Cosi posts strong Q1

April 18, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported that comparable restaurant sales increased 5.3 percent for the first quarter ended April 3. The restaurant said its…

Wendy's CEO retires

April 17, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio —Wendy's International chairman and chief executive Jack Schuessler announced his retirement April 17.   The company also said that it will…

Camille's opens 100th store

April 13, 2006

TULSA, Okla. — Camille's Sidewalk Café will open its 100th café this month on Tulsa's historic and exclusive Cherry Street.   According to a news release…

Organic foods surge through restaurants

April 11, 2006

  NEW YORK — A new study shows the use of organic foods is growing in the foodservice market.   According to "Organic on the Menu: Healthy Eating Trends in…

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…

Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

Wingstop posts 11th straight quarter of comps growth

April 6, 2006

DALLAS — Wingstop benefited from the Super Bowl and March Madness for a positive first quarter ended April 1.   According to a news release, comparable-store…

New report tracks menu trends

April 6, 2006

CHICAGO —The latest Trend Tracker report, a companion to the online, searchable Menu Monitor service offered by Technomic Information Services, offers a new…

Panera Bread Q1 revenues increase 35%

April 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported that revenue for the first-quarter ended March 28 increased 35 percent to $194 million from $144 million in the…

Raving Brands contributes $2MM to charity

April 2, 2006

Raving Brands partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as the organization's largest single contributor with a $2 million…

Premium bread takes the sandwich to new heights

If anyone needs proof the Atkins scourge on bread is long gone, take a peek at the menu mix in most fast-casual concepts. You'll see that sandwiches rule.

Nolan Ryan and 'the Rocket' invest in Earl of Sandwich

April 2, 2006

Houston Business Journal: A group of investors including Don Sanders, founder and chairman of Sanders Morris Harris, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and seven-time…

Boston Market begins Internet contest

March 30, 2006

DENVER — Boston Market wants to see what people would do with their extra time. The Web site MyExtraHour.com is an interactive site designed to invite…

Restaurant Holdings acquires New York NY Fresh Deli

March 30, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Restaurant Holdings Inc., formerly Passport Restaurants Inc., acquired the emerging fast-casual chain, New York NY Fresh Deli, as listed on…

Restaurant industry continues growth

March 30, 2006

WASHINGTON D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained solid in February, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

Fast casuals attract mobile workers

March 30, 2006

Yesterday's luxury is today's expectation. Today's business traveler is all about the mobile office, and fast-casual restaurants are offering modern amenities…

First Watch expands in Florida

March 29, 2006

BRADENTON, Fla. — First Watch Restaurants Inc. entered the southeast Florida market with its new Plantation location March 27.    First Watch serves…

BLIMPIE celebrates 42nd anniversary

March 29, 2006

ATLANTA — To celebrate its 42nd anniversary, BLIMPIE is featuring "Hot Classic" subs for April.   According to a news release, the Hot Classics line-up…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Firehouse Subs hires new VP

March 28, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Mike Nissenbaum is the new vice president of company operations for Firehouse Subs. Nissenbaum works out of the company's corporate…