Issues outside the kitchen

While you're cooking, the world is brewing with problems. From high gasoline prices to mad cow disease to avian bird flu, there's a lot more impacting your…

Nolan Bushnell's uWink breaks ground

May 10, 2006

LOS ANGELES — uWink Inc., a publicly held digital entertainment company, announced that construction has begun on its entertainment restaurant. Scheduled to…

It's A Grind rolls out iced-blended coffee

May 9, 2006

LONG BEACH, Calif. – As the weather heats up around the country, It's A Grind is offering Coconut Crunch, an iced-blended coffee drink.  According to a news…

Einstein Bros. serves pink bagels for Mother's Day

May 8, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Einstein Bros. Bagels is celebrating Mother's Day by joining forces with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise funds for…

Chipotle intends to file a registration statement

May 8, 2006

DENVER — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. announced that it intends to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed…

Walt Disney cuts ties with McDonald's

May 8, 2006

Chicago Business: McDonald's Corp. happy meals will soon see fewer tie-ins with long-time promotional partner Walt Disney Co. The decade-long partnership that…

To wine or not to wine

Serving wine may be a venture worth looking into. Several fast casuals are boosting dinner sales with the alcoholic beverage.

Rubio's revenue rises but profit falls in Q1

May 3, 2006

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Rubio's Restaurants posted modest first-quarter earnings for the 12-week period ended March 26.    Comparable-store sales increased 0.…

Starbucks Q2 profit rises 27%

May 3, 2006

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. reported its second-quarter profit rose 27 percent. According to a news release, there was a brisk customer demand for its coffee…

TGI Friday's apologizes for finger in food

May 2, 2006

Associated Press: The management of a restaurant has apologized after a diner found a piece of a human finger on his hamburger soon after a worker…

Commentary: Dunkin' not far behind Starbucks

May 1, 2006

Advertising Age: With a focused brand, consistent customer experience and brilliant marketing, Starbucks has persuaded millions to trade up from our 50-cent…

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…

PJ's Coffee brings out the Praline

April 27, 2006

ATLANTA – PJ's Coffee announced its new spring flavored coffee, Praline, to pay tribute to a famous Southern confection. Exclusive to this season, PJ's…

McDonald's reduces Chipotle ownership

April 26, 2006

OAK BROOK, Ill.— McDonald's Corporation announced its plan to reduce its ownership of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the near term and complete the separation of…

BLIMPIE creates Italian sandwiches

April 26, 2006

ATLANTA — This summer BLIMPIE will be offering three Italian-themed panini-grilled sandwiches on its new garlic herb focaccia bread.  Those sandwiches include…

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…

Packaging company targets fast casual

April 25, 2006

ATLANTA — Duni Corporation is targeting the growing fast-casual restaurant segment with its new packaging.  The company will officially launch the new…

Panera sales skyrocket

April 25, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread surpassed analyst expectations for the first quarter ended March 28, 2006.  The company said system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales…

Same-store sales increase 7.7% for Buffalo Wild Wings

April 25, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. announced strong financial results for the first quarter ended March 26, 2006. The company said same-store sales…

Analyst believes pizza helped Panera

April 19, 2006

Reuters: In a recent report, Morgan Keegan analyst Bob Derrington wrote that Crispani pizzas sold at Panera Bread Co. make up about 12 percent of the chain's…