Restaurants squeezed by economy, price-conscious consumers

June 10, 2008

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Restaurants, including fast-food operations, are trying to balance rising costs with keeping customers satisfied.   At the…

IBM, Self-Service World announce free webinar on reaching the 'new consumer'

June 10, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — IBM, a global provider of business technologies, and Self-Service World, the leading news and information source covering the self-service…

Einstein Bros. finds secret to success

Despite struggling economy, Einstein Bros. Bagels stays strong.

Zoes Kitchen appoints Jason Morgan CFO

June 5, 2008

Nashville Business Journal: Jason Morgan, a 12-year veteran of the hospitality and service industry, will join Birmingham, Ala.-based Zoes Kitchen as its chief…

Einstein Bros., Noah's to offer 99-cent Bagel and Shmear

June 3, 2008

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — To encourage guests to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, all company-owned Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah's Bagels locations, except…

Organic To Go expands into Washington, D.C.

June 1, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Organic To Go has announced it has expanded its West Coast chain with the acquisition of four additional cafés and a catering business…

NexCen Brands provides business update

May 29, 2008

NEW YORK — NexCen Brands, owner of the Pretzel Time, Pretzelmaker, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Maggie Moos brands, has announced an update…

Tossed adds new VP of Operations

May 27, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tossed Franchise Corporation has announced restaurant-industry veteran Eric Clark will join their team as vice president of operations.

NexCen future on shaky ground

May 27, 2008

Blue Mau Mau: NexCen Brands, owner of the Pretzel Time, Pretzelmaker, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Maggie Moos brands, warned it faces a…

Au Bon Pain adds to Nutrition Advisory Board

May 19, 2008

BOSTON — Bakery-café chain Au Bon Pain has added Karen Glanz and Heidi Skolnik to its Nutrition Advisory Board.   Glanz is a professor of behavioral sciences…

From the field to the kitchen

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Are famous owners the best move in the game of chain survival?

Dickey's Barbecue launches fast casual concept

May 19, 2008

DALLAS — Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants has introduced a fast-casual concept, scaling down from its traditional 4,500 square-feet, buffet-style restaurants to a…

Starbucks to pay $3 million in expense suit

May 18, 2008

Seattle Times: Starbucks Corp. will pay up to $3 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged the company did not reimburse mileage expenses to employees in…

Jamba to close underperforming stores

May 15, 2008

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Smoothie shop Jamba Juice has announced that it is reorganizing its support functions and closing several underperforming stores.   The…

Peltz discloses Starbucks stake

May 15, 2008

Marketwatch: Shares of Starbuck's jumped Friday after Nelson Peltz' Trian Partners disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had acquired nearly 900,000 shares…

Freshberry to expand in Tulsa

May 15, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café has reached an agreement with Gary and Carol Hasz of Tulsa, Okla., to open at least four FreshBerry stores in the…

Organic To Go acquires Seattle Café chain

May 14, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has announced it has acquired a privately-held chain of three Seattle quick-service restaurants from FPO Inc., which includes Mel's…

Scooter's Coffeehouse celebrates 10th anniversary

May 14, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. — Coffeehouse chain Scooter's Coffeehouse celebrated its 10th anniversary last weekend by offering free small drinks at the company's 40 stores in…

Qdoba comps increase 2.4%

May 13, 2008

SAN DIEGO — Comparable-store sales at Jack in the Box's Qdoba Mexican Grill brand increased 2.4 percent for the quarter ended March 13, 2008, the company has…

2008 NRA, Hotel-Motel Show exhibit space sold out

May 13, 2008

CHICAGO — The National Restaurant Association has announced that its 2008 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show has attracted nearly 2,200 exhibiting companies and that…