Panera Bread prepares to open third pay-as-you-go

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 11, 2011

A Panera Bread location in Northeast Portland, Ore., was closed Jan. 11 to transition into the company's third pay-as-you-go restaurant. The store will reopen…

Study: More dining out, smaller checks in 2011

January 11, 2011

Good news first: Americans are expected to dine out more in 2011. Not-so-good news: it's predicted they'll spend about 5 percent less per meal while doing so.

Brinker alum named Denny's CEO

January 10, 2011

Denny’s Corporation has announced the appointment of John C. Miller to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2011. Miller…

NRA appoints EVP of political advocacy

January 9, 2011

Rob Gifford has been named executive vice president of political advocacy for the National Restaurant Association, effective Feb. 7. In this role, he will work…

Quiznos headquarters issues pink slips

January 9, 2011

Just three months after naming Greg MacDonald as its new CEO, Quiznos has laid off about 70 employees at its Denver-based headquarters.

Panda Restaurant Group picks talent management provider

January 6, 2011

Panda Restaurant Group Inc. has tapped Taleo Corporation to provide its on-demand talent management solutions for recruiting, onboarding, assessments and…

Jamba Juice launches line of probiotic yogurt beverages

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

January 6, 2011

Jamba Juice has announced the launch of its Jamba Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends made with Jamba's specially formulated Probiotic Boost. The beverages…

U.S. Foodservice breaks ground on $24M distribution center

January 5, 2011

U.S. Foodservice-Albuquerque broke ground on a $24 million distribution center that will enable the company to provide better service to customers throughout…

Red Mango 2010: Record growth

January 5, 2011

Red Mango has announced a record year of expansion in 2010 that included the awarding of franchise agreements totaling 147 locations. The company also opened…

Beautiful Brands adds to growing portfolio

January 4, 2011

Beautiful Brands International has announced the addition of Kansas City-based cupcakery, Smallcakes, to its portfolio of restaurants to market and franchise…

Cereal Bowl pouring on digital menu boards

January 2, 2011

The Cereal Bowl restaurant chain recently announced that it has opened its first all-digital restaurant in New Brunswick, N.J. Its digital signage is comprised…

Potbelly rolls out Alteryx BI platform

January 2, 2011

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has implemented the Alteryx Geographic Business Intelligence technology platform to manage its sales processes and expansion strategy as…

Procedure relevancy - the army way

In our training classes, we often discuss customer service. It is ALWAYS about listening to the customer and then delivering more than they expect. Another…

Endurance, determination & training

by Paul Mcginnis — Vice President, Marketing, Ecolab Food Safety Specialties

It was my junior year in high school. I had always wanted to play basketball but due to a variety of circumstances did not have the chance… until now. I…

Private equity firm takes Noodles & Co. control

December 28, 2010

Broomfield, Colo.-based Noodles & Co. has sold a controlling stake in the chain to private-equity firm Catterton Partners.

Where do we go in 2011?

by Don Fox — CEO, Firehouse of America

This week, all across America, there are countless restaurant executives taking stock of how they and their companies performed in 2010. Even the casual…

Saladworks inks another Pennsylvania agreement

December 22, 2010

Saladworks has signed two new agreements with franchisees to further develop the Pennsylvania market.

2010: Fast Casual year in review

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Healthcare reform, bankruptcy protection and brand overhauls highlight a year full of the quintessential highs and lows.  

Einstein Noah completes multiyear deleveraging

December 21, 2010

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. announced that it has completed a multiyear period of deleveraging its balance sheet and will now re-allocate its available…

Pick Up Stix rings in 2011 with new owner

December 20, 2010

Carlson Restaurant Inc. has sold its 74-unit chain Pick Up Stix to Lorne Goldberg, principal of West Coast Capital.