How Mooyah Ops VP helping franchisees land, navigate PPP funds

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Of the Mooyah franchisees who applied for PPP loans, all but four received them, which totaled $3,419,200.

Kansas City couple beating odds to keep restaurant open amid COVID, protests

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Urban cafe KC owners Chef Justin Clark, and his wife, Rashaun, are operating their restaurant and food truck during uncertain times.

Fast Casuals honoring Pride Month with LTOs, donations

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although a parade may not be in the cards this year because of COVID-19, restaurants are still finding ways to honor LGBT Pride Month.

Green Market Cafe launching franchising amid pandemic

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although the pandemic isn't yet behind us, two restaurateurs are moving ahead with franchise plans for their up-and-coming concept, Green Market Cafe.

Starbucks closing 400 stores

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Over the next 18 months, Starbucks will increase convenience-led formats in company-operated locations with drive-thru and curbside pickup options, as well as…

Webinar offers insightful strategy for retailers in the 'new normal' of business

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A free on-demand informative webinar, sponsored by LogMeIn, offers critical insight for retailers getting back to business in the wake of COVID-19.

Following COVID-19: How the virus is affecting the fast casual industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

FastCasual is doing its best to track how restaurants are handling the crisis and will update this story as we gather more information.

Torchy's Tacos reopens nearly all dining rooms

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

CEO of Torchy's Tacos GJ Hart said he is seeing promising numbers in stores where the company has reopened dining rooms in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and…

&pizza gives employees involved in activism paid time off

&pizza takes an active stance on employee activism during a time of national protests around George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

'Converting to Curbside and Delivery' webinar is lesson in pandemic-era adaptability

When the pandemic flipped the operational model for a Texas taco brand to totally off-premise, Crush Taco and POS provider, Revention, responded, exemplifying…

Pandemic speeds up operational changes at Sweetgreen

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Like so many other restaurants around the world, Sweetgreen shifted into crisis mode COVID-19 hit but is now preparing for its version of the "new normal."

Zaxby's shares COVID-19 recovery plan

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

After reading the PPP criteria and realizing that Zaxby's qualified, CMO Joel Bulger said the chain applied and then ended up giving back every cent.

COVID-19 isn't cooling growth at Dave's Hot Chicken

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Since launching its franchise plan in October, the 3-year-old concept has signed deals to develop 100 brick-and-mortar locations and plans to hit 200 by year's…

Latest dine-in data tells story of cautious customers, vanishing workers

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

Restaurant sales data shows the return to dine-in will be a slow and cautious one for customers, according to data and insights provider, Black Box…

Potbelly may close 100 shops, Noodles delays quarterly report

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

As some restaurants around the United States are reopening, COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc on many including Potbelly, based in Chicago, and…

May 26 webinar hones in on curbside pickup, delivery transition tips that work

The pandemic has pushed restaurant curbside pickup and delivery practices to the top of operators' priority lists. Check out this free webinar for one brand's…

Boston Market CEO talks Covid-19 strategy

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although Boston Market has been able to keep the majority of its restaurants open for delivery and curbside orders, CEO Eric Wyatt said he's had to make…

Nathan's Famous tech transformation: Serving customers 'where, when and how' they want it

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

After a solid 102 years in existence, Nathan's Famous — one of the few U.S. brands around for the last pandemic in 1918 — has made a timely tech transformation…

Why Schlotzsky's isn't ready to reopen dining rooms

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although based in Georgia, where restaurants are now allowed to reopen dining rooms, Schlotzsky's has decided against welcoming in-store dining. COO Tory…

To reopen or not to reopen: How soon is too soon?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In all things, someone has to go first, and in the pandemic in which we are now living, the state of Georgia has taken the lead in allowing restaurants to…