Cousin Subs rolls out gift cards

November 13, 2006

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Cousins Subs introduced gift cards system-wide Nov. 10.   The plastic gift cards are replacing the traditional paper certificates…

E. Coli cases traced to McAlister's Deli in N.C.

November 13, 2006

Associated Press: Health officials confirmed that E. coli sickened seven people in Chapel Hill, six of them students at the University of North Carolina at…

Cosi says it will open 80 stores in 2007

November 8, 2006

Editor's note: Cosi reported third-quarter same-store sales dropped 4.2 percent.   Globe News: Though Cosi Inc. reported a loss of almost $2 million in its…

Penn Station is steadily growing

November 5, 2006

Cincinnati Enquirer: The president of Penn Station Inc. says his fast-casual restaurant group will never seek growth for the sake of growth.   "The faster you…

McAlister's workers donate tips to charity

October 30, 2006

Times News: Several McAlister's Deli workers – made up of mostly high school students – are donating their tips to make sure kids have clothes this winter. …

Spicy Pickle files for IPO

October 26, 2006

Spicy Pickle soon may become the smallest publicly traded company in the restaurant industry.   The 15-unit fast casual filed with the U.S. Securities and…

Fast-casual franchising: Is your chain ready?

You don't want to franchise too quickly.  Most experts say to wait at least five years before announcing franchising plans.    

Dunkin' Brands to sell Togo's

October 22, 2006

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Brands Inc. plans to sell Togo's Eateries Inc., the restaurant chain specializing in fresh sandwiches, salads and soups.   Trinity…

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…

Cosi suffers a Q3 loss

October 18, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported a weak third quarter ended Oct. 2, 2006.   The fast-casual sandwich chain said comparable same-store sales fell 4.…

McAlister's Deli selects Dell technology

October 9, 2006

ROUND ROCK, Texas — McAlister's Deli has selected Dell technology to support its point-of-sale and administrative challenges.   According to a news release…

Fast-casual restaurant uses self-service kiosks to attract tourists

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Bytes, an England fast casual, sets itself apart from the 200 restaurants in this tourist trap.    

Former Butterball president buys Mr. Goodcents franchises

October 5, 2006

DeSOTO, Kan — Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc. announced that Dean Falk, former president and chief executive of Sylvest Farms and former president of…

Ex-Quizno's operator settles discrimination suit

September 27, 2006

Daily Breeze: The former owners of a Torrance, Calif., Quizno's will pay $5,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging they refused to give a black teenage girl a job…

Firehouse Subs targets sports crowd with new promotion

September 26, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Firehouse Subs recently launched its Home Field Advantage (HFA) Sweepstakes promotion to provide a sports fan with an entertainment…

Schlotzsky's partners with Austin Film Festival

September 26, 2006

Austin Business Journal: The Austin Film Festival's Young Filmmakers Program and Schlotzsky's are partnering up to launch the first "Sandwich Your Story Into…

Emerging Concept: City Bites is ready to roll

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Blevins brothers created this fast-casual concept. Now they're prepared to take their sandwich chain national.

Firehouse Subs wins NRA's Restaurant Neighbor Award

September 19, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., — The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has given Firehouse Subs its Restaurant Neighbor Award in the national chain category. The…

Immigration class action lawsuit filed against Cafe Express, Wendy's

September 19, 2006

DALLAS — A class action immigration lawsuit has been filed against Cafe Express, its parent company Wendy's International Inc. and its former law firm on…

Quiznos' new ads question Subway quality

September 17, 2006

DENVER — Quiznos, the No. 2 sub chain, is chasing top-ranked Subway, and it's not hiding its intentions.   In what the company calls the "most aggressive and…