Hernandez named Daphne's Greek Cafe VP of operations

January 28, 2008

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Cafe has named Greg Hernandez vice president of operations, the company has announced. Hernandez will be responsible for…

Subway survey: Americans want healthy Super Bowl options

January 24, 2008

MILFORD, Conn. — Subway restaurants has found in a recently released survey that although Super Bowl Sunday ranks as the year's third-highest day of…

Bruegger's Q4, FY '07 comps, revenue increase

January 24, 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has announced that fourth-quarter revenue for comparable sales grew 4.5 percent at company locations and 3.…

Starbucks to test $1 coffee

January 22, 2008

Reuters: Starbucks Corp. is testing $1 coffees and free refills at its Seattle-based locations, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Starbucks charges around…

Fast casuals opt for interaction

Self-service technology finds little support from fast-casual operators.

Saladworks partners with Fla. area rep

January 16, 2008

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Saladworks has announced a partnership deal to open 30 new franchise locations throughout Florida.    Ken Gordon, president of FranBiz…

Zaxby's relaunches Boneless Wings

January 16, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. — Zaxby's has announced the limited-time return of its Boneless Wings, last offered in 2006. Zaxby's Boneless Wings are tender chunks of marinated…

Firehouse Subs opens first mall location

January 16, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. — Firehouse Subs opened its first shopping mall food court location in December 2007, the company has announced.       The Millennia Mall…

Au Bon Pain to be acquired by LNK

January 16, 2008

Au Bon Pain and LNK Partners, a private equity firm focused on the consumer/retail sector, have entered into an agreement under which LNK will partner with…

Organic To Go reports 60% Q4 revenue increase

January 15, 2008

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has reported preliminary unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007.   Revenues for the quarter increased…

Q&A with Martin Sprock

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

The founder of Raving Brands takes a leap with Flying Biscuit Cafe.

Caribou CFO resigns

January 10, 2008

Caribou Coffee Company Inc.'s chief financial officer George Mileusnic has resigned to "pursue other interests," less than two months after the resignation…

Chipotle to announce 4Q and FY '07 results

January 10, 2008

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has announced it will host a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2007 financial results at 5 p.m. EST…

UFood Grill opens in Boston's Logan airport

January 9, 2008

BOSTON — UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has announced the opening of UFood Grill at Boston Logan International Airport. The airport's newly renovated Terminal B…

Starbucks shares increase as former CEO returns

January 8, 2008

The Wall Street Journal: Starbucks Corp. investors approved the return of Howard Schultz as chief executive Jan. 9 as company shares jumped 8.1 percent. …

McCafes to take on Starbucks, Dunkin'

January 7, 2008

Boston Herald: As McDonald's plans to open McCafes at about 14,000 U.S. locations, the competition generated may be equally steep for Starbucks and Dunkin…

Energy Kitchen to open 5 new franchises

January 7, 2008

NEW YORK — Energy Kitchen has announced the expected 2008 opening of five new franchise stores: three in New York City, one in Boston and one in Hoboken, N.J.

Starbucks rehires Schultz as CEO, ends pact with XM Radio

January 7, 2008

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. has announced its Board of Directors chairman Howard Schultz is retaking the company's helm, replacing Jim Donald, who is leaving the…

Operators cash in with catering

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Catering options increase revenue, community footprint for franchisees.

Camille's, Wal-Mart sign supercenter deal

January 6, 2008

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International, parent company of Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, has signed an agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to place its…