Former Burger King CEO signs on with UK-based LEON

February 12, 2012

Brad Blum, the former CEO of Burger King and Olive Garden Italian Restaurants, has joined the board of LEON, a London-based restaurant concept, as an investor…

Cosi signs on industry veteran as consultant

February 9, 2012

Cosi Inc. has entered into an agreement with Brad Blum, owner of BLUM Growth Fund, to provide consulting services related to branding, product development…

Panera Bread to intensify drive-thru operations

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

Catering sales and new menu item rollouts continue to contribute to revenue, same-store sales growth.

NRA announces Kitchen Innovation award winners

February 9, 2012

The National Restaurant Association has named the recipients of its 2012 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award, which recognizes cutting-edge kitchen equipment in the…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill forms growth partnership with Gemini Investors

February 8, 2012

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has announced a partnership with Wellesley, Mass.-based private equity firm Gemini Investors to grow the chain.

Beautiful Brands adds create-your-own sushi concept to portfolio

February 8, 2012

Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has announced the official franchise launch of its new fast casual concept, Sushi Freak. The create-your-own sushi concept…

Food fight: Combat rising costs with smarter hourly hiring

by Amanda Richardson — Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing, Snagajob

The restaurant industry is expected to grow this year, but realizing big profits will be a tall order in the face of rising food and labor costs.

NPD: Fast Casual only growth segment during down economy

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

According to The NPD Group, fast casual is the only restaurant segment continuing to grow throughout the current economic time, which has motivated chains in…

Fazoli's sets January sales record

February 7, 2012

Fazoli’s is off to a running start in 2012 with record same-store sales growth in January.

Energy efficiency project launched in California restaurants

February 7, 2012

A pilot project has been launched in California to promote energy and water efficiency at restaurants.

Commentary: Two McDonald's greats-listen and learn

By Erle Dardick

I Love Velvet intros restaurant solution

February 6, 2012

I Love Velvet, a hardware and software provider for the point of sale, announced its first product for the hospitality industry in the U.S. The first…

Make the final word your best

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

Each and every day, your restaurant team serves scores of customers. Your desire is to have every guest experience the very best of your brand, from the time…

Firehouse Subs restructures marketing team

February 5, 2012

Firehouse Subs has announced the promotions of several key marketing members, as well as additional talent following comparable sales increases since late…

Starbucks, Ai Ni Group partner on joint China coffee venture

February 5, 2012

As part of its ongoing efforts to help elevate the coffee industry in China’s Yunnan Province, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced that it has signed an…

Buffalo Wild Wings taps eSite for business intelligence solution

February 5, 2012

Business intelligence firm eSite has partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to help the restaurant chain expand beyond 1,000 locations by 2013.

Chipotle to open second ShopHouse, additional international locations

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Company discusses new HR software program that provides enhanced analytics to target potential new employees.

Einstein Noah marketing & brand leader to leave post

February 2, 2012

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, operating under the Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel brands, has announced that James P.

YO!Sushi to open U.S. locations

February 1, 2012

London-based YO!Sushi signed its first U.S. franchisee in 2011 and plans to open its first two American locations this year in Washington, D.C., with leases…

Asian Box to debut in San Francisco

February 1, 2012

San Francisco-based FK Restaurants & Hospitality will debut its fast casual Asian Box concept in Palo Alto, Calif., this month. The restaurant, inspired by…