MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Boston Pizza is celebrating a milestone with the opening of its 350th location in Canada in Devon, Alta., this week. This news comes a day after the company reported record franchise sales.

“This is a tremendous milestone for Boston Pizza, further positioning us as Canada’s largest casual-dining brand,” said Ken Otto, COO for Boston Pizza International.

VAUGHAN, Ont. — Don Robinson has retired from his post as CEO of Cara, according to a company statement, which also announced that Steve Smith and Rick McNabb have been appointed to the new “office of the president”, and Michael Norris has been named chairman of the Board.

Robinson joined Cara as CEO in 2006 and has been instrumental in reshaping the organization by branding and streamlining operations.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Boston Pizza has had a good quarter, with record franchise sales of $186.3 million and same-store sales growth (SSSG) of 3.2 per cent.

"Boston Pizza's national promotions during the period, including "Hockey's Back," "Finger Cooking" and "Careful You Don't Become a Foodie," attracted guests to three distinct areas of our restaurants: the sports bar, take-out and delivery and [the] dining room. This approach helped drive positive SSSG of 3.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, which is particularly impressive given the strong comparable SSSG posted in the same period one year ago," said Mark Pacinda, president and CEO of BPI.

TORONTO — The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s (CRFA) recent Restaurant Outlook Survey (based on Q1 2013) shows one-third of restaurateurs expect sales growth to pick up over the next six months.

“With the bad weather behind us, restaurant operators are feeling more positive about business in the coming months,” said Garth Whyte, president and CEO, CRFA.