First Coney Beach opens in Tulsa

July 1, 2007

TULSA, Okla. — Coney Beach, a retro, beach-inspired, gourmet hot dog and hamburger restaurant and the third fast-casual concept from Beautiful Brands…

Restaurant Performance Index holds steady

July 1, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained positive in May, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant…

Sweetgreen opens first Georgetown location

July 1, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Greens Restaurant Group LLC, a new enterprise founded by four Georgetown, Washington, D.C., grads, announced the opening of their first…

Dagwoods plans Atlanta expansion

June 28, 2007

ATLANTA — Dagwood's Sandwich Shoppes, a fast-casual sandwich concept inspired by the  'Blondie' comic strip character Dagwood Bumstead, have announced…

Atlanta Bread Co. adds cheesecake flavors

June 28, 2007

SMYRNA, Ga. — This summer season, Atlanta Bread Company has included some of its own unique flavorings to their list of cheesecake offerings. New…

Paradise Bakery plans expansion push

June 28, 2007

Arizona Republic: Paradise Bakery & Cafe said June 27 that it plans to nearly double the number of its restaurants by the end of 2008. The move comes seven…

Daphne's Greek Cafe to open 75th location

June 27, 2007

SAN DIEGO — Daphne's Greek Cafe has announced the upcoming opening of its 75th restaurant, to be located in Tustin, Calif.   In celebration of the grand…

Taco Del Mar signs deal with satellite radio

June 27, 2007

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Taco Del Mar has selected Applied Media Technologies Corporation to provide in-store music and commercial sound equipment for its…

Burke launches sliced meatballs

June 27, 2007

Nevada, Iowa — Burke Corporation, provider of fully cooked meat products, is launching a sliced version of its authentic tasting, traditional Italian-style…

Penn Station to add 5 Columbus locations

June 27, 2007

Cincinnati — Penn Station East Coast Subs has finalized expansion plans for 5 additional locations in the Columbus, Ohio, area, the company announced.   Penn…

NRA reacts to failed immigration bill

June 27, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The National Restaurant Association today expressed extreme disappointment in the Senate's failure to continue consideration of…

BBQ carves industry niche

Barbecue chains work to gain mainstream appeal. 

Organic To Go receives equity commitment

June 26, 2007

SEATTLE — Fast casual organic restaurant Organic To Go has received a $6.35 million equity commitment from institutional investors to help fund expansion for…

uWink files for stock offering

June 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Restaurant concept uWink Inc. has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed offering of up to…

KnowFat changes name

June 26, 2007

Blue MauMau: The owners of healthy fast casual restaurant franchise KnowFat are changing the restaurant's name to UFood Grill and are updating the menu and…

Garden Fresh president resigns

June 25, 2007

SAN DIEGO — David Qualls, longtime president and chief financial officer of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp., parent company of Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes…

Starbucks intros salad line, new summer beverage

June 25, 2007

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. has launched a new line of salads and snacks, as well Raspberry Mocha beverages, available June 26.     Starbucks has paired the…

Sandella's Flatbread to expand in California

June 24, 2007

REDDING, Conn. — Sandella's Flatbread recently closed a multi-unit franchising deal with Vahe and Harry Karamardian for the development of five new Southern…

uWink to expand in Canada

June 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES — uWink Inc., developer of digital media entertainment software and an interactive restaurant concept, has announced plans for the creation of…

Panera Bread purchases 32 franchise locations

June 21, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company announced June 22 that it has purchased 32 franchise-operated bakery-cafes and the area development rights for certain markets…