Chain Operations includes chain profiles, news on chain restaurants, trend pieces and new concepts.
Bravo!, Cheesecake Factory, Granite City, Roundtable Pizza and Which Wich all announce operating results.
CPK, LongHorn Steakhouse, P.F. Chang's, Pizza Inn and Wendy's/Arby's all reported operating updates this past week.
Featuring a production area that's one-third smaller than its older restaurants, the new Fazoli's prototype maximizes efficiency and minimizes throughput time and staffing levels.
While the majority of the foodservice industry took its lumps during the U.S. recession, the fast-casual segment remained resilient. In fact, the segment enjoyed a 4.5 percent increase in sales in 2009, according to Technomic, a Chicago-based market research firm. While the segment did benefit from consumers trading down, its success was also due to operators' willingness to continue to develop their menu mix to meet consumers' ever-evolving tastes. Take, for example, Camille's Sidewalk Café.
Owners since 1984, the Brooks family has sold its ownership of Hooters.
Domino's, CPK, The Cheesecake Factory, Energy Kitchen and Greenz all announced expansion news.
Qdoba Mexican Grill promoted a pair in its restaurant operations department and an other in the area of franchise development.