Commentary: Two McDonald's greats-listen and learn
By Erle Dardick I took this photo in October at the FastCasual Executive Summit in Chicago. Since then, I have been looking at it every once in awhile. For some reason, this photo has increased in …
I Love Velvet intros restaurant solution
I Love Velvet, a hardware and software provider for the point of sale, announced its first product for the hospitality industry in the U.S. The first installation of the customized mobile restaurant …
Firehouse Subs restructures marketing team
Firehouse Subs has announced the promotions of several key marketing members, as well as additional talent following comparable sales increases since late 2009. Doug Reifschneider has been named vice …
Former Einstein Noah CMO heads to Sonic
James O'Reilly, who recently stepped down from his position as chief concept officer at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, has been namedsenior vice president and chief marketing officer at Sonic Corp …
Starbucks, Ai Ni Group partner on joint China coffee venture
As part of its ongoing efforts to help elevate the coffee industry in China's Yunnan Province, Starbucks Coffee Company has announced that it has signed an agreement to form a joint-venture company …
Buffalo Wild Wings taps eSite for business intelligence solution
Business intelligence firm eSite has partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to help the restaurant chain expand beyond 1,000 locations by 2013. eSite will provide a range of services — including …
Top 100: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill No. 23
23. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Miami Beach, Fla. / No. of units: 10 South Florida–based Lime Fresh Mexican Grill entered into a licensing agreement in 2010, granting Ruby Tuesday development …
Einstein Noah marketing & brand leader to leave post
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, operating under the Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel brands, has announced that James P. O'Reilly, who led corporate marketing and …
Chipotle to open second ShopHouse, additional international locations
In Chipotle's fourth quarter conference call, founder and co-CEO Steve Ells said the company plans to open a second ShopHouse location in Washington, D.C., the second half of this year. Ells said the …
Baja Fresh returns to Windy City
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced the grand opening of its newest location in Niles, Ill. The 2,100-square-foot Baja Fresh is owned and operated by Jignesh Patel. The new restaurant encompasses …
New Boloco lineup reflects flavors of India
The globally inspired menu at Boloco is giving consumers an inside look at the flavors of India with the launch of three new menu items: The Simple Curry and Tikka Masala burritos or bowls, and a …
YO!Sushi to open U.S. locations
London-based YO!Sushi signed its first U.S. franchisee in 2011 and plans to open its first two American locations this year in Washington, D.C., with leases signed for at least one additional …
Asian Box to debut in San Francisco
San Francisco-based FK Restaurants & Hospitality will debut its fast casual Asian Box concept in Palo Alto, Calif., this month. The restaurant, inspired by Asian street food carts, will showcase …
Togo's to open 28 units in 2012
Togo's Eateries Inc. experienced an unprecedented year of growth in 2011 with the signing of 23 agreements for new restaurants and the opening of seven new locations in California. In 2012, and as …
Greenz wellness to promote healthy diners
Dallas-based Greenz, salads for z' adventurous, is using a three-tier wellness program for its guests that includes special menu guides (such as points-based diet plans and gluten-free eating), 400 …
Qdoba reaches 600-store milestone
Qdoba Mexican Grill will celebrate the grand opening of its 600th restaurant in Roseville, Mich., on Feb. 6. To celebrate the milestone, the restaurant, which officially opened for business Jan. 30 …
James Greco, former Bruegger's CEO, joins Sbarro
Former Bruegger's chief executive James Greco has been named president, CEO of Sbarro Inc. Greco, who partnered with Sun Capital to acquire Bruegger's in 2003, served as its CEO until the company was …
Top 100: La Madeleine Country French Café No. 24
24. La Madeleine Country French Café Dallas / No. of units: 60 The combination French bakery, European café and family-style bistro La Madeleine is introducing a new prototype that …
Mississippi partners with Healthy Dining to launch nutrition program
The Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association (MHRA) has unveiled an initiative called "Eat Healthy Mississippi" that aims to curb the state's obesity rates, which are the highest in the …
Restaurant performance at highest level in six years
Fueled by solid same-store sales and traffic results and a bullish outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose sharply in …
