Industry veteran was CFO of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

RELATED: • Starbucks warns of consumer shift to online shopping • Starbucks to roll out innovations in mobile platform • More restaurant technology news

Consumer Reports survey reveals diners' preferred limited-service restaurants

This is part of Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 100 report, a proprietary census ranking the foodservice industry’s largest restaurant chains and companies by sales and unit data, among other metrics.

Companies’ IT divisions become a crucial part of the revenue stream

Push to remain relevant also includes online ordering, new branding campaign

All restaurants in northern California will offer Sofritas, a tofu-based protein

New chief executive Donata Russell Major discusses the company’s plans for 2013 and beyond

Analysts say the fast-casual segment is set to maintain its industry-leading expansion.

California Tortilla, Cousins Subs, Daphne’s California Greek, Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Muscle Maker Grill and Panda Express also introduce new items