Salad Creations plans expansion

January 10, 2007

Detroit News: Anthony Ciotti and Luciano Gonzalez are looking for entrepreneurs willing to invest in Salad Creations, a Florida-based chain that recently…

Organic To Go 2006 sales reach $10MM

January 3, 2007

SEATTLE — Organic To Go, the nation's first fast-casual cafe certified as an organic retailer, ended 2006 with $10 million in sales.   The 13-unit company…

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

UPDATED: Taco John's reacts to lawsuit

December 21, 2006

In a lawsuit recently filed, a woman said she ate at a Taco John's in Waterloo, Iowa, and later became ill with E. coli, which would make four stores…

Popeyes creates fast-casual concept, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

December 11, 2006

ATLANTA — Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises Inc., announced the opening of a fast-casual hybrid concept, Popeyes Louisiana…

Fast-casual customers eat alone

Appeal to single diners to make sales grow.

Trials and tribulations of a fast-casual independent operator

How one woman handles adversity and keeps her restaurant growing.

Sara Lee Foodservice introduces three new cheesecakes

November 16, 2006

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee Foodservice introduced three new cheesecakes, including Swiss Double Chocolate, California and an Extra Tall plain New York…

Organic to Go expands, acquires capital

November 16, 2006

SEATTLE — Organic To Go (O To Go), the first certified organic fast-casual café, announced the purchase of Vinaigrettes Full Spectrum Catering of Los Angeles.

Panera CEO: There is no such thing as fast casual

The CEO talks about what makes Panera special and why his bakery café should not be lumped into the fast-casual segment.

McAlister's Deli is the only link in E. coli cases, health dep. says

November 14, 2006

The past few days have not been easy for Phil Friedman, the chairman and chief executive of McAlister's Deli.   A McAlister's store in Orange County, N.C.…

Radio advertising draws fast-casual customers

Radio is cheaper and more targeted than TV.

Chipotle warns 4Q sales will cool

November 2, 2006

Houston Chronicle: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. late Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings well ahead of analysts' forecasts, but the restaurant chain warned…

Oct. comps rise 3.2% at Panera Bread Co.

November 2, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 3.2 percent (made up of a 2.9 percent increase at company-owned units…

Premium sodas make a splash in fast casual

Several top tier fast-casual restaurants are taking advantage of the "New Age" soda trend. Are you?

Fazoli's acquired by Sun Capital

October 19, 2006

Sun Capital Partners has acquired Fazoli's Restaurants for an undisclosed amount.   Effective immediately, former McDonald's executive Robert Weissmueller…

McSubway Study finds Subway food is not that healthy

October 19, 2006

The Star: A new study shows that Subway is not as healthy as it claims to be. The new research — labeled the "McSubway Study" — was based on exit interviews…

Post Baja Fresh: State of the fresh-Mex segment

The Mexican fast-casual category is doing just fine, insiders say. "Baja (Fresh) seems to be the only one having difficulties," one operator said.

El Pollo Loco withdraws IPO

October 11, 2006

El Pollo Loco Holding Inc. withdrew its $135 million initial public offering with underwriter Bank of America.   "El Pollo Loco's decision not to execute an…

Sept. comps rise 5.9% at Panera Bread

October 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. reported system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 5.9 percent for the four weeks ended Sept. 26, 2006. According to a…