Why fast casuals should offer snack-packed menus

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Today's consumer no longer eats the standard three meals per day. Fewer than half (43%) of consumers in 2018, said they ate three meals a day with a few snacks…

The do's and don'ts of a franchise store remodel

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

When introducing a remodel, franchise organizations need to have a plan that includes soliciting input from franchisees as well as keeping employees informed…

Wow Bao tops FastCasual's list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Five Guys takes home the Fast Casual Excellence in Food Safety Award.

How Yelp uses customer data to help restaurants

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

As more guests use social media to share their dining experiences, companies such as Yelp — which began as a restaurant review site but has expanded into a…

Backcountry Delicatessen rebrands as Yampa Sandwich Company, ready to franchise

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The world needs another sandwich franchise, according to Peter Boniface, who opened Colorado's Backcountry Delicatessen 20 years ago with his high school…

Dickey's, Slapfish, Smoke's share learnings from overseas expansion

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Franchisors who have ventured into the Middle East shared experiences at the recent Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Louisville.

Why Teriyaki Madness CEO is confident about 500-unit growth strategy

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Claiming to more than double your restaurant unit count in one year may seem pretty gutsy, but Teriyaki Madness CEO Michael Haith isn't afraid to say it aloud.

How Cheba Hut attracts cannabis fans while still welcoming those who don't partake

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although the brand's theme centers around marijuana, VP of Marketing Brian Loeb said the chain is dedicated to providing an eating experience that isn't about…

How to handle labor issues in restaurants

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Labor is an issue that restaurants have struggled with since time immemorial. Restaurant leaders at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit discussed…

How Wing It On got its wheels

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

When partners Matt Ensero and Justin Egan hired Eric Legere as a manager to develop and oversee the first Wing It On Wheels food truck, they knew they had a…

All aboard the digital train: Your Pie, Fazoli's, Wings Etc won't get left at the station

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

At the March Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Louisville, three brands shared their challenges in catching the moving train that is digital…

3 eating trends elevating spring menus

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In-season produce, healthful eating and a case of the munchies are driving the season's menu additions.

Why the full-service market is ripe for Dig Inn

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

While the price point and name of the full-service concept is still up in the air, Eskin said Dig Inn's mission of helping chefs learn to cook and exposing…

Now Trending: Diners embracing comfort foods, still open to trying new things

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

Diners are feeling a little less than confident about the overall "state of things, which means culinary developers would be wise to stay a little closer to…

Wing It On trucking along Conneticut

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Wing It On, a fast casual chain focused on chicken wings, has found food trucks a logical expansion. The truck leverages synergies with the brick-and-mortar…

A&W Restaurants, Pie Five Pizza leaders help Summit attendees solve the mystery of big data

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

"Big Data is like a mystery novel," Brian Lee, data analytics practice director, Wavicle Data Solutions, said during a session at the Restaurant Franchising …

Using social media to grow your catering sales

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Social media has delivered new marketing opportunities for restaurants, but it has also raised the bar, especially since customers now expect catering services…

Why Fiesta Group is on a mission to save lives

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nearly 15 years after receiving a kidney transplant from his sister, Richard Stockinger, CEO and president of Fiesta Restaurant Group, is still on a mission to…

Don't let 'the cones' block improvements to your customer experience

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

One metric for the restaurant industry to work on is the current 6-8 percent loyalty app downloads. It can be better.

Can smaller brands win customers over with coffee offerings?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

To help smaller brands create coffee concoctions to compete for customers, Nestlé Professional has created the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Majesto, a $300 coffee maker…