Restaurant traffic rebounds post Cyclospora

August 26, 2026

The newest data from Placer.ai reveals restaurant traffic is recovering from the Cyclospora outbreak.

Second Cup names former Wingstop executive Joe Walker CEO

August 4, 2026

Joe Walker, Courtesy of Second Cup Coffee Company, Inc Toronto-based Second Cup Coffee Co. has named former Wingstop executive Joe Walker as its CEO.

Traffic counts show signs of recovery post Cyclospora

August 3, 2026

Restaurant chains that experienced sharp declines in foot traffic following the recent Cyclospora outbreak are beginning to recover, although some brands…

Taco Bell responds to Cyclospora outbreak, becomes first major chain to pull at-risk ingredients

by Valerie Gritton

A Cyclospora outbreak has restaurant leaders on alert.

Former McDonald’s operator opens Paris Baguette in Thousand Oaks

June 22, 2026

Former McDonald's owner-operator Gabriel Vesci has opened a Paris Baguette cafe in Thousand Oaks, California, as part of a Southern California expansion plan.

The return of the Unicorn Frappuccino: Can Starbucks avoid the headaches this time around?

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

When Starbucks created the drink nearly nine years ago, it generated significant consumer interest, leading to thousands of social media posts but also…

6 ways restaurants are making Valentine's Day 'wonderfully weird' in 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Forget flowers and candy; we are doing bro-quets, McNugget Caviar and puppy love.

Fast casuals hanging on as consumers prioritize groceries amid cuts

July 1, 2025

While U.S. consumers are spending more than twice as much on groceries as on food at restaurants, fast casual brands remain a significant portion of their…

Using customer data to boost loyalty

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

A panel at the upcoming Restaurant & Innovation Summit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from March 11 to 13 will examine how restaurants can leverage data to…

Top 5 reasons to attend RFIS in Myrtle Beach

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The early bird deadline ends Friday, Dec. 20.

Georgia-based Knuckies opening in Walmart

August 12, 2024

Founded in 2019, Georgia-based Knuckies Franchise Company LLC is opening inside 14 Walmart stores in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee…

Restaurant marketing: 6 ways to win media attention

by Kate Finley — Founder, President, Belle Communication

Earnings reports will always stand out, but even grand openings are no longer a coverage guarantee. When announcements are few and far between or stories fall…

Why restaurants don't really need fully automated kitchens

by Kathleen Siddell — Content Specialist, alwaysAI

Transitioning to a fully automated kitchen can be unnecessarily costly and time-consuming, according to alwaysAI's Kathleen Siddell, who recommends testing…

Restaurant chains raise over $12M for minimum wage battle

October 3, 2022

Big food chains, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks and McDonald's, have raised over $12 million dollars in efforts to reverse a California law that…

Starbucks pulling out of Russia after 15 years

May 23, 2022

Starbucks is ending its relationship with Russia after 15 years, according to a CNBC.com report.

Starbucks tops social media paid advertising

November 19, 2021

Starbucks' paid ad campaigns are the top paid share-of-voice, defined by the percentage of sponsored impressions on social media, according to a study by…

McDonald's exec to talk about diversity, inclusion at 1-day QSR event

Ariane Panter, senior director of global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and corporate function support at McDonald’s, will discuss diversity…

Digital marketing plays big role as QSRs 're-get' customers

Creative brand marketing, especially digital advertisements, will be among the most important promotional tools QSRs can leverage as consumers return to their…

Restaurants hungry for digital signage

by Kevin Damask — Editor, Digital Signage Today

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital signage technology upgrades at drive-thrus were a mixed bag across the fast casual and quick-service restaurant…

Chicken shortage sends prices upward

May 6, 2021

Chicken prices have more than doubled year to date, and wing prices have set new records on account of a shortage, according to Urner Barry, a market research…