La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill partners with nonprofit group

April 18, 2006

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill is celebrating Cinco de Mayo "grande-style" by teaming with Dream Foundation. The fast-casual restaurant…

Hypercom introduces smallest handheld wireless payment terminal

April 18, 2006

LAS VEGAS —  Hypercom Corp. introduced the electronic payment industry's first high-security palm-sized 32-bit wireless credit/debit terminal with signature…

VeriFone produces successor to Omni 3750

April 17, 2006

LAS VEGAS — VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced that its recently introduced Vx 570 payment system has been certified for merchant transaction processing by RBS…

Wendy's CEO retires

April 17, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio —Wendy's International chairman and chief executive Jack Schuessler announced his retirement April 17.   The company also said that it will…

Bear Rock introduces organic bread

April 17, 2006

CARY, N.C. — Bear Rock Café announced the launch of a new organic artisan bread.   "An organic bread was a natural evolution for our brand," said Deneen…

Planet Smoothie launches new flavors

April 16, 2006

ATLANTA — Planet Smoothie has launched three new flavors in a limited-time offer: Groovy Granny Apple, Way Out Watermelon and Outa Sight Orange.   The…

The state of the London coffeehouse

Traditional cafés stave off Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks may have actually helped the once-dying London coffeehouse.

Panda Express launches "Garlic Creations"

April 13, 2006

ROSEMEAD, Calif. — The power of garlic can be experienced at Panda Express from April 26 through June 17, when Panda chefs celebrate the Garlic Creations…

Starbucks may top McDonald's as No. 1 chain

April 12, 2006

Reuters: Think there's already a Starbucks on every corner? Just wait. The fast-growing chain plans to nearly triple in size and some see it growing even…

Q1 comps rise 6.4% at California Pizza Kitchen

April 11, 2006

LOS ANGELES— California Pizza Kitchen reported its comparable-restaurant sales increased approximately 6.4 percent for the period ended April 2, versus an…

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…

Fast-casual concepts attract the Washington lunch crowd

April 9, 2006

Washington Post: The Washington D.C. lunch crowd is patronizing fast-casual concepts more frequently than other concepts. They're eating at Cosi, Potbelly…

Making business sense of charities

Raving! Brands, Panda Express and Starbucks charities look good to the public and build brand awareness.

Wingstop posts 11th straight quarter of comps growth

April 6, 2006

DALLAS — Wingstop benefited from the Super Bowl and March Madness for a positive first quarter ended April 1.   According to a news release, comparable-store…

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…

Baja Fresh sales dip in Q1

April 5, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — Baja Fresh Mexican Grill's system same-store sales declined 3.6-3.8  percent. The restaurant's parent, Wendy's International Inc., announced…

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…

Taco Del Mar selects Colorado master developers

April 5, 2006

SEATTLE — Gary Robison and Nick Kraft of El Grande Tacos were selected as Taco Del Mar master developers for Colorado, according to a news release. Kraft and…

Caribou CEO earns $2.4MM while stock declines

April 4, 2006

Business Journal: Caribou Coffee Co. chief executive Michael Coles made $2.4 million in salary, bonuses and stock grants 2005, while his company went public…

Peet's Coffee & Tea celebrates 40 years

April 4, 2006

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. announced the launch of its 40th Anniversary celebration in its 113 company-owned stores and nationwide home…