Panera Bread Q1 revenues increase 35%

April 4, 2006

ST. LOUIS — Panera Bread Company reported that revenue for the first-quarter ended March 28 increased 35 percent to $194 million from $144 million in the…

Panera Bread changes at the top

April 3, 2006

ST LOUIS — Panera Bread Co. said it will replace chief financial officer Mark Hood with Jeff Kip, vice president of finance and planning, effective May 5. …

Raving Brands contributes $2MM to charity

April 2, 2006

Raving Brands partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as the organization's largest single contributor with a $2 million…

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.

Rumbi Island Grill opens in Arizona

April 2, 2006

AZcentral.com: A fast-casual restaurant that offers South Pacific, Caribbean and island food is preparing to debut its first Southeast Valley location in…

Nolan Ryan and 'the Rocket' invest in Earl of Sandwich

April 2, 2006

Houston Business Journal: A group of investors including Don Sanders, founder and chairman of Sanders Morris Harris, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and seven-time…

Cold Stone, Monster Garage build ultimate ice cream truck

April 2, 2006

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery and the Monster Garage teamed up to construct the ultimate ice cream truck. The construction of the truck will air on…

Technomic studying impacts of Mad Cow and avian flu on foodservice

March 30, 2006

CHICAGO— As avian influenza (AI) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) trigger supply disruptions and volatile conditions for meat and poultry markets…

Starbucks upgrades tea offerings

March 30, 2006

SEATTLE— Inspired by green tea matcha used in ancient Japanese tea rituals, Starbucks will add two new green tea beverages made with real Japanese matcha…

Caribou Coffee to install 300 kiosks by 2008

March 30, 2006

Caribou Coffee said it has helped improve the customer experience at its 400 shops worldwide by implementing innovative IBM kiosk and point-of-sale (POS…

Boston Market begins Internet contest

March 30, 2006

DENVER — Boston Market wants to see what people would do with their extra time. The Web site MyExtraHour.com is an interactive site designed to invite…

Restaurant Holdings acquires New York NY Fresh Deli

March 30, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Restaurant Holdings Inc., formerly Passport Restaurants Inc., acquired the emerging fast-casual chain, New York NY Fresh Deli, as listed on…

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…

A look into fast-casual ovens

March 30, 2006

With more and more fast casuals toasting sandwiches, ovens are more important than ever. And there are more oven choices today than ever before. From…

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…

The art of takeout packaging

March 30, 2006

Research shows that takeout packaging is just as important to consumers as the food. According to a recent Dixie Foodservice survey, 50 percent of consumers…

First Watch expands in Florida

March 29, 2006

BRADENTON, Fla. — First Watch Restaurants Inc. entered the southeast Florida market with its new Plantation location March 27.    First Watch serves…

BLIMPIE celebrates 42nd anniversary

March 29, 2006

ATLANTA — To celebrate its 42nd anniversary, BLIMPIE is featuring "Hot Classic" subs for April.   According to a news release, the Hot Classics line-up…

Austin loves Freebirds

March 29, 2006

Austin360: Freebirds World Burrito has developed a unique relationship with its clientele. The 15-year-old company — not from Austin — relies on a few simple…