption to stratospheric heights. The company's new "Trenta" will be able to hold 91…

Zoës Kitchen names new COO

January 16, 2011

Zoës Kitchen has announced the appointment of Kevin Miles to chief operating officer, a new position for the company.

Seven operating principles come 2011

By Lori Walderich

Consumers looking for differentiation, value

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 13, 2011

A new study by Chicago-based Technomic shows that even as consumers are expected to loosen their purse strings in 2011, finding a good value from the casual…

Getting the police to do something

I heard the complaint again today. The local police are not responding. The crime was a theft of a deposit from the safe of a small restaurant. An officer took…

Togo’s Sandwiches names Rand Ferris VP of operations

January 12, 2011

Togo’s Sandwiches, with more than 242 franchised restaurants, has named Rand Ferris vice president of operations. In his new position, Ferris will assume all…

Massachusetts restaurants prep for food allergy law

January 12, 2011

As of Feb. 1, all Massachusetts restaurants will be required to have a certified food protection manager on staff.

Daphne’s Greek Café undergoes name change, brand overhaul

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 12, 2011

As outlined last year when Daphne’s Greek Café was purchased by Trefethen Advisors LLC, the chain has undergone a complete brand overhaul and will debut a new…

Top That! Pizza inks multi-state deal

January 12, 2011

In a push to enter the small fast casual pizza segment, Lori Walderich -- chief creative officer at IdeaStudio -- and her husband Jeff recently founded Top…

Quiznos layoffs double original report

January 12, 2011

Less than a week after announcing it was laying off about 69 employees at its Denver-based headquarters, Quiznos is now expected to cut even deeper.

Panera Bread prepares to open third pay-as-you-go

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 11, 2011

A Panera Bread location in Northeast Portland, Ore., was closed Jan. 11 to transition into the company's third pay-as-you-go restaurant. The store will reopen…

Study: More dining out, smaller checks in 2011

January 11, 2011

Good news first: Americans are expected to dine out more in 2011. Not-so-good news: it's predicted they'll spend about 5 percent less per meal while doing so.

Brinker alum named Denny's CEO

January 10, 2011

Denny’s Corporation has announced the appointment of John C. Miller to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2011. Miller…

NRA appoints EVP of political advocacy

January 9, 2011

Rob Gifford has been named executive vice president of political advocacy for the National Restaurant Association, effective Feb. 7. In this role, he will work…

Quiznos headquarters issues pink slips

January 9, 2011

Just three months after naming Greg MacDonald as its new CEO, Quiznos has laid off about 70 employees at its Denver-based headquarters.

Panda Restaurant Group picks talent management provider

January 6, 2011

Panda Restaurant Group Inc. has tapped Taleo Corporation to provide its on-demand talent management solutions for recruiting, onboarding, assessments and…

Jamba Juice launches line of probiotic yogurt beverages

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

January 6, 2011

Jamba Juice has announced the launch of its Jamba Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends made with Jamba's specially formulated Probiotic Boost. The beverages…

U.S. Foodservice breaks ground on $24M distribution center

January 5, 2011

U.S. Foodservice-Albuquerque broke ground on a $24 million distribution center that will enable the company to provide better service to customers throughout…

Red Mango 2010: Record growth

January 5, 2011

Red Mango has announced a record year of expansion in 2010 that included the awarding of franchise agreements totaling 147 locations. The company also opened…