California Tortilla to open 30th location

October 8, 2007

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Fresh-Mex chain California Tortilla is slated to open its 30th location this month in Bristow, Va., the company announced.   The company is…

Wingstop records 17th consecutive quarter of comp increases

October 8, 2007

DALLAS — Comparable-store sales at chicken wing chain Wingstop increased 15.7 percent in the third quarter, the company announced. The string of consecutive…

Au Bon Pain opens Washington, D.C., catering facility

October 4, 2007

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain has announced the opening of a centralized catering facility in Washington, D.C., designed to help the company expand its catering…

Qdoba announces executive hires

October 4, 2007

DENVER — Denver-based Qdoba Mexican Grill has announced the appointment of Lisa Dahl, as the company's chief financial officer, and John Dikos, as manager of…

Zaxby's to launch celebrity commercials

October 3, 2007

ATHENS, Ga. — Fast-casual restaurant chain Zaxby's is launching a series of commercials that feature American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle, four-time…

Panera revenue rises 35%

October 3, 2007

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Panera Bread Co. has reported a same-store sales increase of 0.8 percent for the third quarter ended Sept. 25, 2007.   Company-owned…

Chipotle to announce 3Q results

October 2, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. announced that it will host a conference call to discuss third-quarter 2007 financial results at 5 p.m. EST Oct. 30…

Pei Wei Q3 comps decrease

October 2, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. has reported a 1 percent same-store sales decrease for its Pei Wei Asian Diner for the 13 weeks ended Sept.

Bruegger's inks 20-unit Florida expansion deal

October 1, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's Enterprises Inc. has announced the signing of a new development agreement with Avi and Moshe Stern to build at least 2…

Research & Markets intros 'fast casual in the U.S.' report

September 30, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Dining Out Review: Fast Casual Restaurants in the United States" to its offering.   The…

Restaurant Performance Index sees Aug. increase

September 30, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained positive in August, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Caribou to raise prices

September 27, 2007

Triangle Business Journal (N.C.): Caribou Coffee Co. is raising the prices on its beverages by 2.5 percent. According to a report by Reuters, the company has…

Just Fresh opens planet-friendly prototype

September 26, 2007

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just Fresh has launched a new restaurant concept in Charlotte, N.C.   The 3,600-square-foot restaurant features at least 18 design details…

Zaxby's signs with MICROS

September 25, 2007

COLUMBIA, Md. — MICROS Systems Inc. has signed a deal with chicken-finger restaurant chain Zaxby's Franchising Inc. to provide point-of-sale technology for…

Summit reveals fast-casual growth potential

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

September 25, 2007

* Click here to view a slideshow of the 2007 Fast Casual Executive Summit.     Fast-casual restaurants will generate $10 billion in restaurant sales in 2007…

Spicy Pickle commences public trading

September 23, 2007

DENVER — Spicy Pickle has announced the commencement of public trading for its common stock on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board (OTC BB) quotation medium…

Famous Dave's enters agreement for Texas, Okla. locations

September 23, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Famous Dave's has announced that Famous Ventures LP has purchased the right to franchise nine Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que restaurants…

Cosi names James F. Hyatt president and CEO

September 19, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. has announced the appointment of James F. Hyatt as its president and chief executive officer.   Hyatt, 51, most recently was…

Firehouse Subs launches fire safety campaign

September 19, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is calling on the public during October to help improve the life-saving capabilities of…

Reducing risk: The search for reputable employees

A few dollars spent on a background check can save thousands later.