Millennial-owned cafe raises nearly $200K in crowdfunding investments

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Citizens Cafe, an Australia-inspired coffee shop based in NYC, hopes to raise $5 million to fuel national expansion.

Super Bowl powers up engagement with digital signage, menu boards

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Super Bowl LV is upon us. And although the fan experience will be different this year, digital signage is still helping make that experience memorable. Ping HD…

Chipotle CEO reveals 5 strategies to combat Q4 earnings miss

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Growth in digital sales was the highlight of the quarter, growing 177.2% and accounting for 49% of sales.

Can Everytable's new franchise model cut racial inequality?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Everytable CEO Sam Polk discusses how his latest operations idea — the Social Equity Franchise —removes barriers to business ownership for Black and Latinx…

Starbucks on slow path to recovery, COO stepping down

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although sales fell short of Wall Street's expectations, Q1 earnings of 61 cents per share topped estimates of 55 cents per share but declined 22.8…

NRA calls Raise the Wage Act 'impossible challenge'

The National Restaurant Association spoke out Tuesdayon the reintroduced legislation to raise the hourly minimum wage to $15 over the next five years.

Feb 4 webinar focus: 'How to Prioritize Mobile Marketing Initiatives for Quick-service Restaurants'

Future-proofing your QSR's customer engagement approach through mobile marketing is no longer just an option, it's a necessity. Check out this free webinar for…

Free webinar: How restaurants can use AI to become more agile

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

In a pandemic-stricken restaurant environment, staying nimble means staying in business. And for QSRs, AI and machine learning is proving to be one of the best…

2 industry leaders looking to invest in the 'next restaurant leader'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Dave Pace, board member of Red Robin and former CEO of Jamba Inc., and Andy Pforzheimer, a co-founder of the Barcelona and Bartaco brands, have come together…

How Tropical Smoothie pulled off record-breaking year during COVID-19

While the pandemic destroyed thousands of restaurants last year, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe had one of its best years to date. It posted its ninth…

Fast casuals debuting healthy menu options

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

California-based brands Rubio's and Fatburger are offering vegetarian options, and Freebirds, based in Austin, has debuted cauliflower rice. Juice It Up has…

How fried chicken is laying 'golden eggs' across US

Wanna know what fried chicken brand got the most store visits in 2020? Read on.

&pizza president after DC melee: 'There's a lot to process'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The melee in the U.S. Capital Wednesday touched everyone, particularly businesses like &pizza that are based in Washington, D.C.

Schlotzsky’s testing 2 drive-thru formats

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Schlotzsky's has designed two drive-thru models to focus heavily on off-premise orders.

Why NYC's Sweet Chick rebranded to fast casual concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sweet Chick, a full-service brand created seven years ago in Brooklyn by New York native, restaurateur and entrepreneur John Seymour, has a new name and has…

The 2021 menu battle: Comfort food vs healthier options

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Menu trends experts from Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Luna Grill, Culinary Tides, Qdoba and Pure Green predict the coming year's top menu trends.

Relief is at hand: Legislators OK $900B COVID-era relief package

Legislators have singed a $900 billion deal to provide pandemic-era relief to individuals and businesses, including restaurants nationally.

Is your restaurant technology ready for 2021?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Restaurateurs learned a lot about the potentially business-saving qualities of restaurant tech in 2020, as the pandemic forced brands to find ways to still…

Sweetgreen revving up sales via drive-in concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Calling it an "updated, healthy version of the traditional drive-thru," Sweetgreen said the drive-in will feature tech-enabled ordering as well as an…

Modern Market gets 'Honest' about pizza

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Operating out of a Modern Market in Broomfield, Colorado, the delivery-only concept comes from the chefs behind Modern Market, a 26-unit healthy fast casual…