Now c-store operations can serve the same amount of freshly-brewed coffee in just half the traditional space. The new Gemini from Wilbur Curtis features an updated, narrow satellite server that doubles serving capacity and saves valuable counter space. Double-wall construction in each slim satellite maintains coffee temperature and preserves its rich, bold flavor for extended…

New Starbucks Petites, a line of eight sweets is rolling out at stores now. Starbucks is celebrating its 40th birthday this month, having opened its first store in Seattle on March 30, 1971. The world’s largest coffee chain with 17,000 locations in 55 countries drew in close to $11 billion last year, just posted its…

Competition is percolating for gourmet sales, forcing c-store owners to elevate their offerings. By John Lofstock, Associate Editor. When people get more, they expect more—and that, as much as anything, helps to explain the challenge facing convenience store operators who emphasize coffee. Coffee quality at the retail level has improved to a point where what…

Balvor survey highlights the foodservice concerns, focus and sentiments held by convenience store operators heading into 2011. By David Bishop, Contributing Editor. Cautious because a number of external factors, ranging from continued high unemployment, constrained consumer spending, and weak construction and housing markets are creating especially stiff headwinds for their core shopper base. Optimistic as…

Franchise development seminar aims to draw candidates with foodservice experience. Dunkin’ Donuts, seeking to expand its presence into San Antonio, is planning a seminar in the city on Feb. 23 to discuss franchise opportunities brewing in the market. Dunkin’ Donuts’ development throughout San Antonio is part of a steady and strategic growth strategy, which includes…

“(We’re) looking for qualified candidates with foodservice, operations and real estate experience to join our team,” says Dunkin’ Donuts spokesperson. Dunkin’ Donuts aims to increase its franchise locations in the U.S., and this week announced it is looking for franchisees in Green Bay, Wis., and the surrounding areas of La Crosse and Eau Claire. Dunkin’…

Thorntons is expanding its coffee program and is now filling new positions created by its coffee initiative. Thorntons is launching a new coffee program, company-wide, starting in the Louisville/Southern Indiana Market, and plans to add up to 160 new jobs over the next year to support its new coffee program. Thorntons will be accepting applications…

Dunkin’ Donuts expands, offering single and multi-unit opportunities with no minimum unit requirements. Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding in Chicago and seeking new franchise agreements in the city. Most recently, Dunkin’ Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with Sam Patel for two restaurants in Chicago.  The first restaurant opened in December 2010 at the University…

Seattle-based Starbucks is rolling out a new drink size called Trenta—the chain’s biggest drink size yet, Reuters reported. At  31 ounces, the Trenta is just seven ounces larger than its Venti cups, which currently are the largest size on the Starbucks menu. The Trenta size is debuting in 14 states, including Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas,…

Mountain Mudd Espresso drive-thru specialty coffee, a brand of CHS, has been named to Entrepreneur’s 32nd annual Franchise 500 list. The Franchise 500 reflects such factors as financial strength and stability, growth rate, size, number of years in business, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and availability of financing. “We are very honored to be…