Emerging Concept: City Bites is ready to roll

by Julie Sturgeon — independent journalist, CEOEditor, Inc.

Blevins brothers created this fast-casual concept. Now they're prepared to take their sandwich chain national.

Chipotle, Panera appeal to Whole Foods crowd

September 21, 2006

Madison Times: While Whole Foods isn't often thought of as a restaurant, it has been drawing in hordes of customers hungry for its organic offerings. It leads…

Fast casual takes off in Louisville

September 18, 2006

Courier Journal: The fast-casual scene is taking off in Louisville, Ky.   Former U.S. KFC president Don Doyle is the franchisee for all six Qdoba restaurants…

Background checks prevent the hiring of bad employees

No fast-casual operation is too small to avoid doing background checks on new hires.

Panera and Boston Market top Technomic's report on fast-casual restaurants

August 28, 2006

CHICAGO — Panera Bread and Boston Market topped Technomic's Top 100 Quick Casual Chain Restaurant Report. The research company released the report Aug. 28. The…

Organic food sales up 17%

August 27, 2006

OTA: The Organic Trade Association reported the results from its annual survey. According to the report, the U.S. organic industry grew 17 percent overall to…

Passport Restaurants seeking $10M for fast-casual development

August 24, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passport Restaurants Inc., a restaurant holding company, announced that it has retained a New York investment banking firm to assist the…

Hamburgers: Not just for drive-thrus anymore

The fast-casual burger concept hasn't exactly taken off like the bakery café segment, but the American tradition may be set to grow.

Café Express introduces two salads

August 20, 2006

HOUSTON —Café Express has rolled out two new salads: the Crispy Chicken Chop House Salad and the Grilled Chicken Chop House Salad.   Each salad is comprised…

Noah's New York Bagels celebrates 17 years, debuts anniversary blend

August 14, 2006

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — In honor of its 17th anniversary, Noah's Bagels is offering its guests a great, new caffeinated beverage, according to a press release.

VeriFone acquires Trintech's payment systems business

August 14, 2006

SAN JOSE, Calif. — VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced in a press release that it has agreed to acquire the payment systems business of Trintech Group PLC in an…

Nevada minimum wage proposal pits unions against restaurant group

August 14, 2006

Associated Press: A proposal on the November ballot to increase Nevada's minimum wage by $1 an hour has pitted union groups against the Nevada Restaurant…

Casual-dining restaurants at lowest point

August 14, 2006

AdAge: Sharp declines in same-store sales among some of the biggest players in the $331 billion restaurant industry have analysts and marketers worrying…

Airport security measures hardly impact store sales

  Panda Express and Starbucks do not anticipate major bumps. But some experts say it's too early to judge.  

Chipotle displaces Baja Fresh in Pittsburgh market

August 10, 2006

Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh's ongoing burrito binge is officially about to get an extra helping.  Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill has made…

Opinion: Free Wi-Fi draws office crowds

August 8, 2006

Technology Evangelist: Since discovering Panera's free Wi-Fi service, our company has eaten at Panera at least once a week; both at restaurants near our…

Mintel Report pegs fast casual as hot dining segment

August 7, 2006

CHICAGO — A recent Mintel report estimates that total sales at leading fast-casual chains in the United States doubled in the last five years.   "An increased…

Canadian fast casual moving into the U.S.

August 2, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Canadian-born Mr. Greek chain is ramping up its franchise sales and crossing the border.   "Greek cuisine is right behind Italian…

Subway franchisee launches cell phone marketing program

August 1, 2006

BUFFALO, N.Y. — MobileLime, a mobile phone marketing company, said 12 Subway units will market to preferred customers in real-time by offering alerts and…

Chipotle and Boston Market take bird-flu precautions

July 30, 2006

Denver Post: While the much-talked-about H5N1 avian flu virus has yet to make an appearance on American soil, Colorado restaurants that rely on poultry sales…