Monthly Archives: July 2014

Steakhouse concepts seek a wider audience

America loves a high-end steakhouse, and the pricey fine-dining chains offering big steaks and generous cocktails are seeing a recovery from the recession like no other segment. Chains like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Del Frisco’s and The Capital Grille have been bolstered by the return of business travel and boons in the stock market, and their well-heeled customers are not balking at an average check of $100 or more. Still, even as the casual-dining segment struggles to build traffic, some steakhouse operators see an opportunity to bring the traditional steakhouse experience to the middle market as well. The ONE Group…

Uno debuts new fast-casual concept

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Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp. is experimenting with a new fast-casual concept, Uno Fresco, which opened in Stoneham, Mass., last month. The parent company of Uno Pizzeria & Grill, the 131-unit casual-dining chain, also franchises five fast-casual Uno Dué Go locations in Texas, Wisconsin and Ohio, and operates one location in Boston, where the company is headquartered. Uno Dué Go serves breakfast and lunch, and has a separate grab-and-go bakery section. Uno Fresco serves lunch and dinner. Chris Westcott, vice president at Uno Fresco, said Uno Dué Go is suitable for urban settings, while Uno Fresco is designed more for the…

San Diego chefs, restaurateurs collaborate on new concept

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As Mario Batali’s Eataly concept grows outside New York, a group of chefs and restaurateurs in San Diego next month will debut their own take on the restaurant-meets-market format that they hope to grow from the West Coast. Bottega Americano will open in August in downtown San Diego’s East Village. Inspired by the great food halls and specialty food marketplaces of Europe, the 8,000-square-foot concept is being developed by Giuseppe Ciuffa, founder and chief executive of San Diego catering firm Giuseppe Fine Restaurants & Fine Catering, and David Warner, a former chef of the chic ocean view restaurant JRDN. Greg…

Starbucks Test Mobile Ordering

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Chain to test mobile ordering, paying ahead for pickup later this year Starbucks on Thursday recorded yet another stellar quarter, saying food sales boosted the coffeehouse chain’s transactions and average check. The report came as competitor Dunkin’ Donuts relayed somewhat lackluster sales, blaming a challenging macroeconomic climate and competitive pressure during the breakfast daypart. Starbucks, on the other hand, said sales of its new breakfast sandwiches launched in March increased 40 percent during the quarter. Food attachments continued to grow as the chain completes the rollout of the La Boulange morning pastry lineup, and new lunch offerings to come later…

Wendy’s testing customizable burgers

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Chain joins McDonald’s in quest to bring fast-casual touch to QSR Neither of them is known as the national burger brand that wants you to “Have it your way,” but now Wendy’s reportedly is joining McDonald’s in the race to bring customized, build-your-own burgers to quick service. According to a report in USA Today, Wendy’s is testing custom burgers with a new operations process in two Columbus, Ohio, restaurants. The 6,500-plus-unit chain, based in nearby Dublin, Ohio, has spent much of chief executive Emil Brolick’s nearly three-year tenure trying to position itself as a “premium QSR” brand through its Image…

Applebee’s teams with Flixster to help moviegoers find restaurants

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Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar has teamed up with smartphone movie app Flixster in a bid to lure moviegoers to add dinner nearby to their movie plans. Applebee’s, the 2,000-unit casual-dining division of DineEquity Inc., on July 1 added a “Find Applebee’s Nearby” button in the popular Flixster movie-discovery application that comes up when a user searches for a theater location. When users click on the Applebee’s “Find” button, it takes them to a page that features the chain’s new “Take Two Menu,” and another button that transports them to Google Maps and the nearest Applebee’s location to the theater…