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…

LA push to ban trans fat hits wall

January 29, 2007

Los Angeles Times: A campaign by Los Angeles County to ban the use of trans fat in restaurants suffered a setback Friday when legal advisors told public…

Starbucks plans to offer mp3 downloads

January 25, 2007

BLOOMBERG: Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. plans to begin offering downloads for portable music players sometime this year, Starbucks Entertainment president…

HyperActive Tech, Zaxby's partner

January 25, 2007

PITTSBURGH — Zaxby's Franchising Inc., a fast casual restaurant chain with more than 350 locations throughout the southeastern United States, has named…

Building an e-mail list

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

January 25, 2007

When it comes to a customer-based e-mail list, McAlister's Deli has learned bigger is better.

Panera marks trans-fat-free anniversary

January 22, 2007

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — February marks the one-year anniversary of Panera Bread's voluntary removal of trans fat from its bakery-cafe menu on a national…

Starbucks switches to hormone-free milk

January 16, 2007

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starbucks Coffee Co. said Tuesday that it has stopped using dairy products with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, or rBGH, in…

Caribou Coffee partners with Keurig

January 7, 2007

WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Keurig, a gourmet single cup brewer, and Caribou Coffee Company Inc. announced a partnership to market Caribou's gourmet coffees in Keurig…

Moe's Southwest Grill tests trans-fat-free menu

January 7, 2007

ATLANTA — Moe's Southwest Grill announced it will test a zero-grams-trans-fat-per-serving menu in 50 locations throughout the country, looking to extend the…

Cosi ready for 2007

December 26, 2006

Chicago Tribune: Despite its struggles over the years, Cosi's believes it has finally found its niche. Operating in the premium convenience-dining arena, Cosi…

Breakfast business to reach $83 billion by 2015

December 18, 2006

NEW YORK — The business of breakfast is booming, according to The Revolution in Dayparts: Breakfast in the Foodservice Market, a new report from Packaged…

December is best month for large-order catering business, says Technomic

December 14, 2006

CHICAGO — Food-consultancy Technomic's new study of large-order programs for chains is now being presented to restaurant clients, yielding valuable…

Popeyes creates fast-casual concept, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

December 11, 2006

ATLANTA — Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises Inc., announced the opening of a fast-casual hybrid concept, Popeyes Louisiana…

Americans are redefining how they eat breakfast

December 11, 2006

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — A new NPD Group study says today's American breakfast is breaking away from the traditional plate with eggs, bacon or sausage, toast…

Culver's switches to zero grams trans-fat cooking oil

December 4, 2006

PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Culver Franchising System, which operates more than 345 Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurger restaurants, announced will complete a…

First Watch settles sexual discrimination suit

November 26, 2006

Bradenton Herald: First Watch Restaurants Inc., the breakfast-lunch restaurant specialty chain, will pay $230,000 to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit…

Organic to Go expands, acquires capital

November 16, 2006

SEATTLE — Organic To Go (O To Go), the first certified organic fast-casual café, announced the purchase of Vinaigrettes Full Spectrum Catering of Los Angeles.

New York trans-fat ban receives big-time support

October 30, 2006

Reuters: The New York City proposal to ban trans-fats is receiving a lot of support. The American College of Cardiology was one of several medical groups that…

El Pollo Loco introduces $5 reward card

October 17, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco is offering a free $5 reward card to every guest who purchases a family meal through Jan. 7.    Family meals come in several…

El Pollo Loco withdraws IPO

October 11, 2006

El Pollo Loco Holding Inc. withdrew its $135 million initial public offering with underwriter Bank of America.   "El Pollo Loco's decision not to execute an…