Fast Casual gears up for Summit '08

Second annual gathering to spotlight economic woes, branding opportunities.

Nothing But Noodles to offer happy hour

July 27, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nothing but Noodles participating locations throughout the United States are now offering happy hour discounts on appetizers and…

Panera shares drop after Q2 earnings report

July 27, 2008

Associated Press: Shares of Panera Bread Co. July 23, 2008, fell $2.26, to end at $48.74, after the bakery/cafe operator cautioned investors not to expect…

Einstein Noah to host earnings conference call

July 27, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. will release its 2008 second quarter financial results after market close Aug. 6, 2008, and will follow…

Quiznos bread supplier closes shop

July 24, 2008

9News.com: Gerards, a bread supplier to chains such as Quiznos, shut down operations early Thursday, leaving several restaurants in the Denver area without…

Chipotle comps up 7%

July 23, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Pei Wei comps dip 3%

July 23, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. has reported its financials for the second quarter ended June 29, 2008.

Panera revenue jumps 27%

July 23, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread company-owned same-store sales increased 6.5 percent for the second quarter ended June 26, 2008, while comps for franchise-owned…

Spiedie Bistro opens in southern Pa.

July 22, 2008

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — New fast-casual restaurant, Spiedie Bistro, has opened in Phoenixville, Pa., 30 miles west of Philadelphia.   Spiedie Bistro evolved from…

Starbucks workers protest closings, join union

July 21, 2008

St. Paul Business Journal: A week after Starbucks announced it would shutter more than 600 locations nationwide, workers at the company's Mall of America store…

Organic To Go launches Washington, D.C., catering program

July 21, 2008

WASHINGTON — Organic To Go is launching its catering service in Washington, D.C., to herald the grand opening of the brand's East Coast debut. The catering…

Fazoli's to sell or sublease Central Fla. locations

July 17, 2008

Orlando Business Journal: Nine Fazoli's Restaurant locations in Central Florida are for sublease or sale, as the Lexington, Ky.-based chain plans to sell off…

Clay Dover named Raising Cane's president, CMO

July 16, 2008

BATON ROUGE, La. — Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, has named Clay Dover president and chief marketing officer of the 70-unit…

Penman Square Market opens in Fla.

July 16, 2008

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Executive chef Craig Dion has opened Penman Square Market and Cafe in Jacksonville Beach, which serves lunch and dinner along with…

Organic To Go continues Washington, D.C., expansion

July 15, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has acquired the Marvelous Market café at 4832 Bethesda Ave. in Bethesda, Md. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Marvelous…

Buffalo Wild Wings to host Q2 Webcast

July 14, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. will conduct a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2008 results July 29, 2008, at 4 p.m. Central Daylight…

Daphne's Greek Cafe plans Wash. expansion

July 14, 2008

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Cafe has announced plans to expand the company's chain of restaurants to Washington with the opening of two locations there.

Maui Wowi to open in Turkey

July 14, 2008

DENVER — Maui Wowi Hawaiian has announced it has signed a master franchise agreement with ALOHA ALOHA Ltd. Co., an affiliate of TUNC Group, to bring Maui Wowi…

NexCen Brands acquires Bill Blass Couture

July 13, 2008

NEW YORK — NexCen Brands Inc. has announced that through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NexCen Fixed Asset Company LLC, it has completed a purchase agreement…

Pick Up Stix names VP of finance

July 13, 2008

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Pick Up Stix restaurants has announced the promotion of Rich Fox to vice president of finance.   Fox began his career with Pick Up Stix…