Organic to Go acquires Jackrabbit

March 13, 2007

SEATTLE — Organic fast-casual café operator Organic To Go has acquired Jackrabbit, a Seattle-based catering company.   Terms of the purchase, which closed…

Espresscio Kiosks to focus on office complexes

February 5, 2007

HEATHROW, Fla. — Ultimate Franchise Systems Inc. has developed a fast-casual concept to focus on high rise buildings, office complexes and…

Raving Brands plans for Planet Smoothie growth

February 1, 2007

ATLANTA — Raving Brands announced Feb. 1 its new three-year plan to add more than 250 Planet Smoothie locations by 2009.   A primary focus of the growth…

Chipotle to move offices

January 21, 2007

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill is moving its Denver headquarters to a soon-to-be-constructed 43,000 square-foot building located in the city's lower downtown…

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 wannabes

Casual-dining restaurants and QSRs create fast-casual concepts to meet customer demand.

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.

Rumbi Island Grill store hosts 'Animal Lovers' luau

November 15, 2006

BOULDER, Colo. — Rumbi Island Grill, a tropical fast-casual restaurant, will be hosting the second "Animal Lovers' Luau" fundraiser to benefit the Longmont…

Interior and Architectural Concepts for the Fast-Casual Chain

Fast casual restaurants are uniquely different from QSRs and casual dining outfits. But many operators are still falling short in store design. In this guide…

McDonald's gets a facelift

October 22, 2006

ABC News: No matter where you grew up, the McDonald's across the street looked a lot like the McDonald's across the country. That familiarity made the…

Giles Foodservice launches new ventless hood

October 16, 2006

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Giles Foodservice Equipment has launched an extended version of its POVH ventless hood.    According to a news release, this new option…

Restaurant design: Fast casuals need more than a good décor

If the interior design does not complement the menu, the look is a lost cause — especially in fast casual.

Legendary pizzerias bet on fast-casual makeovers

Shakey's Pizza and Papa Gino's Pizza are getting new names and makeovers to strengthen their positions in the growing fast-casual dining segment.

Restaurant design: Fast-casual look attracts customers

Donatos and Panera add to their brand with an attractive exterior design.  

Clean restrooms equal happy customers

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Your restrooms matter to customers, and, yes, they require constant attention. But at least the process isn't rocket science.

Hamburgers: Not just for drive-thrus anymore

The fast-casual burger concept hasn't exactly taken off like the bakery café segment, but the American tradition may be set to grow.

Captain D's unveils new menu, look, logo

August 14, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Captain D's Seafood on Aug. 14 will launch a new logo, new restaurant design and an expanded contemporary menu ranging from grilled seafood…

Opinion: Fuddruckers or Five Guys?

August 10, 2006

The State: A columnist debates his dilemma when deciding on a burger joint. For his money, it's between Fuddruckers and Five Guys Burgers. He writes: "My…

Au Bon Pain creates new concept for suburban customers

August 8, 2006

BOSTON — Au Bon Pain will open a new suburban prototype in Woburn, Mass., Aug. 10.    The company seeks to serve an active customer base with diverse dining…

The perfect plot of land

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

What is the best fast-casual real estate?