El Pollo Loco announces year-end results

April 5, 2009

COSTA MESA, Calif. — EPL Intermediate Inc., parent company of El Pollo Loco Inc., has reported results for its year ended Dec. 31.   Same-store sales for the…

Zaxby's opens first Houston location

April 1, 2009

SPRING, Texas — Zaxby's has opened its first Houston-area location in Spring, Texas, the company has announced. The new restaurant operates from 10:30 a.m. to…

Pollo Campero to offer free chicken sandwiches

April 1, 2009

DALLAS — On April 2 participating Pollo Campero stores will offer free fried and grilled chicken sandwiches to customers in celebration of its new sandwich…

Frenchy's chicken expands to Northwest Houston

April 1, 2009

HOUSTON — Creole chicken brand Frenchy's is expanding to the Northwest Houston market, the company has announced.    Frenchy's second fast casual restaurant…

Cosi to remain independent

March 31, 2009

Crain's Chicago Business: Cosi Inc. said Tuesday it has completed a review of strategic alternatives and will remain an independent company. The Deerfield…

Newsletters, intranet keep franchisees up to speed

How a variety of communication tools can connect brands to their outposts.

Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee to open 16th location

March 26, 2009

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — AMC Wings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Diversified Restaurant Holdings Inc., has announced that it has started construction on its…

El Pollo Loco forms Dinner Party

March 26, 2009

COSTA MESA, Calif. — El Pollo Loco has announced the formation of a new political party, the Dinner Party, to offer families real savings on real food. …

2007 Fast Casual Restaurant Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Chipotle stays ahead of the pack.

Presented by FastCasual.com

Saladworks Va. location rakes in $30,000 opening week

March 18, 2009

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — A newly opened Saladworks location in Herndon, Va., registered $30,000 in sales its opening week, according to a news release.   Saladworks…

Pollo Campero to offer free chicken sandwiches

March 16, 2009

DALLAS — Pollo Campero will give away free fried and grilled chicken sandwiches April 2 to celebrate the introduction of its new sandwich line.   Free…

Restaurants look to play a new song

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

As dining options increase, yesterday's music model is undergoing a revolution of sight and sound.

NFL Star Raheem Brock opens first Wingstop

March 12, 2009

PHILADELPHIA — Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive tackle and former Temple University star Raheem Brock has opened Philadelphia's first Wingstop restaurant…

Moody's puts El Pollo Loco on Bottom Rung

March 11, 2009

The Cleveland Leader: Moody's Investors Service published a new list Tuesday called the Bottom Rung, which details companies that the ratings agency says are…

Raising Cane's catches NCAA fever

March 11, 2009

BATON ROUGE, La. — Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has debuted its basketball-themed promotional campaign designed to cater to the growing college student…

Chicken Express opens new CE Restaurant

March 8, 2009

BELMONT, Mass. — The formerly known Chicken Express has recently launched a new and improved restaurant, CE Restaurant, in Belmont Mass., just outside of…

Buffalo Wild Wings to present at investors conference

February 26, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. has announced that the company will present at the Raymond James 30th Annual Institutional Investors Conference, in…

Organic To Go closes $5 million debt financing

February 19, 2009

SEATTLE — Organic To Go has announced that it has closed the sale of the previously announced $5 million secured convertible promissory note to Inventages…

Boston Market launches $50,000 sweepstakes

February 17, 2009

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market has announced the launch of its $50,000 Fresh Start Sweepstakes, which continues through April 16.

Boston Market intros Crispy Country Chicken

February 11, 2009

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market has announced the chain's introduction of Crispy Country Chicken. The baked all-white meat chicken breast is baked until crisp…