With growth stalling, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) is mulling changes that threaten to turn the burrito chain into what founder Steve Ells said it would never be: another fast-food joint. Ells, a classically trained chef, built a cult brand by wowing diners with a tightly edited menu of sustainably sourced food and helped pioneer the “fast casual” category. Continue

IMMOKALLEE, Fla. (AP) — A top Immokalee produce company faces a federal whistleblower lawsuit after an ex-employee alleged it hired illegal immigrants and offered him a five-figure sum to keep quiet.

The Naples Daily News (http://bit.ly/VJyvv7) reported Thursday that the complaint was filed in federal court in Fort Myers. Brian Bishop contended that after 14 years with Lipman Produce, formerly Six L's, executives fired him as chief information officer two days after he emailed superiors over field worker hiring practices.

The complaint alleges that Bishop refused to sign a settlement of $84,000 in return for his silence after his termination.

The complaint alleges the executives being sued benefited from racketeering because their annual bonus and the company's profits "could not have been achieved with legal farming labor."

The company didn't comment.

October 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // Winston-Salem, NC – As a small forward for the Orlando Magic, Quentin Richardson is best known for dribbling, passing and shooting.

But the former first round draft pick also has a keen interest in business development, and recently became a multi-unit franchisee for East Coast Wings & Grill, a North Carolina-based concept known for its 75 flavors of award-winning buffalo-style wings.

Together with JacksonBrown Hospitality Group, a Chicago-based company that recently helped develop and operate such properties as Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Richardson has committed to opening 10 East Coast Wings & Grill restaurants in Orlando over the next seven years. The first restaurant is expected to open in the first quarter of 2013.  Continue