Cosi posts loss for Q3

November 9, 2008

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Comparable-store sales at company-owned Cosi Inc. locations increased 0.1 percent for the third quarter ended Sept. 29, the company…

Farmer Boys launches breakfast all day

November 6, 2008

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Farmer Boys restaurants are now serving breakfast all day, every day, the company announced.   Among Farmer Boys' most popular breakfast…

El Pollo Loco revenue up 4 percent

November 6, 2008

COSTA MESA, Calif.— Comparable-store sales at EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., were flat for the company's third quarter ended…

Rubio's net up 8 percent

November 5, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Comparable-store sales at Rubio's Restaurants Inc. decreased 2.1 percent in the third quarter ended Sept. 28, the company announced…

Rita's Italian Ice named in Top 50 Franchises for Minorities

November 4, 2008

TREVOSE, Pa. — Rita's Italian Ice, an Italian ice chain with more than 500 stores in 17 states, has been designated one of the top 50 franchises for minorities…

Bruegger's sees 18th consecutive quarterly sales increase

November 3, 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Comparable-store sales at Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. restaurants increased 1.7 percent for company-owned locations and 1.7 percent…

Carrols Restaurant Group reports mixed Q3 results

November 3, 2008

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., the parent company of Carrols Corp., has announced financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 28…

Smooth sailing for Tropical Smoothie Cafe

New president works to improve communication with franchisees.

Rubio's announces third quarter conference call

October 30, 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Restaurants Inc. will host a conference call on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Pacific time to discuss third quarter 2008 results. The company…

Smashburger hires former Leeann Chin president

October 30, 2008

DENVER — Smashburger has named Greg Creighton to its executive management team, the company announced. Creighton will be responsible for growing the company's…

Shane's Rib Shack tweaks election-day promo

October 30, 2008

ATLANTA — Shane's Rib Shack is changing its previously announced Election Day promotion to a Celebrate American Democracy Day.  One free "Celebrate America…

Caribou Coffee announces executive changes

October 29, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Company Inc. has announced several changes to the company's executive team.   Daniel J. Hurdle is joining the company as the…

Sonoma Chicken Coop lands in New York

October 28, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Fast casual chain Sonoma Chicken Coop has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with business partners Mitchell Segal and Golan Zinger and…

Peet's net up 11 percent

October 28, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Revenues at Peet's Coffee & Tea increased 12 percent to $68.5 million for the company's third quarter ended Sept. 28, compared with…

Buffalo Wild Wings revenue up nearly 30 percent

October 27, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Same-store sales at Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants increased 6.8 percent at company-owned locations and 2.1 percent at franchised locations for…

Bailout bill bonuses

Economic bailout package offers some tasty tax tidbits for fast casual operators.

Jittery Joe's names operations VP

October 26, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. — Café chain operator Jittery Joe's Franchising LLC has named Kim Collins to the post of vice president of operations.   Collins formerly served…

Starbucks employees head to New Orleans

October 26, 2008

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Starbucks' annual leadership meeting begins today in New Orleans. The meeting, behing held outside of Seattle for the first time…

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.