With only half a dozen stores, Tossed is a small chain. But its new expansion plans might change that profile. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., gourmet salad chain is taking its concept into kiosks. The modular kiosk design, available in multiple configurations, takes the Tossed concept into malls, food courts and open-air settings where the 12-year-old…

A boffo opening at its first New York store is spurring Texas-based CiCi’s Pizza to continue expanding into new franchise markets. The chain, which has more than 600 stores in 35 states, debuted its first restaurants in Wisconsin and New York; the latter opening was the best in the company’s history, and sales have remained…

There’s a new business model operating at Electrolux Professional. Alberto Zanata, the company’s president, said Electrolux is expanding its project-oriented, full-systems approach to broaden its focus on serving new customer segments. The structure includes three teams—operations, R&D and commercial–and three business units. The Food Service Business Unit is headed by Philippe Zavattiero. Mark Whalen, formerly…

Planet Hollywood International will be expanding Buca di Beppo into the Boston area. The 83-unit casual-dining chain will open four restaurants in Dedham, Lexington, Seekonk and Shrewsbury this fall. According to David Crabtree, Planet Hollywood’s new president and CEO, the units will be conversions from former sister brand Vinny T’s. "We have been looking for…

A high-end hamburger joint that hasn’t opened yet already has more than 300 friends following its construction and menu plans on Facebook. Why all the interest in Tom & Eddie’s? The new suburban Chicago restaurant is the brainchild of former McDonald’s execs Ed Rensi—the man behind the Arch Deluxe—and Tom Dentice. The first Tom &…

Baskin-Robbins is busy with numbers. The chain, now in the midst of its 65th anniversary, just opened its 1,000th store in Japan. The new outlet is located at Decks Tokyo Beach in Tokyo. The Canton, Mass., chain has been in Japan for 37 years. As with the other 999 Baskin-Robbins there, the store is operated…

Registration is ongoing for the Society for Foodservice Management’s National Conference, set for Oct. 4-7 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Fla. The three-day meeting includes business strategy and professional development workshops covering topics such as crisis management and food safety; foodservice contract language; and the who/what/how to’s of sustainable foods and beverages. Also on…

Those accustomed to walking the aisles of the biggest restaurant show in the U.S. will get a taste of foodservice from a European perspective at hogatec, the international trade fair for hotels, gastronomy and catering. The 19th edition of the biennial show is Sept. 12-15 at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. As in years…

With new halls opening at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre this fall, China’s biggest foodservice show is opening a day early. FHC China 2010, the 14th annual international exhibition for food, drink, hospitality foodservice, bakery and retail industries, will now run Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 10-12. The previously announced Nov. 11-13 show dates, running over a…

In a deal approved last week by a federal bankruptcy court, Luby’s Inc. will acquire most of the assets of burger chain Fuddruckers Inc., its parent Magic Brands LLC and their affiliates for about $61 million in cash. The deal is expected to close by July 26. The 96-unit Houston-based cafeteria chain also will assume…