BBC interviews QSRweb.com and FastCasual.com

March 29, 2006

After McDonald's closed more than a dozen stores in London, the BBC interviewed QSRweb.com and Fast Casual Magazine editor Fred Minnick. He discussed…

Video: Generation Y workforce

March 29, 2006

Bahama Breeze treats Generation Y workers. This year, Bahama Breeze restaurants sent top employees from each of its 32 restaurants to Puerto Rico as a reward…

Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverage relaunches in Japan

March 28, 2006

SEATTLE & TOKYO — Starbucks Coffee Company and Suntory Ltd., one of the leading Japanese producers and distributors of food and beverages, announced the…

Einstein Bagels overhauls menu

March 27, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Just in time for spring, the menu at Einstein Bros. Bagels is blossoming with new flavor combinations and meal choices that'll make the warming…

Blogs surface in fast casual

Consumers are writing about your operation. The Burrito Blog writes: "My biggest complaint about Baja is their pre-fabricated menu items."

Jersey Mike's selects InfoSoft Technologies

March 22, 2006

Jersey Mike's Subs has announced the planned installation of InfoPOS software in all 340 of its U.S. stores.   According to InfoSoft Technologies officials…

Shareholders approve Jamba Juice merger

March 22, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jamba Juice shareholders approved a merger with Services Acquisition Corp. International (SVI) March 22.   According to a news…

Starbucks to donate $10 million for water programs

March 22, 2006

SEATTLE— Starbucks plans to contribute at least $10 million over the next five years to non-profit organizations working to alleviate the world water crisis.

Consumers prefer gift cards

March 21, 2006

CHICAGO—Consumer use of restaurant gift cards is growing steadily, according to restaurant research firm, Technomic.   According to a news release, 35 percent…

Restaurant design experts to offer free advice at NRA Show

March 20, 2006

CHICAGO—Attendees of the 2006 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show needing design help can get it for free in the Ask the Design…

Chicago Tribune questions Chipotle stock

March 19, 2006

CHICAGO —  Chipotle's Mexican Grill Inc. became the target of a Chicago Tribune report March 18 that questioned the value of its share price following a week…

Wall Street Journal recognizes Panera Bread's stock performance

March 19, 2006

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Wall Street Journal included Panera Bread to its 2006 'Shareholder Scoreboard.' Across the 1,000 largest companies evaluated, Panera was…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe chooses MICROS RES 3000

March 19, 2006

COLUMBIA, Md. — MICROS Systems Inc. announced that Tropical Smoothie Café has named MICROS RES 3000 the corporate standard. The company has begun deployment…

March Madness by the wing

Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop and Wing Zone target sports fans. The three top wing chains are attempting to draw the March Madness crowd, young male…

Boston Market to give away 4,000 dinners for Daylight Savings

March 16, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS— Boston Market restaurants will give away more than 4,000 free rotisserie chicken lunches April 2.  According to a news release, nine Indianapolis…

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Cafes to replace Seattle's Best in Ralphs Grocery Stores

March 16, 2006

LOS ANGELES—The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Los Angeles-based specialty coffee and tea retailer, has announced that their strategic partnership with Ralphs…

Starbucks introduces Rwanda coffee

March 15, 2006

SEATTLE—Starbucks Coffee Company introduced Rwanda Blue Bourbon coffee, its first ever from Rwanda and the 10th coffee in its Black Apron Exclusives line-up.…

Senate approves health insurance plan for small businesses

March 15, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions approved legislation that would make health insurance more affordable and…

Cosi reports $6 million fourth-quarter net loss

March 15, 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Cosi Inc. reported Wednesday evening a fourth-quarter net loss of $6.04 million compared with a net loss of $6.58 million during the same…

Chipotle shares jump 12%

March 14, 2006

Chipotle Mexican Grill shares jumped 12 percent March 14 just a day after the fast-casual restaurant chain unveiled strong quarterly results in the first…