Restaurant News Bites: Starbucks, Panera Bread, Chipotle

Restaurant News Bites: Starbucks, Panera Bread, ChipotleScammers are targeting Ottawa, Canada eateries with a familiar scam. They are posing as fake health inspectors and threatening the restaurant owners into calling a phone number and entering a code. This code creates a Craigslist account, which the scammers then use to sell stolen or non-existent merchandise. Restaurants should check with a local health department if this happens to them.

The world’s largest coffee chain, Starbucks, may have never appeared to be struggling. The book recently written by Howard Schultz, the CEO of the company, reveals how he came back in 2008 to save the chain as it slowly began to sink. Due to his careful actions and constant diligence the chain never dropped below 16,000 locations and is now growing again.

Roark Capital Group now owns bustling and popular chains like Corner Bakery and Arby’s after a number of buyouts last week. However, the large company is not yet satisfied and is looking again for new purchases. The company only employs 38 staffers, but the group owns over 25 companies of the 38 total that it has purchased.

The National Restaurant Association is taking on the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service again for restaurant owners everywhere. The association submitted their suggestions this week on how the new health care regulations should be defined. Requiring small franchisee and single restaurant owners to buy health insurance plans for part-time employees could ruin the industry.

Chipotle Mexican Grill isn’t taking any chances in the current on-going criminal investigation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The chain has hired a team of top corporate lawyers from Washington, D.C. to defend the company if any charges are pressed. Early findings have shown the hiring of undocumented workers at Chipotle locations in Virginia and Minnesota.

The unique and signature colors, inviting atmosphere and exciting panini menu of Panera Bread were all developed in the Utica, New York area by resident Scott Davis. Davis is the chief concept officer for the chain and is responsible for creating the complete brand image of Panera Bread. He makes decisions about the exact colors used in counter tops and how sandwiches are named.

Boundless Enterprises, the corporation behind the popular Scooter’s Coffeehouse chain, is currently developing a new self-serve frozen yogurt concept. The chain will be called “Yoji Frozen Yogurt” and will be the company’s second brand. The new concept will be added to existing Scooter’s Coffeehouse locations for testing first.

Labor disagreements in the professional football industry have led to the stalling of the current season. Buffalo Wild Wings is the home of football fans, so the restaurant chain has sent a letter on behalf of the “Save Our Season” movement. If the season kicks off again by July 20th, anyone who has signed their petition will receive a free six piece wing deal.

Abilene will soon be home to another Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location as the country’s largest barbecue chain continues to grow its numbers. As one of many locations in development or opening this year, the Abilene store will celebrate its grand opening with door prizes and a $1 barbeque sandwich. This location is being opened by Dwain Carpenter.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will also be coming to airports around the country soon if the chain has its way. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is home to one popular location, and the chain is discussing new agreements with other international airports. The one airport location is full sized and offers the same menu as every other location.