Panera Bread (I appreciate their free Wifi) reported company-owned same-store sales increase of 3.3% for its third quarter ended Sept. 29, 2009. 

Franchise-operated same-store sales increased 2.5%, marking a systemwide increase of 2.8% compared to the same period last year. The company-owned comps increase showcased transaction growth of 1.8% for the quarter, and average check growth of 1.5%. Average check growth was comprised of retail price increases of approximately 2.25% and negative mix impact of approximately -0.75%.

Buffalo Wild Wings company-owned restaurant sales increased 26% for the quarter versus the same period in 2008.

The growth was driven by a company-owned same-store sales increase of 0.8% and 33 additional company-owned restaurants in operation at the end of the 2009 third quarter. Franchise-owned same-store sales increased 1.9% for the quarter and 52 additional franchised restaurants were in operation during that time.

Discounting hasn’t worked so far for Chili’s and  Applebee’s who began offering 2 for $20 meal deals.  The problem is total customer traffic is off and these discounts tend to amplify the problem because profit margins are reduced on the customers that do come in.  Even P.F. Changs, and Benihana are seeing 10%+ slowdowns in sales just from a quarter ago.

This is off topic a bit, but nearly all of us has to deal with business cards.  Neil at QuickSprout blog compiled pictures of innovative business card designs.  It’s fun list.  Below are a few of my favorite:

What’s could be worse for Play N Trade and Gamestop than Walmart competing against you in the resale market? Game platform manufactures switching to download-only platforms, so there are no discs or cartridges to buy or re-sell.