Knowing your customer

Before you start a marketing plan, you better know your target audience. It's not that difficult to conduct a demographics study.

Starbucks partners with NAACP

May 29, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks Coffee Company announced a five-year, $2.5 million commitment, through cash and in-kind donation, for the National Association for the…

Woman slams car into N.Y. Panera Bread

May 24, 2006

Capital News: An Albany, N.Y., woman hit a parked car and sent it through the plate glass window of a Panera Bread store. The restaurant did not have any…

2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

Sharp Electronic launches new cash register

May 21, 2006

MAHWAH, N.J. — Sharp is unveiling a new electronic cash register with enhanced capabilities, a news release said.   The ER-A242 is a solution for businesses…

Must-see events / products at the NRA Show

As you enter the show, aromas of mouthwatering food, sounds of equipment demonstrations and an expansive panorama of colorful exhibits envelop you.

Corner Bakery Café updates menu

May 17, 2006

DALLAS — Ninety unit Corner Bakery Cafe, a fast-casual bakery cafe owned by CBC Restaurant Corp., has introduced seasonal updates to its summer menu at all…

Super Bowl committee shacks up with Cold Stone Creamery

May 16, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Super Bowl XLII Host Committee has a cool new place to call home. According to a news release, between now and the big game on…

Restaurant owner arrested for hiring illegal immigrants

May 15, 2006

Business & Legal Reports: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested one of the owners of a Mexican restaurant in St. Joseph…

Consumers rate Wendy's over McDonald's

May 15, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, consumers prefer Wendy's food over McDonald's and pizza over burgers.  In addition…

TV bird flu movie misleading, says Ag commissioner

May 14, 2006

The Weekly: After ABC aired its movie, "Fatal Contact," about the avian bird flu, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said the fictional TV show may…

Issues outside the kitchen

While you're cooking, the world is brewing with problems. From high gasoline prices to mad cow disease to avian bird flu, there's a lot more impacting your…

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express debuts in Boston

May 10, 2006

BETHESDA, Md. —World-renown chef and restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck, opened his first Boston location at the Logan International Airport. The chef partnered with…

It's A Grind rolls out iced-blended coffee

May 9, 2006

LONG BEACH, Calif. – As the weather heats up around the country, It's A Grind is offering Coconut Crunch, an iced-blended coffee drink.  According to a news…

Chipotle triples profit for Q1

May 8, 2006

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. reported a substantially profitable first quarter.   Net income for the quarter was $8 million up from $2.6 million in…

Einstein Bros. serves pink bagels for Mother's Day

May 8, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels is celebrating Mother's Day by joining forces with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise funds for…

Panera April sales up 2.8%

May 7, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co.'s reported an increase of 2.8 percent for system-wide same-store sales for the four weeks ended April 25.   Same-store sales at…

To wine or not to wine

Serving wine may be a venture worth looking into. Several fast casuals are boosting dinner sales with the alcoholic beverage.

Rubio's revenue rises but profit falls in Q1

May 3, 2006

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Restaurants posted modest first-quarter earnings for the 12-week period ended March 26.    Comparable-store sales increased 0.…

Starbucks Q2 profit rises 27%

May 3, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. reported its second-quarter profit rose 27 percent. According to a news release, there was a brisk customer demand for its coffee…