UPDATE: Focus welcomes Moe's to the family

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 11, 2007

Raving Brands bids adieu to its flagship Moe's Southwest Grill.

New World Restaurant Group plans to go public

April 10, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc. has filed a registration statement relating to a proposed public offering of up to $125 million of its common…

Starbucks Coffee Korea net drops

April 10, 2007

The Korea Times: Starbucks Corp. suffered its first drop in net profit last year in Korea due to increasing operating costs and contributions to society, the…

Focus Brands to Acquire Moe's

April 10, 2007

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the fast-casual chain Moe's Southwest Grill from Atlanta-based Raving Brands. …

High time for tea

Flavors and brands bloom as beverage popularity grows.  

Panera drops Jay's chips

April 9, 2007

Chicago Sun-Times: Panera Bread Co. has pulled chips from Jay's Foods Inc. from its stores, officials from the snack-food company told employees last week.

Starbucks to build South Carolina roasting plant

April 9, 2007

SEATTLE — St. Matthews, S.C., has been named as the intended site of a new Starbucks Coffee Co. roasting facility. Construction on the approximately 150,00…

Q1 comps fall at Caribou Coffee

April 9, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Comparable-store sales at Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. shops fell 1 percent in the 13 week period ended April 1, the company announced. Caribou…

14th E. coli case found, restaurant remains closed

April 9, 2007

O.C. Register: A new case of E. coli linked to a Souplantation restaurant has been identified, bringing to 14 the total number of people who have tested…

Caribou Coffee lawsuit could become class-action

April 8, 2007

Associated Press: Lawsuits filed on behalf of former and current Caribou Coffee managers have received a boost.   A federal magistrate judge recommends they…

Chipotle to use natural-raised chicken in Colorado locations

April 8, 2007

DENVER — Starting April 16, Chipotle Mexican Grill will serve only naturally raised chicken at its Colorado restaurants.   With the addition of naturally…

Wingstop posts 1Q earnings

April 5, 2007

DALLAS — Fast-casual chain Wingstop announced April 5 that first quarter same-store sales increased 17 percent for the first quarter ended April 1.    The…

Midwest region ripe for franchise growth

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 5, 2007

Fast casuals are looking toward the international market for franchise growth, but Penn Station East Coast Subs is taking a more domestic approach.

Moe's franchisees file suit against parent

April 4, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A group of Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees from Georgia and Tennessee filed suit against parent company Raving Brands. Among the…

Organic To Go posts FY results

April 4, 2007

SEATTLE — Irvine, Calif.-based SP Holding Corporation, dba Organic To Go, the nation's first fast-casual cafe certified as an organic retailer, reported…

NCR finance chief hired as Starbucks CFO

April 3, 2007

Associated Press: NCR Corp.'s Chief Financial Officer Peter Bocian has resigned after 24 years with the company. He will step down May 11 and is expected to…

STRANGE NEWS: Chicago Quiznos hosts coyote

April 3, 2007

Digital50.com: A Chicago Quiznos received a visit from an unusual guest - a wild coyote.   The restaurant hosted the coyote, affectionately named Adrian by…

Fuzion Food Group hires new VP, executive chef

April 3, 2007

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Menu Development executive chef Andy Revella has joined Fuzion Food Group as its executive vice president of technical services and…

Quiznos appoints new EVP, chief legal officer

April 3, 2007

DENVER — Richard J. Emmett has joined the Quiznos team as its executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective May 1.   "Rich brings a wealth of…

Panera reports 1Q earnings

April 3, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Same-store sales at Panera Bread Company decreased 0.2 percent for the first quarter ended March 27, the company announced April 4.   Company-owned…