Dec 17, 2009

SCOTTSDALE Ariz. The board of directors at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. has authorized a share repurchase program that will allow the company to buy up to $100 million in its common stock through Dec. 15, 2011. The company said it would use...

Baja Fresh operator to franchise Freshii's

Dec 17, 2009

CHICAGO Baja Fresh franchisee Goel Management has acquired the master franchise rights for fast-casual chain Freshii in the Philadelphia area. Goel, which franchises 12 Baja Fresh locations as well as Verizon Wireless retail stores, said it plans...

Carl’s Jr.: Who says salads can’t be hot?

Dec 16, 2009

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Domino's delivers a whole new pizza

Dec 16, 2009

ANN ARBOR Mich. Domino’s Pizza has no plans to enter middle age quietly. To celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, the chain is introducing a new pizza that has been reformulated from the crust up.Chief executive David Brandon calls the...

Kona Grill hires marketing VP

Dec 15, 2009

SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Kona Grill Inc., parent of the 24-unit American grill and sushi bar chain, has named Rachel Phillips-Luther to the new post of vice president of marketing and brand innovation.Phillips-Luther most recently was vice president of...

Wendy's to open first unit in Singapore

Dec 15, 2009

ATLANTA Less than a week after confirming its withdrawal from Japan, Wendy's said it would open its first restaurant in Singapore this week. The Wendy’s unit, the first of 35 to be opened in Singapore over the next decade by franchisee the...

Schussler fired up about new BBQ concept

Dec 15, 2009

KANSAS CITY Kan. Nothing about the opening of Backfire BBQ, the latest concept from restaurant impresario Steven Schussler, is conventional. First, it’s a barbecue restaurant in a barbecue town. The concept is tied to reality TV stars, the Teutul...

Credit market remains chilly as banks look to limit exposure

Dec 14, 2009

While the credit freeze has thawed from its coldest point a year ago, only small drips of capital are falling into the coffers of the restaurant industry.Operators large and small, as well as the International Franchise Association, or IFA, say...

Alvarez retirement highlights importance of succession plans

Dec 14, 2009

OAK BROOK Ill. —The Nov. 30 announcement that McDonald’s Corp. president and chief operating officer Ralph Alvarez would retire may have surprised industry watchers and the analyst community, but...