Smooth sailing for Tropical Smoothie Cafe

New president works to improve communication with franchisees.

Rubio's announces third quarter conference call

October 30, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Restaurants Inc. will host a conference call on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Pacific time to discuss third quarter 2008 results. The company…

Smashburger hires former Leeann Chin president

October 30, 2008

DENVER — Smashburger has named Greg Creighton to its executive management team, the company announced. Creighton will be responsible for growing the company's…

Shane's Rib Shack tweaks election-day promo

October 30, 2008

ATLANTA — Shane's Rib Shack is changing its previously announced Election Day promotion to a Celebrate American Democracy Day.  One free "Celebrate America…

Caribou Coffee announces executive changes

October 29, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Company Inc. has announced several changes to the company's executive team.   Daniel J. Hurdle is joining the company as the…

Sonoma Chicken Coop lands in New York

October 28, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Fast casual chain Sonoma Chicken Coop has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with business partners Mitchell Segal and Golan Zinger and…

Peet's net up 11 percent

October 28, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Revenues at Peet's Coffee & Tea increased 12 percent to $68.5 million for the company's third quarter ended Sept. 28, compared with…

Buffalo Wild Wings revenue up nearly 30 percent

October 27, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Same-store sales at Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants increased 6.8 percent at company-owned locations and 2.1 percent at franchised locations for…

Bailout bill bonuses

Economic bailout package offers some tasty tax tidbits for fast casual operators.

Jittery Joe's names operations VP

October 26, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. — Café chain operator Jittery Joe's Franchising LLC has named Kim Collins to the post of vice president of operations.   Collins formerly served…

Starbucks employees head to New Orleans

October 26, 2008

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Starbucks' annual leadership meeting begins today in New Orleans. The meeting, behing held outside of Seattle for the first time…

Chipotle comps up on price increases

October 22, 2008

DENVER — Comparable-store sales at Chipotle Mexican Grill increased 3.1 percent for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, the company announced. Year-to-date comps…

Panera net up 15 percent in Q3

October 21, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Comparable-store sales at Panera Bread increased 3 percent in company-owned stores and 3.5 percent in franchised stores for the quarter ended Sept.

Coalition advocates uniform nutritional info

October 21, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new coalition has announced that it will support federal legislation that provides consumers with detailed nutrition information in…

NC restaurant operator acquires 18 Qdoba locations

October 20, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — QCarolina Restaurants LLC has acquired 16 Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant in North Carolina and two in Tennessee.   QCarolina Restaurant…

Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita opens in Houston

October 19, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita have opened a co-branded restaurant in Houston. The new unit, which features the foods of both Papa…

Rubio's Restaurants receives unsolicited buyout offer

October 19, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Fresh Mex restaurant operator Rubio's Restaurants Inc. has received an offer from San Diego Kelly Capital to buy all of the company's…

Wingstop plans northeast expansion

October 16, 2008

DALLAS — Fast casual chicken wing chain Wingstop has announced plans to focus its expansion efforts on the Northeast U.S., including New Jersey, Pennsylvania…

Chipotle schedules third quarter earnings call

October 15, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will hold a conference call on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the company's third quarter earnings for…

NRA: U.S. restaurant climate toughest since '91

October 15, 2008

Reuters: The National Restaurant Association has said that U.S. restaurants are enduring their toughest time in 17 years as tight credit and falling home…