Sweetgreen turnaround plan: 5 strategies to drive restaurant traffic and profitability

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Following its Q2 2026 earnings report, Sweetgreen executives outlined how the fast casual chain plans to improve operations, increase transactions, leverage AI…

5 restaurant pricing trends operators must know from Q2 2026 consumer data

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Revenue Management Solutions’ latest consumer report reveals how restaurant guests are responding to higher prices, changing value expectations and shifting…

3 things fast casual operators can steal from Starbucks' turnaround quarter

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The company's latest earnings call shows how targeted store upgrades, daypart-focused operations and smarter loyalty perks helped fuel growth — and why the…

Fast Casual Hall of Fame honoring Geoff Alexander, Mark Brezinski, Darden Coors at Executive Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The 2026 Fast Casual Hall of Fame will recognize three restaurant executives whose leadership has shaped innovation, technology adoption and growth across the…

How 1 Penn Station franchise is turning teen hires into tomorrow's leaders

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Restaurants seeing a shortage in young workers may want to take a page out of Genral Manager Taylar Richardson's book.

Biscuit Belly acquires 35 Maple Street Biscuit Company locations to triple footprint

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Co-founder Lauren Coulter opens up about the "once-in-a-lifetime" deal — from how it will reshape the brand's growth strategy to the plan for winning over…

4 ways AI-using restaurants are cutting food, labor costs to outpace competitors

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Restaurant365's mid-year survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. locations shows exactly how AI adopters are pulling ahead — creating what the company calls the…

Hot dogs jump 3.6%, coffee up 7.1%: Toast's June price data

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Toast's June 2026 data shows hot dogs, cold brew and coffee posting the steepest year-over-year price increases across the industry.

Ranch is no longer a side character on the menu

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

I wrote a few weeks ago about how Slim Chickens' timing on its ranch remix couldn't have been better, landing right as international soccer fans discovered…

Restaurant Catering Workshop keynote to reveal the 'hidden' drivers of catering growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The keynote opens a full day of education focused on helping restaurant operators build stronger catering businesses. Throughout the workshop, attendees will…

Pinkbox owner acquires Hot Dog on a Stick

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Stephen Siegel, the founder of Amazing Brands, said the acquisition of the 80-year-old brand will launch a new phase of national and international expansion…

Why Chipotle is funding these 6 emerging brands

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

July 8, 2026

The chain's Cultivate Next will fund Benchmark Labs, IMIO, Clean Crop Technologies, Athian, SIMPLi and PopID.

Nominations now open for Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nominations will close July 28, 2026.

Is the pumpkin-spice latte to blame for the fruity coffee trend?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Remember when we all thought adding a little pumpkin spice to our morning brew was the height of culinary rebellion? It turns out that was just the gateway…

Why Slim Chickens Ranch Remix is arriving at the perfect time

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Most of us are familiar with Gen Z's obsession with sauces, but the latest dipping craze is catching fire globally, thanks in part to international visitors…

Why the 'pizza party vs. raise' debate reveals a bigger catering opportunity

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

New data on workplace meals shows employees are more productive, more connected and more likely to return to the office when food is provided, creating a clear…

How Starbucks’ new leadership role could help more women advance in the restaurant industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The coffee chain will hire over 300 coffeehouse coaches over the next month, with thousands more by the end of the calendar year. It could be a huge step to…

Wonder-owned Grubhub launches ChatGPT ordering integration

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

June 19, 2026

In an effort to capture customers using AI platforms for daily digital discovery, Grubhub has launched an integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing users to…

Wonder, Dave’s Hot Chicken Real Estate VPs reveal growth strategies

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Real estate strategy is central to growth for restaurant brands, and Wonder and Dave's Hot Chicken are taking different approaches to scale. In a podcast…

'Going Live with Fast Casual Nation and Shake Shack:' Inside 'Project Catalyst' and what comes next

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

We are not talking about transformation in theory. We are talking about what it looks like inside a brand that is actively doing the work.