'Hidden compliance cost:' Restaurants with 50+ full-time employees must start ACA reporting in 2015

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Though not mandated to offer health care coverage to employees until 2016, restaurants with 50 or more full-time employees are still required to track data…

TooJay's appoints new CEO

November 12, 2014

Jim Vinz, formerly the president and co-CEO of Le Duff America, will oversee expansion of the Florida-based company, which currently has 26 locations.

Zoe's Kitchen buys three franchise units, announces Q3

November 11, 2014

In addition to acquiring three units in Louisiana, Zoe's Q3 comps will range between 5.7 percent and 5.9 percent.

COO: Newk's riding high on 'second wave' of fast casual

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Jim Greco, newly-appointed COO of Newk’s Franchise Company, sees an opportunity for the chain to supplant early leaders like Panera thanks to culinary-driven…

Fuddruckers same-store sales decline 4.6% in Q4

November 10, 2014

Luby's combo locations, which feature Fuddruckers and Luby's Cafeteria at one property location, were up 5.1 percent in Q4.

Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks have their eyes on dinner

November 10, 2014

Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks are reportedly planning to crash dinner in the New Year. According to The Street, the brands will introduce more "dinner-friendly…

Four ways the game has changed for restaurant brands

Nimbleness, dynamic customer relationships, customization and millennial insights are all key to brand success, says FOCUS Brands CEO Steve DeSutter.

Noodles & Company makes incremental progress in Q3

November 7, 2014

Noodles & Company announced that same-store comps increased 1.7 percent system-wide.

Fiesta Restaurant Group reports increases for Q3

November 6, 2014

Fiesta Restaurant Group, parent company of the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, reported comp growth for both brands in Q3 2014.

Juice It Up! reports sales, AUV gains in Q3

November 6, 2014

Juice It Up! reported a same-store sales increase of 11 percent year-over-year in Q3 2014, and an average unit volume increase of 12 percent.

Forever Brands merges with Falafill

November 6, 2014

The merger kicks off a year of growth for the combined brands, which hope to add 35 new units throughout Chicagoland in the next year.

Potbelly sales increase 0.5 percent in Q3

November 6, 2014

Same-store sales remain down 1.1 percent year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

Jamba Juice same-store sales jump by 3.8 percent in Q3

November 6, 2014

Jamba Juice attributed the increase to strong performance by its fresh squeezed juice and whole food blending platform.

Macaroni Grill adds 'fast casual format' lunch counter

November 4, 2014

Macaroni Grill announced the launch of Romano's Kitchen Counter, a fast casual format, at more than 130 locations nationwide.

Canadian concept not named Tim Hortons or Starbucks plans to be ‘coffee authority’

November 3, 2014

Canadian-based The Second Cup coffee concept has announced a three-year strategic plan that seems to put Starbucks, Tim Hortons and McDonald’s in the…

No traffic, no problem: Starbucks plans to take the coffee to the customer in 2015

October 31, 2014

Consumers are staying away from brick and mortar stores in favor of online shopping, slowing traffic growth in Starbucks' stores. Starbucks is navigating the…

Four reasons digital screens are more than menu boards

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Engaging digital signage can be a key differentiator in the customer experience by educating guests about menu items, driving craving, reducing perceived wait…

NRA: Restaurant Performance Index showed moderate decline in September

October 31, 2014

Restaurant operators are unimpressed about the direction of the economy.

sweetFrog names new CMO

October 31, 2014

Matt Smith will lead planning, development, implementation and measurement of all sweetFrog marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public…

Sales up, margins down as Panera continues 2.0 transformation

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

October 30, 2014

Comps for company stores increased 2.1 percent and 0.7 percent for franchise stores while margins declined 2 percent due to food costs and costs related to…