LaMastra, key execs, make Raving Brands exit

June 30, 2008

Nation's Restaurant News: Daryl Dollinger has succeeded Stephen M. LaMastra as president of Raving Brands in an executive shake-up that included the departure…

Stretching a supply chain

Connections, menu flexibility are key to how far brands can reach.

Zaxby's intros new snack sandwich

June 29, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. — Fast casual chicken finger chain Zaxby's has added a new snack-sized Nibbler sandwich to its menu. To promote the new item, the chain is giving…

Tomatoes not the only suspect in salmonella scare

June 29, 2008

Washington Post: Tomatoes contaminated with salmonella still may be on the market, federal officials said. Investigators are considering the possibility that…

Rising Roll plans Phoenix expansion

June 26, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz. — Rising Roll Gourmet has signed a deal with Phoenix businessman Scot Wilson to open 15 Rising Roll Gourmet locations in the Phoenix market in…

New CEO at Fazoli's

June 26, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fazoli's Restaurants has named veteran restaurant operator Carl Howard chief executive officer of the 286-unit Italian fast casual…

Town looks to restrict Starbucks drive-thru

June 25, 2008

The Capital Times (Madison, Wis.): A member of the Madison Plan Commission wants to ban the restaurant drive-thru — or at least restrict it in the town. The…

Starbucks to scale back music offerings

June 24, 2008

Silicon Alley Insider: Starbucks plans to eliminate most of its in-store music offerings by September, according to reporter Peter Kafka. But the coffee giant…

Traceability key tomato issue

Fast casuals, industry respond to recent salmonella outbreak.

Fast-casual chains continue to outperform, report says

June 22, 2008

CHICAGO — According to Chicago-based foodservice consultant Technomic Information Services, the Top 100 fast-casual chains continued to be the growth vehicle…

Rescued food

June 22, 2008

Fast casuals work with community groups to spread the bread.

Fresh City CEO talks 'fresh fusion'

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 22, 2008

Fresh City president and CEO Larry Reinstein heralds new flavors as key to company's success.

Potbelly Sandwich names Aylwin B. Lewis CEO

June 19, 2008

CHICAGO — Potbelly Sandwich Works has announced that Aylwin B. Lewis has joined the company as its president and chief executive officer.   Bryant Keil…

Panera Bread raises Q2 forecast

June 19, 2008

Food Business Review: Panera Bread Co. has increased its fiscal second quarter 2008 earnings per diluted share target to 48 cents to 50 cents, up from its…

Raving Brand's sells PJs coffee to largest franchisee

June 19, 2008

NEW ORLEANS — Raving Brand's has announced the sale of its PJ's Coffee brand to the chain's largest franchisee, New Orleans Roast and New Orleans Brew…

Cold Stone franchisees cooling to concept

June 18, 2008

MSN Money: Cold Stone Creamery once was one of the hottest franchises around, attracting dozens of franchisees. Now many of those franchisees are selling their…

Wingstop wins award for best company, TV ad

June 16, 2008

DALLAS — Wingstop has announced that it has won two Stevie Awards for Best Overall Company in the companies with more than 2,500 employees category, and Best…

Fast casual facelift

Keeping a store's image up to date is essential but is it worth the cost?

NRA joins campaign to revisit food-to-fuel mandates

June 12, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association continued to express concern over increasing wholesale food and commodity prices and the resulting dire…

Boston Market, RedPrairie partner

June 11, 2008

MILWAUKEE — RedPrairie Corp. has announced that Boston Market Corp. has selected RedPrairie's Site Operations and Performance Management solutions for food…