Recent News

Arby’s restaurants today announced the introduction of Arby’s Chicken Naturals(TM), made with 100% all-natural chicken.

When screened in slow motion, KFC’s new television campaign reveals a “secret code” that viewers can use to receive coupons. The ad also can be viewed at http://www.KFC.com ,
along with directions on how to reveal the secret code.

Panera Bread has announced it has voluntarily removed trans
fat from its menu. Panera Bread bakery-cafes will roll out the reformulated
products by the end of February 2006.

For the third consecutive year India’s The Economic Times has named Pizza Hut among its “Most Trusted Brands.” Pizza Hut is the only restaurant brand listed among the honorees.

Whether it’s chipotle mamey orange or
parsley black currant, complex and exotic food flavors will make a huge palate
statement in 2006 as consumers continue to demand a bigger bang for their
bite, according to Market Trends: Food Flavors and Ingredients Outlook 2006, a
new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts, a division of
MarketResearch.com, a leading provider of industry-specific market research
reports.

Buffalo Wild Wings has expanded its line of signature sauces to 14.

Hitting the drive-thru may save a few precious minutes, but what you eat could save thousands of dollars in the long run. When it comes to a vehicle’s residual value, it’s what’s on (or not on) the inside that counts.

After 50 years as a cash-only business, Waffle House company-owned restaurants will finally give customers the option of paying with Visa or MasterCard.

SUBWAY Restaurants, the world’s
largest submarine sandwich chain, will heighten sponsorship efforts with
NASCAR’s Greg Biffle of Roush Racing in its third year of team sponsorship.

Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a
definitive agreement with Taxi Holdings Corp., an affiliate of Wellspring
Capital Management LLC, a private equity firm, whereby Taxi Holdings will
acquire all of Checkers’ outstanding shares for $15.00 per share in cash.

Captain D’s LLC, the 35-year-old pioneer in the seafood restaurant fast- casual category, opened its first international operation in Trinidad in Latin America in late January.

Bruegger’s has officially arrived to Winston Salem. The Bagel Boys of Triad franchise group, led by principals Craig Hunter, Guy Hunter and Ralph Heckman, opened Winston Salem’s first Bruegger’s bakery-café in the Towers Plaza at 205 South Stratford Road.

Organic to Go(TM) (O to Go) an
all-natural and organic cafe and corporate meal delivery service, is the first
fast-casual restaurant and retailer to receive organic certification by
Quality Assurance International (QAI), the leading third-party certification
agency in the organic foods industry accredited to the National Organic
Program by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Starbucks has joined with China Soong Ching Ling Foundation in creating a program that will provide tools and improved training for teachers in Western China. The coffee company will provide $1.5 million for the program, which is anticipated to reach approximately 3,000 teachers and students by 2010.

The International Franchise Association has appointed Victoria J. Adams as its new director of political affairs.
Adams will be responsible for developing and implementing overall strategy for the association’s political action committee, FranPAC, as well as fund raising and coordinating IFA’s activities.

Canadian-based Chinese food restaurant chain Manchu WOK is experiencing some big changes. The company was recently brought under new management and is now being run by its main shareholder, Café de Coral a Hong Kong based company.

Krispy Kreme
Doughnuts, Inc. yesterday announced that Krispy Kreme Doughnut
Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has reached a mutual agreement with
its Houston area franchisee, Lone Star Doughnuts, Ltd., to end their existing
franchisor-franchisee relationship.

The newest flavor of Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes &
Malts at Carl’s Jr. combines OREO cookies and ice cream.

The inaugural Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award will be presented at the 2006 Women’s Foodservice Forum’s Annual Leadership Luncheon. Deadline for 2006 nominations is ­March 31, 2006.

Fast, convenient, and healthier options for kids have now been added to the menu at Arby’s.

McDonald’s Corporation
today launched the official global rollout of nutrition
information on its product packaging in restaurants in the 2006 Olympic Winter
Games host city, Torino.

Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Systems, LLC today announced an opening date for its first store to cross Tennessee borders. The store is located in Acworth, Georgia, which is about 30 miles north of Atlanta.

Wendy’s International Inc. today announced it will focus more attention on younger consumers in an effort to increase sales after experiencing declines in sales at restaurants open at least a year for the first time in 18 years, the Associated Press reports.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the California-based Healthy Dining program are teaming up in an unprecedented effort aimed at enabling diners to more easily identify healthful choices at restaurants nationwide.

Domino’s Pizza today announced
the appointment of Christopher K. McGlothlin as executive vice president and
chief information officer.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) today debuted the NRAEF ManageFirst Program, a unique, competency-based certificate program developed for colleges and universities.

Sagittarius Brands of Nashville has signed an agreement to purchase Del Taco, Inc. of Lake Forest, Ca. Del Taco is the nation’s second largest Mexican quick-service chain. Sagittarius Brands is the Nashville-based parent company of Captain D’s Seafood, a pioneer in quick-service casual seafood dining.

O’Naturals, an all natural and organic fast-casual restaurant that has benefited from the growing appetite for fresher, tastier ‘fast food,’ is franchising its successful concept.