Charo Chicken selects advertising agency

February 9, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — The Charo Chicken restaurant chain has appointed Johnson-Ukropina Creative Marketing as its marketing and advertising agency. With 2…

2005 profits soar 35% at Panera Bread

February 9, 2006

Profits at Panera Bread rose a whopping 35 percent in 2005. For the 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, net income was $52.2 million versus $38.6 million for the…

New site allows consumers to search for healthful restaurants

February 7, 2006

WASHINGTON , D.C. — The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the California-based Healthy Dining program teamed up to create HealthyDiningFinder.com. The…

Buffalo Wild Wings announces fourth-quarter results

February 7, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 25, 2005. Total revenue increased 21.3 percent over…

Fast casual reaches Japan

February 6, 2006

The Daily Yomiuri: Fast-casual restaurants have found their way to Japan. It's the fastest-growing segment in the country. Mos Food Services Inc., known for…

Panda Express supports charities with plush panda bear sales

February 6, 2006

ROSEMEAD, Calif. — Panda Express is selling plush panda bears to raise funds for the American Red Cross and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Panda Express…

Trading product for air time

In every episode of the Showtime series "Weeds," a character drinks It's A Grind coffee. The only catch is Showtime requested fresh-brewed coffee.

Yum! Brands becomes first presenting sponsor of Churchill Downs

January 31, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs racetrack announced a partnership with Yum! Brands Inc. Yum! Brands will become the first presenting sponsor of the Kentucky…

Super Bowl Sunday is big business

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend $5.3 billion preparing for or executing Super Bowl-related activities.

Restaurants to report earnings

January 26, 2006

  MarketWatch: Some of the biggest names in the restaurant industry will be releasing quarterly results next week.   On an industry-wide basis, restaurant…

Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers

January 25, 2006

It wasn't long ago that you had to look up the definition of "fast casual" to understand the meaning of this unique restaurant concept that is a hybrid of the…

Bennigan's introduces express concept in Mexico

January 24, 2006

PLANO, Texas — Bennigan's Grill and Tavern has opened its first Bennigan's Express restaurant in the Diversia Fun Center in Monterrey, Mexico. The express…

Bob Evans Farms announces closing of eight remaining Owens restaurants

January 24, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bob Evans Farms announced that it has closed its eight remaining Owens Restaurants in Texas and signed a definitive agreement for an…

Mad-cow case confirmed in Alberta

January 23, 2006

Calgary Sun: The latest case of mad-cow disease has been confirmed in a 6-year-old cow born and raised in Alberta, Canada, the country's food inspection…

Contactless payment equals time and money saved

When compared to the time it takes to write a check, swiping a traditional credit card is blisteringly fast.

Japan halts U.S. beef shipments

January 19, 2006

NEW YORK — Cattle futures fell Friday after Japan said it will halt U.S. beef imports until the U.S. government clarifies how material considered at risk for…

Are organic foods oversold?

January 16, 2006

MarketWatch: When it comes to food quality in the United States, all apples are created equal. Or are they?   "The science to date does not indicate a clear…

Long Range Systems and Dynamics Direct bring e-mail marketing to restaurant industry

January 16, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Dynamics Direct Inc. and Long Range Systems have teamed up to bring e-mail marketing capabilities to the restaurant marketplace.   According to…

Card use increases for small purchases

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Consumers buy more with plastic than cash.

Fast-casual concept well received in Utica

January 11, 2006

Observer-Dispatch: Keeping up with the Joneses has taken on a new meaning at a Utica, N.Y., restaurant specializing in Mexican food.