Children's literacy a passion for Caribou CEO

April 25, 2007

St. Cloud Times (Minnesota): Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive officer Michael Coles has been involved in children's literacy projects even before he ran a…

Baja Fresh announces new executive hires

April 25, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced the addition of two new hires, the company announced April 26.    Jerry de Lucia will join the…

New report highlights U.S, breakfast market

April 25, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Dining Out Review: Limited-service Breakfast in the United States" to their offering.

Organic To Go opens 13th location

April 25, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Organic To Go, the nation's first fast casual cafe to be certified as an organic retailer, announced the opening of its newest location in Los…

Panera reports 1Q earnings

April 25, 2007

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported April 24 that same-store sales remained flat for the first quarter ended March 27, 2007. Comps at company-owned…

Gift card sales get e-mail boost

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 25, 2007

Restaurants increase sales and profits through targeted e-mail marketing gift card programs.

SURVEY: Rate your customer service

April 24, 2007

Customer service is an important aspect of restaurant operations, one many establishments can not afford to avoid.   Here at Fast Casual, we'd like to know…

Panera expects 2Q profit increase

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: Panera Bread Co. on Wednesday said it expects its second-quarter profit to grow between 7 percent and 16 percent on improved same-store…

Chipotle to release earnings May 2

April 24, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2007 financial results May 1, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. …

Cosi director sells shares

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: William D. Forrest, a director of sandwich fast-casual chain Cosi Inc., sold 25,000 shares of common stock under a prearranged trading plan…

Pei Wei boosts P.F. Chang's profit

April 24, 2007

Associated Press: P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. on Wednesday reported a slightly-larger profit for the first quarter, as strength in its Pei Wei restaurant…

Restaurants tune in, turn up

Operators keep their ears open to brand reinforcement.

Chipotle chief executive sells company shares

April 23, 2007

Business Week: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s chief executive Steve Ells sold 6,000 shares of company common stock under a prearranged trading plan, according…

Investor plans 21 Einstein's for north Florida

April 22, 2007

Orlando Business Journal: Einstein Bros. Bagels has signed a multi-unit development agreement with Orlando-based MC Squared Investments LLC to build 2…

Tijuana Flats opens first N.C. location

April 19, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tijuana Flats is set to open its first North Carolina location May 5, the company announced.   The nearly 2,400-square-foot location will…

Quiznos franchisees file third class-action lawsuit

April 19, 2007

A class-action lawsuit was filed against Quiznos Sub April 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging that the company has…

Cosi comps down, revenue up

April 18, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Same-store sales for Così Inc. decreased 2.4 percent for the quarter ended April 3, down from 5.3 percent from the same time last year, the…

Starbucks opens in Romania

April 17, 2007

BUCHAREST, Romania — Starbucks Coffee Company and its European joint venture partner, Marinopoulos Holding SARL, celebrated April 18 the opening of the first…

Natural pork product pays off for Chipotle

April 17, 2007

Medill News Service: Chipotle's decision to use more expensive, naturally-raised pork in its burritos resulted in a big price hike for the item in 2001, but it…

P.J. Coffee intros environmentally friendly cups

April 17, 2007

ATLANTA — PJ's Coffee of New Orleans will implement eco-friendly cold drink cups in all of its 48 locations, the company announced April 17.     The 10…