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…

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…