Breakfast drives sales at Sonic
Breakfast has been performing well and has helped Sonic Corp. stabilize same-store sales, executives of the Oklahoma City, Okla.-based drive-in operator said Wednesday. Breakfast, which the 3,555-unit...
View ArticleArby’s names George Condos COO
Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. said Thursday it has named George Condos chief operating officer. Condos succeeds Diana Petrovich-Tao, who left the company. Condos has more than 30 years of experience in...
View ArticleRuby Tuesday loses $2M in 2Q
Ruby Tuesday Inc. Thursday reported a $2 million net loss for its fiscal 2012 second quarter despite posting higher revenue numbers tied to its recent acquisition of restaurants from franchisees....
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Analyst: Quick-service segment has recovered
While casual-dining restaurants continue to languish in the midst of the nation’s slow-motion economic recovery, quick-service chains have rebounded to pre-downturn levels, according to Goldman Sachs...
View ArticleWhite chocolate semifreddo and green apple wasabi sorbet
Cool Plates features dishes from across the country to help inspire chefs' creativity. Pastry chef Michelle Duran made this dessert for a tasting she did while trying out for her job. “I thought, how...
View ArticleOSI Restaurant Partners names new board chair
Liz Smith, chief executive of OSI Restaurant Partners LLC, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, has been elected chairwoman of the company’s board of directors, OSI said Thursday. Smith replaces...
View ArticleAnalyst: Coffee segment set for strong 2012
The coffeehouse segment is poised for a banner year due to rising same-store sales, more stable coffee prices and a boom in consumer packaged goods revenue led by price increases and “K-Cup”...
View ArticleMcCormick & Schmick's officials get $6M+ in Landry's deal
The completion of McCormick & Schmick’s sale to Landry’s Inc. this week came with more than $6 million in payouts to executives and board members of the Portland, Ore.-based seafood chain,...
View ArticleBarrel-aged cocktails add character to mixed drinks
With all the focus on fresh, mixed-to-order cocktails in recent years, perhaps it is inevitable that a countertrend should arise. Enter barrel-aged cocktails, the current darling of creative...
View ArticleDenny's promotes healthful menu options
Denny’s has a reputation as a place for affordable American comfort food, but the 1,600-unit family dining chain is trying to expand its market with value meals, healthful menu items and a new...
View ArticleThe latest chefs on the move
Marc Forgione, chef-owner of New York restaurant Marc Forgione and one of the stars of Iron Chef America, plans to open American Cut steakhouse at Revel, a beachfront hotel slated to open in Atlantic...
View ArticleJamba Juice launches next phase of growth
Pronouncing the turnaround complete, Jamba Juice officials on Monday outlined a second phase of the smoothie chain’s ongoing plan to accelerate its growth into a global health-and-wellness brand. James...
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Outlook 2012: Menu prices will rise
Restaurant operators will increase menu prices this year, mostly between 1 percent and 3 percent, according to an exclusive survey by Nation's Restaurant News. Facing a second straight year of rising...
View ArticleFriendly’s exits Ch. 11
Friendly Ice Cream Corp. has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a new owner – private-equity firm Sun Capital-backed Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC – and fewer locations and less debt. The company,...
View ArticleCapriotti’s promotes Patrick Walls to president
Patrick Walls, former chief operating officer of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Inc., has been promoted to the role of president, effective immediately, the company said Tuesday. Walls, who served as COO...
View ArticleHuddle House CMO on social media, value
Huddle House sales began turning positive early last year with internal improvements, like restaurant remodeling and new limited-time offers, but the brand sought marketing help from outside the...
View ArticleFrisch’s 2Q net rises 12.2%
Frisch’s Restaurants Inc. saw net earnings rise 12.2 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, due to marked improvement in the profitability of its Golden Corral segment and a lower effective tax...
View ArticleBJ’s preliminary 4Q report indicates strong sales
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. pre-announced what it called strong fourth quarter and year-end results on Tuesday, despite challenging comparisons with the prior year. The Huntington Beach, Calif.-based parent...
View ArticleStarbucks Blonde Roast makes national debut
Starbucks’ new Blonde Roast coffee debuted nationally on Tuesday, offering consumers a milder brewed coffee option for the first time in the coffeehouse chain’s 40-year history. The milder roast...
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Presidential politics won't change D.C.
Restaurant operators say it will be politics-as-usual in Washington, D.C., in 2012, even though this is a Presidential election year when candidates work to address voter concerns while campaigning for...
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