If the collective sales momentum of America’s largest foodservice chains essentially stalled in their latest completed fiscal years — as chronicled in June’s Top 100 report by Nation’s Restaurant News — it should come as no surprise that their smaller rivals fared worse.

With the recession in full swing, cheap, convenient food can be a marketplace winner, so...

DEERFIELD Ill. Cosi Inc., the parent of 152 namesake bakery-cafes, said late Thursday its board...