Analyst looks to fast-casual segment for growth

March 19, 2007

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Even though the restaurant industry is growing, economic factors such as high gas prices could put a damper on that trend.

Cosi comps up slightly

March 19, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Sales at Così Inc. restaurants open at least 15 months increased 0.3 percent for the fiscal year ended Jan. 1. The increase consisted of a…

Mad Greens opens sixth location

March 15, 2007

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Lakewood, Colo.-based Mad Greens Inspired Eats has opened its sixth Colorado location.    At 2,000 square feet, the newest location will…

Pretty in plastic

Move over metal, disposable tableware is stepping up.

Caribou Coffee expanding retail partnerships

March 14, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. announced its line of premium coffee beans is now available in 350 stores in the Southeast and New England markets…

Starbucks in Ethiopian royalty dispute

March 14, 2007

Business Report (South Africa): Ethiopian coffee farmers and exporters are accusing Starbucks of trying to thwart attempts to trademark the country's coffee…

Organic to Go acquires Jackrabbit

March 13, 2007

SEATTLE — Organic fast-casual café operator Organic To Go has acquired Jackrabbit, a Seattle-based catering company.   Terms of the purchase, which closed…

Taco Del Mar rolls out new branding effort

March 13, 2007

SEATTLE — Taco Del Mar has unveiled a new marketing effort highlighting the restaurant chain's food and menu ingredients.   According to a news release, the…

Starbucks: Free coffee on Thursday

March 13, 2007

SEATTLE — Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks Corp. announced March 12 that it will be giving away complementary 12-ounce cups of brewed coffee March 15 from…

Loss narrows at NWRG

March 13, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc., which operates bagel restaurants under the Einstein Bros. and Noah's New York Bagels brands and franchises…

Dairy Queen ads a hit on YouTube

March 12, 2007

Marketing Daily: Dairy Queen ads touting the chain's new FlameThrower Chicken Sandwich and original FlameThrower GrillBurger are drawing rave reviews on the…

Hyperactive Tech inks Australia distribution deal

March 12, 2007

PITTSBURGH — HyperActive Technologies Inc., provider of kitchen production-management systems to the quick-serve and fast-casual restaurant industry, has…

Cosi CEO steps down

March 12, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. —  Bakery café chain Cosi Inc. announced that chief executive Kevin Armstrong has resigned. Armstrong cited health reasons for his…

Raving Brands inks Canada, Middle East expansion deals

March 11, 2007

ATLANTA — Raving Brands announced March 12 plans to bring its flagship concept, Moe's Southwest Grill, to Canada.     According to a news release, Raving…

Baskin-Robbins rolls out candy bar treats

March 11, 2007

CANTON, Mass. — Specialty ice cream store Baskin-Robbins has partnered with The Hershey Co. to introduce nine Candy Bar Madness treats including ice cream…

Rachael Ray to promote Dunkin' Donuts

March 8, 2007

Boston Herald: Food Network host Rachael Ray has signed on as pitchwoman for Dunkin' Donuts. Ray also will consult with Dunkin's culinary team on the…

Georgia Restaurant Association, NRA and First Data partner

March 8, 2007

ATLANTA — The Georgia Restaurant Association, along with the National Restaurant Association and First Data Corp., announced March 9 the Georgia launch of the…

Peet's gearing up for expansion

March 7, 2007

ContraCostaTimes: Peet's Cofee & Tea is planning to add 30 new stores this year to the 136 the company already operates. The company doesn't want to be…

Subway introduces "fit" menu

March 7, 2007

MILFORD, Conn. — The Subway restaurant chain is introducing new "fit" menu items on March 12 in its restaurants across the country.   The new Subway Fresh…

Dunkin' Donuts franchisees worried about P&G deal

March 6, 2007

Boston Herald: A Dunkin' Donuts franchisee group is voicing its opposition to a deal with Proctor & Gamble to distribute the company's coffee in…