Chipotle comps up on price increases

October 22, 2008

DENVER — Comparable-store sales at Chipotle Mexican Grill increased 3.1 percent for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, the company announced. Year-to-date comps…

Panera net up 15 percent in Q3

October 21, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Comparable-store sales at Panera Bread increased 3 percent in company-owned stores and 3.5 percent in franchised stores for the quarter ended Sept.

Coalition advocates uniform nutritional info

October 21, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new coalition has announced that it will support federal legislation that provides consumers with detailed nutrition information in…

NC restaurant operator acquires 18 Qdoba locations

October 20, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — QCarolina Restaurants LLC has acquired 16 Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant in North Carolina and two in Tennessee.   QCarolina Restaurant…

Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita opens in Houston

October 19, 2008

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita have opened a co-branded restaurant in Houston. The new unit, which features the foods of both Papa…

Rubio's Restaurants receives unsolicited buyout offer

October 19, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Fresh Mex restaurant operator Rubio's Restaurants Inc. has received an offer from San Diego Kelly Capital to buy all of the company's…

Wingstop plans northeast expansion

October 16, 2008

DALLAS — Fast casual chicken wing chain Wingstop has announced plans to focus its expansion efforts on the Northeast U.S., including New Jersey, Pennsylvania…

Chipotle schedules third quarter earnings call

October 15, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will hold a conference call on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the company's third quarter earnings for…

NRA: U.S. restaurant climate toughest since '91

October 15, 2008

Reuters: The National Restaurant Association has said that U.S. restaurants are enduring their toughest time in 17 years as tight credit and falling home…

California Tortilla intros election dishes

October 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fresh-Mex chain California Tortilla is offering a pair of politically-themed dishes in conjunction with the presidential election. The…

QSRs want slice of fast casual pie

Quick-serve restaurants move to upscale décor, menu to attract customers.

Spiedie Bistro intros new sandwich

October 12, 2008

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. — Fast casual concept Spiedie Bistro, which opened in July, has added a new sandwich to its menu. The Felson, Spiedie Bistro's version of…

Jamba adopts shareholders rights plan

October 9, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — The board of directors of Jamba Inc. has adopted a stock purchase rights plan as a means to ward off an unsolicited attempt to acquire the…

Saladworks store sets opening-day sales record

October 9, 2008

CONSHOCKEN, Pa. — The Oct. 1 debut of Saladworks' new 2,600 sq. ft. store  in Mount Larel, N.J., set a company record with more than $18,000 in gross sales. …

Firehouse Subs signs Coke deal

October 9, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Firehouse Subs has signed a multi-year beverage contract with The Coca-Cola Co., the company announced. Firehouse Subs will serve Coke…

JFK airport debuts self-order outlets

October 9, 2008

 

Chipotle to host earnings call

October 8, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will host a conference call on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern time to discuss third quarter financial results. Hosting the call…

Rumbi Island Grill to enter California market

October 8, 2008

SANDY, Utah — Rumbi Island Grill plans to enter the California market through an area development agreement with restaurateur Paulo Salgado.   The partnership…

Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana parent prelim Q3 comps down

October 7, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the parent company of Carrols Corp., which operates Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana and is the largest Burger…

Starbucks extending barista shifts

October 7, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Starbucks Corp. is revamping employee schedules so that fewer employees will work more hours at its shops, the company announced. The goal…