Starbucks officially launches record label

March 12, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Starbucks and Concord Music Group announced today the formation of a new Hear Music record label.   The company will be based in Los Angeles…

Subway introduces "fit" menu

March 7, 2007

MILFORD, Conn. — The Subway restaurant chain is introducing new "fit" menu items on March 12 in its restaurants across the country.   The new Subway Fresh…

Bruegger's desserts go trans-fat free

March 1, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's has cut trans fat from its dessert line in all 255 bakeries, the company announced March 1.    Their trans-fat-free dessert…

Noah's Bagels adds fair trade coffee

February 27, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — Noah's Bagels, a subsidiary of New World Restaurant Group Inc, is introducing Tribeca Blend, the brand's first certified organic and fair…

Restaurant activity index drops

February 27, 2007

Sustainable farming grows on chefs

Farm-to-table forges ahead as one of the restaurant industry's fastest-growing eco trends.

Starbucks stakes a claim on the corner grocery

February 21, 2007

MSNBC: Coffee giant Starbucks is moving into grocery stores and other retail outlets around the world. The company is slated to begin selling its coffee beans…

9 ways to share the love

February 21, 2007

Give to your community and they will give back to you.  

Earth-friendly fare

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

As restaurants go green, options for operators grow in numbers.

New York Burger Co. dubbed 'best burger'

February 14, 2007

New York — New York Burger Co. was voted "Best Burger" by AOL Cityguide's consumer voters. The fast-casual restaurant also won the title in 2005.   The…

Moe's adds grilled tilapia

February 13, 2007

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Raving Brands Inc., is introducing grilled tilapia at the burrito chain's 334 nation-wide…

Brawling over breakfast

The fast-casual battle for breakfast is shaping up to be a bruiser.

Fast Casual launches reader survey

February 11, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fast Casual.com has launched a reader survey designed to pinpoint hot topics and products as they relate to fast-casual trends and…

Starbucks dropping trans fat from China outlets

February 7, 2007

Arab Times: Starbucks Corp. plans to eliminate food items containing trans fat from its outlets in China within the next six months, the company said. The…

Fast casual segment growing in Toledo

February 5, 2007

Toledo Blade: For years, Panera Bread was king of the Toledo fast-casual market. In recent months, however, several other fast-casual chains have moved into…

California Tortilla launches text-message promotion

February 5, 2007

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain California Tortilla is using a text-message campaign to enroll customers in its newly launched VIP…

Espresscio Kiosks to focus on office complexes

February 5, 2007

HEATHROW, Fla. — Ultimate Franchise Systems Inc. has developed a fast-casual concept to focus on high rise buildings, office complexes and…

Bruegger's keeps on rollin'

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Marking its 11th consecutive quarter of growth, Bruegger's CEO Jim Greco looks toward the future.

McDonald's takes Starbucks to the mat

February 4, 2007

Eagle-Tribune: McDonald's Corp.'s coffee has bested brews from Starbucks Corp., Burger King Holdings Inc. and Dunkin' Donuts Inc., according to Consumer…

Minimum wage, maximum impact

With the Senate passing its own version of a bill to increase minimum wage, where the issue will land is anybody's guess.