Starbuck to invade Poland

March 28, 2007

Houston Chronicle: Starbucks Corp. has signed a deal with the AmRest restaurant group to open Starbucks locations in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Taco Bueno taps Radiant Systems

March 28, 2007

ABILENE, Texas — Taco Bueno Restaurants has signed an agreement with Atlanta-based Radiant Systems Inc. to deploy Radiant's MenuLink.NET back-office solution…

Seger may be next on Starbucks label

March 27, 2007

Detroit News: Musician Bob Seger may dump his longtime record company Capitol Records to join Paul McCartney on the new Starbucks Hear Music label. Seger's…

Restaurants build on international ground

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Restaurants look to international shores to boost their brand and build an image.

Starbucks chairman to receive ethics award

March 26, 2007

South Bend Tribune: Howard Schultz, chairman of coffee giant Starbucks, is being awarded the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Award for Ethics in Business…

Winter weather may hurt restaurant results

March 26, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A restaurant-industry analyst said Monday that severe winter weather could hurt first-quarter results for many restaurant companies.

Panera appoints new accounting chief

March 26, 2007

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread Co. has appointed Amy Kuzdowicz controller and chief accounting officer. Kuzdowicz will replace Richard Isaak, who…

Cold Stone Creamery to open first China shop

March 25, 2007

Shanghaiist: Ice cream vendor Cold Stone Creamery will open its first outlet in mainland China on April 23. The company plans to open 105 stores in China over…

Starbucks drops Dreamgirl from annual meeting

March 22, 2007

WSJV (South Bend, Ind.): Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz cancelled a planned concert by Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson due to the former American Idol…

Extreme Pita targets northern California for expansion

March 22, 2007

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Canadian franchise Extreme Pita has opened its newest restaurant at Auto Mall Parkway and Hugo Street in Fremont, Calif. The opening is…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs with Windsor Realty Group

March 21, 2007

ATLANTA – Destin, Fla.-based Tropical Smoothie Café, an independently-owned franchise system with more than 235 locations, has signed with Windsor Realty…

Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken receives two Scovie Awards

March 21, 2007

ATLANTA — Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken was recently awarded two 2007 Scovie awards for their signature Piri Piri sauces. The Scovie Awards…

Foie gras, caged chickens banned from Wolfgang Puck menus

March 21, 2007

StarTribune (Minneapolis): As part of a new initiative to fight animal cruelty, Wolfgang Puck said he will no longer serve foie gras, the fatty liver produced…

Starbucks hopes to calm jittery investors

March 19, 2007

Marketwatch: Nervous investors will be looking for reassurance about Starbucks' long-term growth plans when the company holds its annual meeting next week.

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…