Consumers rate Wendy's over McDonald's

May 15, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, consumers prefer Wendy's food over McDonald's and pizza over burgers.  In addition…

The Original SoupMan chooses Chockstone's Gift Card

May 7, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. — Chockstone Inc. announced that Manhattan-based Soup Kitchen International Inc., the parent company of The Original SoupMan, has chosen…

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…

Manhattan Bagel brings in healthier choices for the summer

April 26, 2006

HAMILTON, N.J. — Manhattan Bagel is introducing several fresh and healthy seasonal menu items. According to a news release, the menu upgrades were made to…

Boston Market runs Mother's Day promotion, fundraiser

April 18, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Boston Market said its celebrating Mother's Day by supporting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. A news release said the restaurant…

Tossed announces franchising plans

April 12, 2006

NEW YORK — New York-based Tossed, a fast-casual salad concept, said it plans to open 200 restaurants within five years and has long-term potential for 1,00…

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…

Everything Yogurt & Salad rolls out new salads

April 10, 2006

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Villa Enterprises announced the rollout of its three new Signature Salads for its Everything Yogurt & Salad Café and Green Leaf's…

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…

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…

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.

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…

NRA: 30 months of consecutive growth

February 28, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The outlook for the restaurant industry continued to improve in January, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of…

FC restaurant receives organic certification

February 14, 2006

LOS ANGELES — Organic to Go, an all-natural and organic cafe and corporate meal delivery service, is the first fast-casual restaurant and retailer to receive…

Einstein Brothers set up at Pearl Harbor

February 14, 2006

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Sailors and their families will be saying 'Aloha' to bagels this spring when Sodexho opens an Einstein Brothers on the Navy base at…

2005 profits soar 35% at Panera Bread

February 9, 2006

Profits at Panera Bread rose a whopping 35 percent in 2005. For the 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, net income was $52.2 million versus $38.6 million for the…

Jan. comps rise 10.2 percent at Panera Bread

January 31, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported that system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales increased 10.2 percent for the four weeks ended Jan. 24. The breakdown…

Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers

January 25, 2006

It wasn't long ago that you had to look up the definition of "fast casual" to understand the meaning of this unique restaurant concept that is a hybrid of the…