Baja Fresh to focus on expansion with new prototype

April 14, 2008

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced that future immediate franchise growth would be targeted to three of the most heavily populated…

Fazoli's begins restaurant renovations

September 16, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS — Fazoli's has begun a remodeling project for 16 of its Indianapolis-area locations, the company announced in a news release.   Following a…

Starbucks relocates Indianapolis flagship

July 26, 2007

SEATTLE — Starbucks Coffee Company will open its new Indianapolis flagship coffeehouse at the relocated Mid-America office Aug. 2. The new store is adjacent…

Quiznos names VP of non-traditional development

July 16, 2007

DENVER — Toasted-sub chain Quiznos has named Hannibal Myers as senior vice president of non-traditional development, effective Aug. 13. Myers will report…

Daphne's Greek Cafe unveils new look

July 10, 2007

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Daphne's Greek Cafe July 10 unveiled its new design concept at the opening of its Tustin, Calif., location.   The new restaurant is the…

Captain D's unveils new look

July 5, 2007

The Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, Tenn.): Captain D's Seafood Kitchen is introducing a new look and menu that will eventually be phased in throughout the…

Fazoli's owners unveil changes

June 10, 2007

Kentucky Herald-Leader: Sun Capital Partners, which bought Italian fast-casual chain Fazoli's eight moths ago, is working to put the chain back on a growth…

Updated décor can make a difference

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

May 17, 2007

As Penn Station discovers, an updated look is one key to success.

The new face of fast casual?

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Fuzion Food Group looks to alter the restaurant landscape.

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…