Caught in the crisis

Economic conditions batter the industry, but operators insist quality still key.

Starbucks under fire for water usage

October 5, 2008

Herald Sun (Australia): Starbucks is being criticized by environmental groups after a report in a British newspaper alleged the company wasted millions of…

Spicy Pickle acquires Bread Garden Urban Cafes

October 2, 2008

DENVER, Colo. — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has acquired Bread Garden Franchising Inc., the franchisor of the Bread Garden Urban Cafes, a chain of franchised…

Organic To Go opens flagship Seattle location

October 1, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic fast casual chain Organic To Go has opened a flagship café in Seattle, which features an open-market feel and a larger footprint than other…

Captain D's selects Envysion as video provider

October 1, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Captain D's has begun rolling out Louisville, Colo.-based Envysion Inc.'s Managed Video as a Service system in its restaurants.   Envysion…

New Caribou Coffee management to host investor call

September 30, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. has announced that Michael J. Tattersfield, the company's newly-appointed president and chief executive officer, and…

Red Mango names CFO

September 30, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Yogurt chain Red Mango has named Mark J. Archer chief financial officer, the company announced. Archer will be responsible for all aspects of Red…

Raising Cane's appoints CFO

September 30, 2008

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has appointed Carey Carrington as chief financial officer of the 70-unit chain.    Carrington will oversee…

Chipotle seeks LEED certification for new restaurants

September 30, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to open a "green" restaurant in Gurnee, Ill., which features a six-kilowatt wind turbine on-site that will generate a…

Calif. signs calorie count law

September 30, 2008

The Washington Post: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Tuesday requiring chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to put calorie counts…

From single-unit success to multiunit growth

The decision to develop a multiunit franchise may give an owner more control.

Uncertain economy dampens industry outlook

September 29, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Restaurant industry performance remained soft in August, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity…

Mystery Shopping Study ranks best wait times

September 28, 2008

DALLAS — The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) has released a survey that offers some insight into one key component of customer service: wait…

Quiznos appoints Clyde Rucker executive VP, CFO

September 25, 2008

DENVER — Quiznos has announced that Clyde Rucker has been named to executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Prior to this…

Buffalo Wild Wings completes restaurant acquisition

September 24, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. has announced the completion of the $23 million asset acquisition of nine Buffalo Wild Wings franchised restaurants in…

Denny's tests fast casual concept

September 23, 2008

Franchise Update: Denny's has developed a fast casual concept as part of its strategy to reinvigorate the chain. The company is testing three Fresh Express…

Raising Cane's to move staff to Dallas

September 22, 2008

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is moving the bulk of its administrative functions from Baton Rouge, La., to Dallas, the company…

China Starbucks pull milk

September 18, 2008

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks stores in China have stopped serving milk from a particular supplier due to the threat of contamination. Several infants…

NRA, Gerson Lehrman Group partner for food safety conference

September 18, 2008

NEW YORK — Gerson Lehrman Group and the National Restaurant Association have announced a new alliance designed to strengthen the access to food safety and…

Panera earnings on track

September 16, 2008

Associated Press: Shares of Panera Bread Co. rose $1.45, or 3.1 percent, to end at $49. Panera stock bucked the overall market and rose Monday after the…