operations

Crumbs closes all stores; cupcake craze crumbles?

Jul. 08, 2014

News outlets are proclaiming the cupcake craze dead after the country’s largest cupcake chain, Crumbs Bake Shop, announced it would shut down all its stores immediately.

Ralph Brennan unopposed in purchase of Brennan’s restaurant name

Jul. 09, 2014

The lone bidder appears to be Ralph Brennan, from the same family that ran the New Orleans landmark.

Sandell comments on recent earnings release from Bob Evans

Jul. 09, 2014

The fight between the family chain and a major shareholder escalated with this week’s release of lackluster financial results and revelations about what the battle is costing.

Blog: Taking the Starbucks experience one step further

Jul. 10, 2014

The self-professed lifestyle brand is about to add another tech-based service that may ultimately become a common restaurant amenity. But that’s the point of what’s been an effective strategy in the view of one investor-observer.

The week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Special eye-poke edition

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 11, 2014

New food-cost threats, an example of how not to handle shareholder relations and Moe, Larry and Curly are handed spatulas.

Crumbs finds a buyer, but are cupcakes worth saving?

Jul. 11, 2014

News of interest in the cupcake chain from an investment group caused stock prices to jump over 1300 percent, but academics debate whether a national cupcake brand can be saved.

Crumbs to file bankruptcy as part of takeover deal

Jul. 14, 2014

The fast-growing cupcake chain that closed its stores abruptly a week ago has a buyer in Marcus Lemonis, owner of Dippin’ Dots ice cream. The goal is to reopen select locations as well as new ones.

Fro-yo’s freeze out

By Kelly Killian on Jul. 15, 2014

Four years after multiple frozen-yogurt concepts landed in our Future 50's top 10, the list is down to one. Has the fro-yo craze reached its cold, swirly peak?

Improving traffic patterns

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 15, 2014

Steal the directions from up-and-comers’ road maps.

Beverage

Housemade sodas bubble up

By Alia Akkam on Jul. 15, 2014

Despite sales of brand-name soft drinks declining, operators are luring customers with creative, housemade sodas.

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