Ken Green joins McAlister's as SVP of operations

September 16, 2007

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Ken Green has been named as senior vice president of operations for McAlister's Deli.   Green brings more than two decades of restaurant…

Starbucks launches Ramadan Frappuccino

September 13, 2007

Dubai City Guide: Starbucks outlets in the Middle East have introduced a Date Frappuccino in celebration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The new menu…

Taco Del Mar to expand into New England

September 13, 2007

SEATTLE — New England-area Subway franchisee Brenda Bohinc has signed on to be a master developer with Mexican concept Taco Del Mar.   Bohinc's territory…

Cold Stone Creamery names new president

September 13, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery has named Dan Beem as president of the premium ice cream chain.   Beem has been with Cold Stone for four years. Prior…

Farmer Boys intros new chicken salads

September 12, 2007

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Beginning Sept. 17, Farmer Boys Restaurants will introduce three new made-to-order chicken salads.   The new chicken salads include the…

Judge strikes down NY calorie-counts rule, NRA reacts

September 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Restaurant Association has issued a statement in response to Tuesday's U.S. federal district court decision to strike down a…

Super Mex to focus growth in fast-casual segment

September 9, 2007

Orange County Register: Super Mex, a 13-unit Long Beach chain with a large presence in Orange County, said it plans to focus its future growth in the…

Einstein Bros., Noah's bring back fall flavors

September 9, 2007

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. will bring back fall flavors in its Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah's Bagels locations beginning Sept.

Schlotzsky's launches Italian-inspired LTO items

September 6, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas — Fast-casual deli chain Schlotzsky's is offering three Italian-inspired items for a limited time. New items include: Slicey Meatball…

Baskin-Robbins manager kills would-be robber

September 6, 2007

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia): The manager of a Baskin-Robbins store in South Richmond shot and killed a man who attempted to rob the store with a BB…

HMSHost to partner with Baja Fresh for travel outlets

September 6, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — HMSHost Corp., which operates shopping and dining outlets in more than 100 airport locations around the globe, has chosen Baja Fresh…

Summit seminar to tackle franchising pitfalls

September 6, 2007

Rich Hicks doesn't want to make the same mistakes others have made. The founder and president of Tin Star Southwest Grill hopes to learn from his peers…

Corner Bakery, Jersey Foods sign development agreement

September 4, 2007

DALLAS — Corner Bakery Cafe has announced that it has signed a development agreement with New Jersey Corner Foods LLC for 11 locations over the next five…

Panera reports 3% comps jump

September 4, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company on Sept. 5 reported systemwide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 3.1 percent for the five weeks ended Aug. 28, 2007. …

Christopher Smith joins Mission Burritos as SVP

September 3, 2007

HOUSTON — Mexican Restaurants Inc. has announced the appointment of Christopher Smith as senior vice president for Mission Burritos.   Smith formerly served…

Starbucks to open in Russia

September 3, 2007

The Seattle Times: Starbucks plans to open its first coffee shop in Russia Sept. 6, 2007, in a mall north of Moscow.   Along with its traditional…

Starbucks to open in A&Ps

August 30, 2007

Forbes: The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. said it has signed an agreement to operate Starbucks coffee shops in some of its A&P grocery stores in…

Restaurant Performance Index dropped in July

August 30, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry softened somewhat in July, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Summit to tackle marketing, branding challenges

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

August 30, 2007

According to Fast Casual's 2007 Benchmark Study, 76 percent of respondents said they market to local businesses.   While marketing at the local level is a…

Focus Brands, Roark Capital complete Moe's purchase

August 29, 2007

ATLANTA — Focus Brands, an Atlanta-based franchisor and affiliate of Roark Capital, has announced the completion of the previously announced purchase of Moe's…