Starbucks cuts 600 positions

February 21, 2008

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Corp. has laid off 220 employees nationwide — about 73 of them in Seattle — and will allow another 380 planned or current…

Virginia Barbeque, Business Advisers Int'l partner

February 21, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Barbeque founder Rick Ivey has selected Business Advisers International BAI as a partner to provide business coaching and advisory…

Q&A with Buffalo Wild Wings' Kathy Benning

February 19, 2008

The Buffalo Wild Wings' senior VP of marketing and brand development dishes about the chains growth strategy and overcoming obstacles.

Marble Slab celebrates 25 years

February 19, 2008

NEW YORK — In celebration of its 25-year anniversary, Marble Slab has introduced a line of nonfat and no-sugar-added frozen yogurts, announced parent…

Organic To Go closes $10 million placement

February 19, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to close a $10 million equity private placement made by Inventages Venture…

Caribou Coffee reports flat comps growth

February 17, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Company Inc. has reported flat comparable-store sales growth for the company's fourth quarter ended Dec. 30, 2007. Franchised…

Grocery sales boost operations

Operator partnerships with grocery, beverage giants prove profitable.

Chipotle revenue up 31%

February 14, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2007.   For the fourth quarter…

Bruegger's acquires Triangle Bagels and Bagel Factory

February 14, 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has announced that it has acquired Triangle Bagels Inc., a franchisee of 14 Bruegger's bakery-cafes in North…

Panera removes pizza from menu

February 13, 2008

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Inc. has reported the results of its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2007 sales, for the period ended Dec. 25, 2007.   For the quarter…

Dunkin' Donuts launches oven-toasted menu

February 12, 2008

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Donuts has launched a new, all-day oven-toasted menu, marking the most significant change to Dunkin' Donuts product lineup since the…

UFood concludes $8.9 million public offering

February 10, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the conclusion of a private offering that raised gross proceeds of $8.9 million.   The private offering of…

Zebu Forno promotes one

February 6, 2008

RED BANK, N.J. — Zebu Forno has announced the promotion of Danielle M. De Angelo to training specialist. De Angelo has served as manager of Zebu's flagship…

Quiznos to develop restaurant support center

February 5, 2008

DENVER — Quiznos has announced plans to open a state-of-the-art restaurant support center (Quiznos Corporate Headquarters) in downtown Denver.   Development…

UFood signs first Chicago franchise agreement

February 4, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the sale of a multiunit restaurant agreement to a franchise developer in Chicago. The franchisee has an…

Buffalo Wild Wings completes purchase of 7 locations

February 4, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of certain leases and other assets of seven Don Pablo's Mexican…

Starbucks comps increase 1%

February 4, 2008

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. has reported a 1-percent consolidated same-store sales increase for the company's first quarter, ended Dec. 30, 2007. The increase…

Restaurants feel economic pinch

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Operators scale back locations as consumers tighten wallets.

Spicy Pickle expands with 2 corporate locations

January 31, 2008

DENVER — Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc. has announced the signing of two leases for new corporate-owned restaurant locations, both to be opened in the spring of…

Chipotle promotes two, restructures

January 30, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has announced the promotion of two executives to officer positions. Effective March 1, Rex Jones becomes chief development…