Seattle’s King County approves nation’s second menu-labeling law

Jul 30, 2007

SEATTLE —Chain restaurants here and in other parts of Washington’s King County will be required to post nutrition information on menus and menu boards beginning Aug. 1, 2008, under a law approved...

Mayfield: Offering health insurance also covers employers

Jul 30, 2007

With an estimated 44 million workers uninsured nationwide and legislation pending in 31 states to mandate health insurance for all workers, restaurant operators who can figure out now how to offer health benefits to their employees...

NPD: Industry must appeal to teens’ more sophisticated tastes

Jul 30, 2007

To appeal to the sophisticated teens about to flood college campuses nationwide, dining directors need to take the mystery out of mystery meat, put the customer back in customer service and offer students a total dining experience, say officials...

Au Bon Pain offers more nutrition info via the web

Jul 30, 2007

BOSTON Au Bon Pain, the fast-casual bakery-café chain based here, has unveiled a new website, www.aubonpain.com, that features more nutritional information than did the site it replaces. The 255-unit chain’s website includes a “Smart Menu”...

Luby's shareholder demands a sale or other price-boosting move

Jul 30, 2007

HOUSTON The largest independent shareholder of Luby's Inc. has asked management to explore a sale of the company or other strategic maneuvers to boost the value of the cafeteria operator's stock. New York-based Ramius Capital Group LLC...

J. Alexander's posts strong 2-Q profits, with a caution

Jul 30, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. J. Alexander's Corp., operator of the namesake casual-dining chain, reported a 34-percent rise in net income on a 4.2 percent rise in revenues for the second quarter, but warned of a possible slowdown for the remainder of the year...

Calif. operators hail new model produce program

Jul 30, 2007

SACRAMENTO CALIF. —Foodservice operators are optimistic that the formal launch of the auditing and enforcement arm of a recently created public-private partnership will improve the safety of...

Fresh Ideas

Jul 30, 2007

Like senior citizens dancing the Electric Slide at a grandchild’s wedding reception and then having a video clip posted on YouTube.com to prove it, the...

Wok this way: Interactive stir-fry concepts hit the road

Jul 30, 2007

CHICAGO —The new owners of Stir Crazy, one of several full-service Asian chains with interactive stir-fry stations that have experienced sluggish growth since debuting in the 1990s, plan to light a...