PETA becomes Panera shareholder

August 1, 2007

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — PETA has announced its purchase of 60 shares of Panera Bread, in an attempt to use its position as a stockholder to move the company toward…

Fresh City signs 40-unit development deal

July 30, 2007

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Fresh City has announced the signing of a franchise-development agreement with Capitol Fresh LLC for 40 restaurants in Virginia, Maryland and…

R&I announces 2007 Consumers' Choice winners

July 30, 2007

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Restaurants & Institutions has announced the winners of its 27th annual Consumers' Choice in Chains study.   In the study, more than…

Tumaro's intros organic, whole wheat, tortillas

July 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas has announced the launch of its new USDA certified organic tortillas for food service distribution.  …

Cousins Subs inks 30-store development agreement

July 23, 2007

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Cousins Subs has announced its newest area developer, Mark Beierle, for the southeastern Wisconsin and Rockford, Ill., area. Beierle…

Quiznos to refund franchisees $2 million

July 23, 2007

Toronto Star: Companies that run the Quiznos Sub sandwich chain in Canada have agreed to refund part of an estimated 170 franchise deposits. A judge has…

Cosi comps flat for second quarter

July 19, 2007

Houston Chronicle: Sales at fast-casual chain Cosi Inc. rose 12 percent in the second quarter, falling short of Wall Street estimates. Comparable-store sales…

Chedd's Gourmet Grilled Cheese plans national expansion

July 16, 2007

Denver Post: The founders of Chedd's Gourmet Grilled Cheese restaurant in Denver is hoping to go national. The Wisconsin-themed grilled-cheese restaurant…

Andy's Cheesesteaks to raffle classic car for charity

July 15, 2007

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Fast-casual chain Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers is raffling off a fully-restored 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, valued at more than $50,000.

Firehouse Subs raises $100,000 for fallen firefighters

July 11, 2007

  CHARLESTON, S.C. — Three local Firehouse Subs locations raised more than $50,000 in donations from individuals in the Charleston, S.C., the company…

Dagwood's opens fourth location

July 5, 2007

GULF BREEZE, Fla. — The area's first Dagwood's Sandwich Shoppes is scheduled to open July 19 in Gulf Breeze, Fla. The Gulf Breeze Shoppe will be the fourth…

Extreme Pita to expand in NYC

July 5, 2007

Long Island Business News: Steve Haddad has acquired the rights to build the Extreme Pita brand throughout New York City and Long Island, where the…

Dagwoods plans Atlanta expansion

June 28, 2007

ATLANTA — Dagwood's Sandwich Shoppes, a fast-casual sandwich concept inspired by the  'Blondie' comic strip character Dagwood Bumstead, have announced…

Burke launches sliced meatballs

June 27, 2007

Nevada, Iowa — Burke Corporation, provider of fully cooked meat products, is launching a sliced version of its authentic tasting, traditional Italian-style…

Penn Station to add 5 Columbus locations

June 27, 2007

Cincinnati — Penn Station East Coast Subs has finalized expansion plans for 5 additional locations in the Columbus, Ohio, area, the company announced.   Penn…

The fresh factor

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

June 24, 2007

Restaurants tout freshly prepared to add consumer appeal.

Schlotzsky's launches first online contest

June 20, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas — Schlotzsky's is giving restaurant patrons a chance to win $25,000 a year for life through its new online Winning Combination Game.   Between…

Bakery café Zebu Forno launches franchise program

June 20, 2007

RED BANK, N.J. — Zebu Forno, a European-style bakery and café, has announced plans to expand through the sale of franchises in other parts of New Jersey and…

Sandella's set for Nevada expansion

June 17, 2007

REDDING, Conn. — Fast casual flatbread chain Sandella's has secured in April its first master-franchise agreement for Nevada.   Dan Rowe and Stephen Crystal of…

Panera inks California expansion deal

June 17, 2007

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread Co. announced that it has formed an agreement with a new, four-member franchise group to develop 12 bakery-cafes in…