Restaurants rely on talent to boost sales

January 14, 2007

Nations Restaurant News: Add Sonic Drive-Ins to the list of chain and independent restaurants that are betting on talent contest tie-ins to snag attention…

Carl's Jr. founder to be honored in California

January 11, 2007

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. announced Jan. 11 that Carl's Jr. founder Carl N. Karcher will be honored in Anaheim, Calif., with a star on its…

U.K. health experts request QSR ban in poor neighborhoods

January 11, 2007

The Scotsman (Scotland): A Medical Research Council team said the high prevalence of quick-service restaurants in poor areas may be one of the factors behind…

Hardee's, Carl's Jr., post strong comps gains in '06

January 10, 2007

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, core brands in the CKE Restaurant portfolio, posted strong comparable-store sales gains in 2006.   According to…

Good Times goes trans-fat free

January 8, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — Good Times Restaurants Inc. announced its move to using trans-fatty-acid free cooking oil.   "We have been doing extensive testing of several…

How Jim Skinner flipped McDonald's

January 8, 2007

The Wall Street Journal: Four years ago, Jim Skinner huddled with a handful of other McDonald's Corp. executives to tackle a big problem: The company, by most…

Jack in the Box adds Bacon Breakfast Jack to the menu

January 7, 2007

SAN DIEGO — Jack in the Box restaurants introduced the Bacon Breakfast Jack, a twist on the chain's classic Breakfast Jack sandwich that traditionally comes…

CKE Restaurants Inc. hires marketing and media VP

January 4, 2007

CARPINTERIA Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. announced the appointment of Anne Blumenstein as vice president of regional marketing and media for its Carl's Jr.

Wendy's Q4 comps up 3.1%

January 4, 2007

DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's International Inc. said same-store sales increased 3.1 percent at U.S. company stores and 2.7 percent at U.S. franchised restaurants…

Sonic Q1 comps up 3.4%

January 3, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sonic Corp., the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, announced results for its first quarter ended Nov. 30, 2006.   Sonic's…

Carl's Jr. rolls out Chipotle Chicken Salad

January 3, 2007

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — Carl's Jr. announced the introduction of its Chipotle Chicken Salad.   The new salad features a freshly made, crispy tortilla shell…

McDonald's named restaurant marketer of the year

January 3, 2007

The Media Post: The 21st-century McDonald's engages in target marketing, and has dipped its toe into digital media. It's expanding its menu to reach new…

Burger King appoints Kerry Foods marketer as U.K. chief

January 2, 2007

Marketing Week: Burger King is boosting its marketing team with the appointment of Sarah Power as its top marketer in the United Kingdom. She joins the chain…

Trans-fats, lawsuits and E. coli dominate 2006 headlines

For some operators, 2006 was a year to forget.

Burger King speaks about U.K. ad ban

December 27, 2006

MIAMI — Burger King Holdings Inc. expects minimal impact to its earnings as a result of the United Kingdom's ban on children's advertising, said Burger King's…

Good Times reports solid 2006

December 27, 2006

GOLDEN, Colo. — Good Times Restaurants Inc. announced the results of their fourth quarter and fiscal year, ended Sept. 30, 2006.   The company reported a net…

Wendy's manager steals $50,000

December 26, 2006

Associated Press: A former Wendy's manager faces six years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing $50,000 from the restaurant during a two-year period.

Burger King sells 2 million Xbox games

December 21, 2006

MIAMI — Burger King said it has sold more than 2 million BK Xbox games in just four weeks.   According to a news release, the BK games join the ranks of…

McDonald's employee retires after 30 years

December 20, 2006

West Virginia Herald: When Sonja Shearer started as a cashier at the new McDonald's in 1970, she made $1.25 an hour and sold hamburgers and french fries for…

McDonald's tests dollar menu at breakfast

December 19, 2006

The Associated Press: Cheap breakfasts are becoming fast food's latest battle zone. Seeking to protect its profitable morning daypart turf, McDonald's is…