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?

Boston Market is changing

A few things are different for the chain that started the "home meal replacement" trend.

European fast casual moves to the U.S.

June 13, 2006

WASHINGTON — Vapiano is a German-based fast-casual concept and it is moving to the United States. Specializing in Italian food with a European flair, the…

2006 restaurant show wraps up

The 2006 National Restaurant Hotel & Motel Show offered big-time speakers and trendsetting technologies. Even if you attended, you probably didn't see…

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express debuts in Boston

May 10, 2006

BETHESDA, Md. —World-renown chef and restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck, opened his first Boston location at the Logan International Airport. The chef partnered with…

There's more to salad than just lettuce

Panera Bread, Einstein Bagel Bros. and Atlanta Bread serve salad, so do Fazoli's, McAlister's and Schlotzsky's. Casual-dining restaurants serve up $8-$1…

Villa re-brands Casa Java

April 23, 2006

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Villa Enterprises is re-branding its coffee concept, Casa Java. According to a news release, Casa Java has a new store design, new menu…

Selecting a restaurant consultant

The right consultant can improve your restaurant, but the wrong one can cost you money.   

The state of the London coffeehouse

Traditional cafés stave off Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks may have actually helped the once-dying London coffeehouse.

Fast-casual concepts attract the Washington lunch crowd

April 9, 2006

Washington Post: The Washington D.C. lunch crowd is patronizing fast-casual concepts more frequently than other concepts. They're eating at Cosi, Potbelly…

Reinstein brothers push Fresh City

April 5, 2006

Boston Biz Journal: The basic ingredients are the same, but brothers Larry Reinstein and Bruce Reinstein are following a different recipe in building their…

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…