Building brand loyalty

Fast casuals are looking to loyalty programs to boost revenue and increase repeat traffic.

Starbucks switches to hormone-free milk

January 16, 2007

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Coffee Co. said Tuesday that it has stopped using dairy products with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, or rBGH, in…

Caribou Coffee partners with Keurig

January 7, 2007

WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Keurig, a gourmet single cup brewer, and Caribou Coffee Company Inc. announced a partnership to market Caribou's gourmet coffees in Keurig…

Moe's Southwest Grill tests trans-fat-free menu

January 7, 2007

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill announced it will test a zero-grams-trans-fat-per-serving menu in 50 locations throughout the country, looking to extend the…

Pizza operators develop fast-casual concepts

Following the trend: Several pizza players are jumping on the fast-casual bandwagon.

Fast Casual 2006: A year in review

Despite lawsuits and mergers, it was a good year for the fast-casual segment.

Cosi ready for 2007

December 26, 2006

Chicago Tribune: Despite its struggles over the years, Cosi's believes it has finally found its niche. Operating in the premium convenience-dining arena, Cosi…

Breakfast business to reach $83 billion by 2015

December 18, 2006

NEW YORK — The business of breakfast is booming, according to The Revolution in Dayparts: Breakfast in the Foodservice Market, a new report from Packaged…

Trans-fat bans based on junk science

Columnist says anti-trans-fat research isn't thorough enough to enact restaurant trans-fat bans.

December is best month for large-order catering business, says Technomic

December 14, 2006

CHICAGO — Food-consultancy Technomic's new study of large-order programs for chains is now being presented to restaurant clients, yielding valuable…

Quiznos terminates franchisees on heels of suicide

The sub chain reacts swiftly following the Web-posting of a franchisee's alleged note.

Popeyes creates fast-casual concept, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

December 11, 2006

ATLANTA — Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises Inc., announced the opening of a fast-casual hybrid concept, Popeyes Louisiana…

Americans are redefining how they eat breakfast

December 11, 2006

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — A new NPD Group study says today's American breakfast is breaking away from the traditional plate with eggs, bacon or sausage, toast…

Culver's switches to zero grams trans-fat cooking oil

December 4, 2006

PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Culver Franchising System, which operates more than 345 Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurger restaurants, announced will complete a…

Fast-casual customers eat alone

Appeal to single diners to make sales grow.

Fast-casual wannabes

Casual-dining restaurants and QSRs create fast-casual concepts to meet customer demand.

First Watch settles sexual discrimination suit

November 26, 2006

Bradenton Herald: First Watch Restaurants Inc., the breakfast-lunch restaurant specialty chain, will pay $230,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit…

Trials and tribulations of a fast-casual independent operator

How one woman handles adversity and keeps her restaurant growing.

Organic to Go expands, acquires capital

November 16, 2006

SEATTLE — Organic To Go (O To Go), the first certified organic fast-casual café, announced the purchase of Vinaigrettes Full Spectrum Catering of Los Angeles.

Panera CEO: There is no such thing as fast casual

The CEO talks about what makes Panera special and why his bakery café should not be lumped into the fast-casual segment.