David Goronkin to head Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp.
Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. has named David Goronkin chief executive officer, replacing company founder Michael Mack. The San Diego-based operator or franchisor of 126 restaurants in 15 states is the...
View ArticleStarbucks to buy La Boulange bakery for $100M
Starbucks on Monday announced an agreement to acquire the San Francisco-based Bay Bread LLC and its La Boulange bakery brand for $100 million in cash. With the acquisition, the Seattle-based...
View ArticlePitfire Artisan Pizza founder launches restaurant incubator
The founder of the growing Pitfire Artisan Pizza chain in Los Angeles is launching a restaurant incubator, called American Gonzo Food Corp, to help develop artisanal brands. Paul Hibler, the five-unit...
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Au Bon Pain rolls out ‘Sandwich 2.0’ menu
Au Bon Pain has launched a dozen new menu items that are part of a platform the bakery café chain is calling “Sandwich 2.0.” Stefano Cordova, the chain’s executive chef and senior vice president of...
View ArticleDenny's launches mobile app for 50 State Challenge
Giving the restaurant industry phrase “drive traffic” new meaning, Denny’s has launched a location-based smartphone app for its new 50 State Challenge marketing campaign. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based...
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A look at the new Eatzi's unit in Texas
SLIDESHOW Eatzi's debuts new Grapevine, Texas, location RELATED • Eatzi's expands into two new locations • Eatzi's poised for growth again • More restaurant industry growth concepts Eatzi’s Market...
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Mendocino Farms strikes investment deal with Catterton Partners
Mendocino Farms on Tuesday announced a capital investment from private equity firm Catterton Partners that will aid the gourmet sandwich chain’s growth. Mario Del Pero, Mendocino Farms’ founder and...
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Taco Bell to roll out Cantina Bell menu nationally
Taco Bell is planning the national rollout on July 5 of its new “gourmet-inspired” Cantina Bell menu that was developed by chef Lorena Garcia. After testing the dishes in about 150 units over the past...
View ArticleSeattle’s Best inks kiosk deal with Coinstar
Seattle’s Best Coffee has signed an exclusive agreement with Coinstar Inc. to roll out new automated coffee kiosk machines in thousands of grocery and other retail stores across the country, bringing...
View ArticleBob Evans looks to remodels, value pricing for sales traction
Bob Evans Farms Inc., the operator of the Bob Evans family-dining brand and the Mimi’s Café casual-dining chain, said it will continue to invest in refurbishing its restaurants and value-driven menu...
View ArticleFazoli's names Craig Sherwood VP of franchise development
Fazoli’s has hired Craig Sherwood as vice president of franchise development for its chain of quick-service Italian restaurants. He replaces James Franks, who left the company earlier this year....
View ArticleRuby Tuesday CEO Sandy Beall to leave company after 40 years
Ruby Tuesday Inc. founder, chairman, chief executive and president Sandy Beall will step down from his positions at Ruby Tuesday upon completion of a search for his successor, the company said...
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When average isn't good enough
Editor's note: This new and exclusive series to Nation’s Restaurant News provides C-level insights into the sales and traffic data from clients subscribing to Black Box Intelligence, a financial...
View ArticlePizza Inn CEO Charles Morrison steps down
Pizza Inn Holdings Inc. said Thursday that chief executive Charles R. Morrison has stepped down and Clinton J. Coleman has been named interim CEO. The Colony, Texas-based company has launched a search...
View ArticleRestaurants' traffic gain best in four years
U.S. consumers increased their number of visits to restaurants and foodservice outlets by 1 percent in the first three months of 2012, the strongest traffic gain since spring 2008, according to The NPD...
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3 profitable restaurant remodels
Restaurant brands are getting more than just a fresh coat of paint with their latest efforts to refresh and remodel. RELATED • McD reimaging boosts franchisee’s business • A look inside Wendy’s newest...
View ArticleJean-Yves Schillinger discusses Noir menu
An array of high profile, high investment nightspots have opened in New York City in recent months. Among them have been Siro’s, a fine dining restaurant and sports bar with investors including New...
View ArticleDunkin’ Brands shuffles executives
Dunkin’ Brands Inc. has appointed Neil Moses, formerly chief financial officer, to the position of chief global strategy officer. Paul Carbone, formerly vice president for finance and strategy for the...
View ArticleBurger King tests mobile payment app
Burger King Corp. has launched a pilot program to test its new mobile payment application in select restaurants in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. The BK Mobile Crown Card pilot program allows...
View ArticleWendy's buys 30 franchised restaurants in Texas
The Wendy’s Co. has completed the purchase of 30 franchised restaurants in the Austin, Texas, market from longtime operators Dave and Jason Near. RELATED • Wendy's cuts forecast after 'disappointing'...
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