Qdoba looks to franchise growth

April 15, 2007

The Denver Post: Qdoba Mexican Grill is in the middle of an ambitious expansion that includes the opening of at least 80 restaurants in 2007. The company has…

Sales increase at Penn Station

April 15, 2007

CINCINNATI — Penn Station East Coast Subs celebrated 34 consecutive months of increased average restaurant sales, for the period ended March 31.    "We are…

Gumbo a Go-Go changes name

April 15, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cajun and Creole fast casual eatery Gumbo A Go-Go has changed its name to J Gumbo's Down-Home Cajun Cooking to better reflect the…

Salads paying off for QSR operators

April 12, 2007

CHICAGO — Quick-service restaurants have been aggressively improving and promoting their salad offerings—and their efforts appear to be paying off, according…

NRA show to feature eco-friendly products

April 12, 2007

Attendees at the 2007 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show will have a special opportunity this year to look at ways of making their…

Firehouse names VP of finance and technology

April 11, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Vincent F. Burchianti has been named as vice president of finance and technology for Firehouse Restaurant Group, the parent company of…

Fuddruckers closes central Ohio locations

April 11, 2007

The Columbus Dispatch: Fuddruckers suddenly closed its four Columbus, Ohio, restaurants this week, leaving the central Ohio market for the second time in…

UPDATE: Focus welcomes Moe's to the family

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 11, 2007

Raving Brands bids adieu to its flagship Moe's Southwest Grill.

New World Restaurant Group plans to go public

April 10, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — New World Restaurant Group Inc. has filed a registration statement relating to a proposed public offering of up to $125 million of its common…

Starbucks Coffee Korea net drops

April 10, 2007

The Korea Times: Starbucks Corp. suffered its first drop in net profit last year in Korea due to increasing operating costs and contributions to society, the…

Focus Brands to Acquire Moe's

April 10, 2007

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the fast-casual chain Moe's Southwest Grill from Atlanta-based Raving Brands. …

Panera drops Jay's chips

April 9, 2007

Chicago Sun-Times: Panera Bread Co. has pulled chips from Jay's Foods Inc. from its stores, officials from the snack-food company told employees last week.

Starbucks to build South Carolina roasting plant

April 9, 2007

SEATTLE — St. Matthews, S.C., has been named as the intended site of a new Starbucks Coffee Co. roasting facility. Construction on the approximately 150,00…

Q1 comps fall at Caribou Coffee

April 9, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Comparable-store sales at Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. shops fell 1 percent in the 13 week period ended April 1, the company announced. Caribou…

14th E. coli case found, restaurant remains closed

April 9, 2007

O.C. Register: A new case of E. coli linked to a Souplantation restaurant has been identified, bringing to 14 the total number of people who have tested…

Caribou Coffee lawsuit could become class-action

April 8, 2007

Associated Press: Lawsuits filed on behalf of former and current Caribou Coffee managers have received a boost.   A federal magistrate judge recommends they…

Chipotle to use natural-raised chicken in Colorado locations

April 8, 2007

DENVER — Starting April 16, Chipotle Mexican Grill will serve only naturally raised chicken at its Colorado restaurants.   With the addition of naturally…

Wingstop posts 1Q earnings

April 5, 2007

DALLAS — Fast-casual chain Wingstop announced April 5 that first quarter same-store sales increased 17 percent for the first quarter ended April 1.    The…

Midwest region ripe for franchise growth

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

April 5, 2007

Fast casuals are looking toward the international market for franchise growth, but Penn Station East Coast Subs is taking a more domestic approach.

Moe's franchisees file suit against parent

April 4, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A group of Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees from Georgia and Tennessee filed suit against parent company Raving Brands. Among the…