Wetzel's Pretzels to put employee in a movie

July 5, 2006

PASADENA, Calif. — Wetzel's Pretzels is giving an employee a chance to appear in a movie.   The pretzel bakery chain is promoting "star-quality" customer…

El Pollo Loco hires renowned chef

July 5, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. — El Pollo Loco Inc. brought aboard 20-year culinary veteran Jonathan Rogan as the manager of culinary development. Rogan will be the first in…

Wendy's introduces Vanilla Frosty

July 4, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's is rolling out a Vanilla Frosty for the first time, beginning in August.   According to a news release, the dairy dessert will be…

CKE Restaurants live by the fat

July 4, 2006

Associated Press: While McDonald's fights obesity claims, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have introduced not-so healthy burgers.    "I think the health craze is…

Chick-fil-A founder gives employees marital counseling

July 4, 2006

USA Today: With a 57-year marriage as a model, the founder of Chick-fil-A wants to help the marital unions of his workers, too.   S. Truett Cathy, 85, has…

Church's Chicken signs new franchisees

July 4, 2006

ATLANTA — Church's Chicken awarded development agreements to four new operators. According to a news release, they will open 10 restaurants within the next few…

Arby's is thinking chicken

Chain became the first in the QSR segment to reach "natural" audience. Marketing campaign takes a stab at McDonald's and Wendy's.

Fast Casual magazine receives award

July 4, 2006

Fast Casual magazine received an APEX Award for Publication Excellence July 5.   The magazine, published by NetWorld Alliance, was one of only 22 magazines…

Arby's opens 3,500th store; CEO serves customers

June 29, 2006

ATLANTA — To celebrate the opening of Arby's 3500th restaurant, chief executive Roland Smith served customers through the drive-thru window. Arby's also gave…

NRA says restaurant outlook remains high

June 29, 2006

WASHINGTON — The outlook for the restaurant industry remained positive in May, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant…

Ben & Jerry's opens first Hawaii shop

June 29, 2006

Biz Journal: The first Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor in Hawaii opened Friday at Ward Centre next to Crazy Shirts. Owner Ronni Tai See, whose company is…

Panda Express opens first military location

June 29, 2006

Panda Express is celebrating the opening of their first military base location on July 5 at Edwards Air Force Base. In honor of both the opening and…

Future Burger King headquarters demolished

June 28, 2006

Miami Herald: Burger King's new headquarters building was damaged heavily when a storm gust knocked a construction crane into the unfinished structure. Nobody…

McDonald's partners with Pirates of the Caribbean

June 27, 2006

OAK BROOK, Ill — McDonald's is riding on the coattails of a popular Disney movie starring Johnny Depp. The "Are You Mac Enough?" promotion is supported by a…

Wendy's to spin off remaining Tim Hortons shares

June 27, 2006

DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's International Inc. has confirmed its intent to spin off to current Wendy's shareholders the 160 million shares of Tim Hortons Inc. it…

Online applications for hourly jobs skyrocket

June 27, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. — What once was recommended for gaining a competitive edge in the war for talent has become a competitive necessity. The Internet is now the…

White Castle crowns its Fastest Griddle employee

June 27, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In celebrating its 85th anniversary, White Castle named the 2006 Fastest Griddle Champion, Susan Childress from Louisville, Ky.   According…

Burger King introduces low-fat chocolate milk

June 27, 2006

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Burger King restaurants nationwide will now offer Hershey's low-fat (1 percent) white and chocolate milk in resealable 8-ounce plastic…

Opinion: CSPI needs a reality check

Why did CSPI choose KFC?

CKE Restaurants report solid Q1

June 26, 2006

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants reported a strong first quarter for the 16 weeks ended May 22.   Same-store sales increased 5.6 percent at both Carl's…