Fletcher named Smoothie King COO

March 2, 2008

NEW ORLEANS — Smoothie King Franchises Inc. has announced the appointment of Tom Fletcher to the position of chief operating officer.

Einstein Noah reports solid comps, revenue growth

March 2, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. announced strong results for the fourth quarter and year ended Jan. 1, 2008.   Comparable-store sales…

Restaurant index registers gain in January

February 28, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Restaurant industry performance edged up slightly in January as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant…

Boneheads sauces win 2008 Scovie Awards

February 27, 2008

ATLANTA — Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken recently was awarded three 2008 Scovie Awards for its signature Piri Piri sauces, the company has…

Shareholder class action filed against Panera Bread

February 27, 2008

RADNOR, Pa. — A class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, St. Louis Division, on behalf of all purchasers…

Tropical Smoothie appoints new VP of operations

February 25, 2008

DESTIN, Fla. — Tropical Smoothie Café has announced Mike Rotondo has joined the company as vice president of operations. Rotondo will provide guidance on…

Pollo Campero hires real-estate director

February 25, 2008

DALLAS — Pollo Campero has announced that Paxton Sandidge III has joined its U.S. headquarters as real-estate director. His mission is to support franchisees…

Poling joins Panchero's as franchise director

February 21, 2008

CORALVILLE, Iowa — Greg Poling has joined Panchero's Mexican Grill as the chain's director of franchise sales, the company announced.   Poling joins the…

Starbucks cuts 600 positions

February 21, 2008

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Corp. has laid off 220 employees nationwide — about 73 of them in Seattle — and will allow another 380 planned or current…

Virginia Barbeque, Business Advisers Int'l partner

February 21, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Barbeque founder Rick Ivey has selected Business Advisers International BAI as a partner to provide business coaching and advisory…

Q&A with Buffalo Wild Wings' Kathy Benning

February 19, 2008

The Buffalo Wild Wings' senior VP of marketing and brand development dishes about the chains growth strategy and overcoming obstacles.

Marble Slab celebrates 25 years

February 19, 2008

NEW YORK — In celebration of its 25-year anniversary, Marble Slab has introduced a line of nonfat and no-sugar-added frozen yogurts, announced parent…

Organic To Go closes $10 million placement

February 19, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to close a $10 million equity private placement made by Inventages Venture…

Caribou Coffee reports flat comps growth

February 17, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Company Inc. has reported flat comparable-store sales growth for the company's fourth quarter ended Dec. 30, 2007. Franchised…

Grocery sales boost operations

Operator partnerships with grocery, beverage giants prove profitable.

Chipotle revenue up 31%

February 14, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2007.   For the fourth quarter…

Bruegger's acquires Triangle Bagels and Bagel Factory

February 14, 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has announced that it has acquired Triangle Bagels Inc., a franchisee of 14 Bruegger's bakery-cafes in North…

Panera removes pizza from menu

February 13, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Inc. has reported the results of its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2007 sales, for the period ended Dec. 25, 2007.   For the quarter…

Dunkin' Donuts launches oven-toasted menu

February 12, 2008

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Donuts has launched a new, all-day oven-toasted menu, marking the most significant change to Dunkin' Donuts product lineup since the…

UFood concludes $8.9 million public offering

February 10, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the conclusion of a private offering that raised gross proceeds of $8.9 million.   The private offering of…