Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

Caribou CEO earns $2.4MM while stock declines

April 4, 2006

Business Journal: Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive Michael Coles made $2.4 million in salary, bonuses and stock grants 2005, while his company went public…

Q1 comps slide 2% at Pei Wei

April 4, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc., the parent of fast-casual restaurant Pei Wei, reported consolidated revenues of $228.6 million for the…

Peet's Coffee & Tea celebrates 40 years

April 4, 2006

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. announced the launch of its 40th Anniversary celebration in its 113 company-owned stores and nationwide home…

Boston Market changes with the times

April 2, 2006

Brand Week: Boston Market has had a bit of an identity crisis over the years. After filing for bankruptcy, after an out-of-control growth spate, and then…

Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.

Rumbi Island Grill opens in Arizona

April 2, 2006

AZcentral.com: A fast-casual restaurant that offers South Pacific, Caribbean and island food is preparing to debut its first Southeast Valley location in…

Cold Stone, Monster Garage build ultimate ice cream truck

April 2, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery and the Monster Garage teamed up to construct the ultimate ice cream truck. The construction of the truck will air on…

Technomic studying impacts of Mad Cow and avian flu on foodservice

March 30, 2006

CHICAGO— As avian influenza (AI) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) trigger supply disruptions and volatile conditions for meat and poultry markets…

Caribou Coffee to install 300 kiosks by 2008

March 30, 2006

Caribou Coffee said it has helped improve the customer experience at its 400 shops worldwide by implementing innovative IBM kiosk and point-of-sale (POS…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Panda Express considers new service models

March 30, 2006

No one has to tell Panda Express that Asian food is growing in popularity. With more than 800 locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan…

First Watch expands in Florida

March 29, 2006

BRADENTON, Fla. — First Watch Restaurants Inc. entered the southeast Florida market with its new Plantation location March 27.    First Watch serves…

BLIMPIE celebrates 42nd anniversary

March 29, 2006

ATLANTA — To celebrate its 42nd anniversary, BLIMPIE is featuring "Hot Classic" subs for April.   According to a news release, the Hot Classics line-up…

BBC interviews QSRweb.com and FastCasual.com

March 29, 2006

After McDonald's closed more than a dozen stores in London, the BBC interviewed QSRweb.com and Fast Casual Magazine editor Fred Minnick. He discussed…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Allure introduces new generic digital menu boards

March 27, 2006

ATLANTA — Allure Digital Media has introduced a new Digital Menu Board Solution consisting of three individual 42-inch plasma screens, all networked to…

The Pita Pit chooses Radiant Systems

March 27, 2006

ATLANTA — Radiant Systems Inc. announced The Pita Pit has selected the Aloha QuickService point-of-sale (POS) system.   "The Aloha QuickService POS enables…

El Pollo Loco parent late filing annual report

March 27, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., reported preliminary results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Dec.

NRA Show to feature 200 international exhibitors

March 26, 2006

CHICAGO — The 2006 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Show, held May 20-23 in Chicago, is a global marketplace where products from…